Pinetown Aikikai - Aikido Club

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT TO THE USUAL GYM ROUTINE?

If you are tired of the noise, mirrors, and crowds of commercial gyms, we’d love to invite you to join us on the mat.

We train in traditional Aikido right here in Pinetown. It is a fascinating martial art because it does not rely on brute strength. Instead, it is all about balance, movement, and learning how to calmly redirect an attacker's energy. It is practical self-defence, a great physical workout, and a brilliant way to clear your mind and de-stress after a long day.

Our classes are small, welcoming, and entirely ego-free. You do not need any martial arts experience or a specific level of fitness to start. Everyone works at their own pace, and we support each other as we learn.

📍 WHERE TO FIND US:
Pinetown Gymnastics Club (a safe, spacious, and fully equipped facility)

👥 WHO IT IS FOR:
Beginners of all ages are incredibly welcome, and no prior experience is needed.

🎁 FIRST SESSION IS COMPLETELY FREE!

There is no pressure at all. Just come along, see the facility, and find out if you enjoy the movement and the vibe.

If you are curious or have any questions, feel free to drop me a message or call me (Frederic) on 072 384 7100 to book a spot. You can also view our full schedule and grab our digital flyer here:

🌐 https://ptnaikikai.co.za/welcome

Looking for a unique activity the whole family can do together? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🥋

​If you want a martial art that teaches real-world safety, focus, and respect—without encouraging kids to punch or kick others—Aikido might be exactly what you are looking for.

​Pinetown Aikikai offers a safe, structured space where adults and learners can build sustainable fitness, core stability, and incredible coordination. Rather than teaching how to fight, Aikido teaches how to defuse conflict calmly and handle pressure with confidence.

​It's an incredible way to bond, get active, and learn life-saving spatial awareness together.

​📍 Location: Pinetown Gymnastics Club facility, 11 Lello Rd

📅 Family/Learner Class: Sundays at 8:30 AM (Adult classes also Tue/Thu evening)
​Your first lesson is completely free. Come step onto the mat and experience the difference!

👉 See our class schedule and club details here:

ptnaikikai.co.za

Aikido — The Art of Peace. This isn’t your average martial art. It’s fun, focused, and fueled by compassion rather than conflict. It’s about learning to stay calm under pressure and keeping your mental awareness in any circumstance. If you want a practice that builds your mind as much as your movement, come join us on the mat at Pinetown Aikikai. Your first lesson is free.

In aikido, we coordinate the body to move as one whole integrated unit. This way strength is not confined to a segmented appendage, instead, we source power from the ground with an alignment so energy can flow.
If we constantly rely on upper body strength during technique, we might be successful for decades but as we age strength will dissipate and whole body coordination becomes essential.
The qualitative change into whole body coordination is a counterintuitive skill.

Become aware of 3 external connections: the shoulder to the hip, the elbow to the knee, and the hand to the foot.
The shoulder/hip relation involve large joints in the upper and lower body. These drive movement.
The elbow/knee relation maintain the quality of body flow. We drop the elbows, we bend the knees.
The hand/foot relation directs the flow of this energy. Fingers lead with a ‘kokyuing’ hand expression.
These 3 points harmonize and coordinate for unified and cohesive movement in our expanded ‘sphere’.

Increase consciousness with an awareness to observe these specific connections.
Study to develop an understanding
of exactly how the whole integrated body moves.

G. Breeland, 6th dan

𝐀𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 [𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄]

In a recent interview with AZERNEWS, Emil Mammadov, Vice President of Aikido Aikikai Clubs, detailed how Aikido in Azerbaijan is evolving beyond martial practice into a tool for personal growth and mental well-being.

He explained how the meditative and flowing movements of Aikido help individuals, particularly PTSD sufferers, reconnect with their bodies, rebuild confidence, and restore balance.

Mammadov’s Aikido-Based Somatic Integration (ABSI) program adapts training for trauma survivors, war veterans, women, and people with disabilities, highlighting the art’s therapeutic potential.

Through the power of energy redirection and harmony, Aikido offers a method to manage stress, navigate conflict, and cultivate inner stability. This approach reflects the growing recognition of martial arts as a holistic path to healing.

For readers seeking further insights, the full report is available at AZERNEWS: https://www.azernews.az/sports/247486.html

Aikido Master reveals power to heal and transform [EXCLUSIVE] Aikido, the "art of peace," is a Japanese martial art where harmony and fluidity take precedence over force.