Better aikido facilities to enhance students’
experience
Kuala Lumpur: Yoshinkan Aikido Malaysia (YAM) has upgraded the
facilities at its main dojo, or training hall, in Kuala Lumpur to
enhance the training experience of both current and future students of
the Japanese martial art.
“We have had a large increase in the number of people training with us;
they include the very young and more senior practitioners. As a
consequence, our training facilities have to keep up with the needs of
our students,” said Sonny Loke, YAM’s chief instructor.
Yoshinkan aikido, a style of the of the martial art founded by Morihei
Ueshiba in the 1930s, has a highly structured approach which makes it
relatively easy to learn. But having sufficient space to practise in is
essential, according to Loke.
“One feature of Yoshinkan aikido is that the techniques can be taught
to many students at the same time,” Loke said. “This is one of the
reasons why the Tokyo Metropolitan Riot Police and policewomen’s force
chose it for their syllabus.”
“What we’ve now done is to widen and lengthen the floor area, which
consists of nearly 50 tatami, or Japanese mats; as a result, more
students can now train together.”
To improve the training hall’s air quality and to cut out external
noises, Loke has also installed air-conditioning. “We are near the main
road and lately, pollution in the city has made training with the
windows open very unpleasant.”
Current students now also enjoy better changing facilities, complete
with showers, while prospective students can have a preview of what they
can learn from a more comfortable watching area at the side of mats.
A new and bigger office facility at one end of the hall comes complete
with e-mail, Internet and fax facilities, and offers a quieter area to
consult with the chief instructor on training options—or just to have a
cup of tea!
“Overall, we’ve tried to make the atmosphere here airier, brighter and
more trainee-friendly. We want our students to feel as if they’re part
of a community—a family, if you like,” Loke said. “It’s part of our
efforts to build individual and team spirit; after all, we train better
when we all train together in a happy, convivial spirit.”
Yoshinkan Aikido Malaysia was established in 1995 to promote the art of
Yoshinkan Aikido and is affiliated to the International Yoshinkan Aikido
Federation (www.yoshinkan-aikido.org). Anyone interested in finding out
more about Yoshinkan aikido should contact Sonny Loke on 03-9200 1080
(office), 012-213 1829 (mobile) or through e-mail at yoshin@tm.net.my.
YOSHINKAN AIKIDO MALAYSIA
July 20th 2004
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