# Leicester Aikikai Dojo

> Traditional Aikido in the East Midlands, UK

## Overview

Leicester Aikikai (レスター 合気会) is a UK Aikikai Aikido dojo based in Leicester teaching traditional aikido. We started in May 2013 with the aim to ensure everyone is welcome to join and train in a friendly environment.

## Website Information

- **URL**: https://leicesteraikikai.com
- **Organisation**: Leicester Aikikai Dojo
- **Location**: Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester, UK
- **Affiliation**: United Kingdom Aikikai (UKA), Joint Aikikai Council (JAC)
- **Style**: Traditional Aikido (Aikikai)
- **App Type**: Single Page Application (SPA) built with Vue 3 and Vue Router (HTML5 history mode)

## Main Sections

### Home (/)
The homepage introduces Leicester Aikikai, showcases the dojo's journey since 2013, and provides information about:
- Welcome section
- Dojo history and journey
- Affiliation information (UKA, JAC)
- Class times and location
- Instructor section
- Contact information

The home page also links to class schedule and practical joining information; classes are suitable for adults and older teens, including complete beginners.

### Events (/events)
Lists upcoming and past aikido events, courses, and seminars including:
- Dojo courses with guest instructors
- Joint courses with other dojos (e.g., Melton Byakko-kan)
- Beginners courses
- Anniversary celebrations
- Each event has a detail page at `/events/YYYY-MM-DD/event-slug` where `YYYY-MM-DD` is the event date and `event-slug` is a hyphenated version of the event title

### Blog (/blog)
The blog index at `/blog` is in place as a centralized content-driven section.
- Current article: `/blog/2026-06-14/leicester-aikikai-aikido-guest-instructors-july-2026`
- Blog content is maintained centrally so posts can be added without editing the page layout directly

#### Upcoming Events (2025)

**December 14, 2025 - Xmas 2025 course with Melton Byakko-Kan Aikido**
- Location: Jubilee Sports Centre, Melton Mowbray
- Time: 10:30am - 2:30pm
- Price: £10
- Instructors: Naoko Suzuki, Sergio Cardoso, Antonis Pavlakis, Terry Mickowski
- URL: `/events/2025-12-14/xmas-2025-course-with-melton-byakko-kan-aikido`

**November 28, 2025 - Guest instructor Iain Cooper sensei**
- Location: Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester
- Time: 7pm - 9pm
- Instructor: Iain Cooper (4th dan Fukushidoin), Antonis Pavlakis
- URL: `/events/2025-11-28/guest-instructor-iain-cooper-sensei`

**November 22, 2025 - Aikido Course at Fight Ministry Hull**
- Location: Fight Ministry, Hull
- Time: 2pm - 5pm
- Instructors: Philip Smith (Shihan), Antonis Pavlakis
- URL: `/events/2025-11-22/aikido-course-at-fight-ministry-hull`

**November 14, 2025 - Guest instructor Tim Sullivan sensei from Warwick University**
- Location: Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester
- Time: 7pm - 9pm
- Instructors: Tim Sullivan, Antonis Pavlakis
- URL: `/events/2025-11-14/guest-instructor-tim-sullivan-sensei-from-warwick-university`

#### Upcoming Events (2026)

**September 13, 2026 - Joint Course with Tokon Aikido from Grantham**
- Location: Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester
- Time: 12:30pm - 3:30pm
- Price: £15
- Instructors: Antonis Pavlakis, Sergio Cardoso
- Description: Joint aikido course bringing together Leicester Aikikai and Tokon Aikido from Grantham for traditional Aikikai training
- URL: `/events/2026-09-13/joint-course-with-tokon-aikido-from-grantham-september-2026`

**July 19, 2026 - Course with Stuart Lovering 6th dan shidoin from Tudor Grange dojo**
- Location: Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester
- Time: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Price: Adults - £20, Concession - £15, Under 18's - £12
- Instructors: Antonis Pavlakis, Stuart Lovering (6th Dan shidoin from Tudor Grange dojo)
- Description: Three-class aikido course with guest instructor and mock grading session for yudansha
- URL: `/events/2026-07-19/course-with-stuart-lovering-6th-dan-shidoin-from-tudor-grange-dojo`

**March 29, 2026 - Course with Neil Mould 6th Dan shidoin from Sotenjuku dojo**
- Location: Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester
- Time: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Price: Adults - £15, Concession - £12, Under 18's - £8
- Instructors: Antonis Pavlakis, Neil Mould (6th Dan shidoin from Sotenjuku dojo)
- URL: `/events/2026-03-29/course-with-neil-mould-6th-dan-shidoin-from-sotenjuku-dojo`

#### Past Events (Selected)

**June 11, 2023 - Dojo 10th Year Anniversary Course**
- Guest instructors: Ian Grubb (6th dan Shidoin), Terry Mickowski (4th dan Fukushidoin), Iain Cooper (3rd dan Fukushidoin), Antonis Pavlakis (3rd dan Fukushidoin)
- A milestone celebration bringing together instructors from UK Aikikai

**December 10, 2023 - Joint course with Melton Byakko-Kan Aikido**
- Regular collaborative event with neighboring dojo
- Instructors: Naoko Suzuki, Terry Mickowski, Andy Thompson, Antonis Pavlakis

**October 22, 2023 - Leicester Aikikai Dojo Course**
- Guest instructor: Iain Cooper sensei
- 4-hour intensive training session

**September 15, 2023 - Aikido Beginner's Course**
- 3-month program running from September to December 2023
- Introduction to aikido fundamentals, ukemi, and self-defence

#### Event Types

- **Dojo Courses**: Regular courses at Leicester Aikikai with guest instructors from UK Aikikai and other associations
- **Joint Courses**: Collaborative events with other dojos (particularly Melton Byakko-Kan Aikido, Warwick University Aikido)
- **Beginner's Courses**: 3-month introductory programs for new students
- **Anniversary Events**: Special milestone celebrations (e.g., 10th anniversary in 2023)
- **Regional Courses**: Events where Leicester Aikikai instructors teach at other dojos across the UK
- **Guest Instructor Sessions**: Regular training sessions featuring visiting sensei

#### Event Locations

- **Primary Venue**: Aylestone Leisure Centre, 2 Knighton Lane East, Leicester, LE2 6LU

#### Typical Event Structure

- Event durations range from 2 hours (evening sessions) to 4-5 hours (weekend courses)
- Pricing typically: Adults £10-£20, Concessions £8-£15, Under 12s often free for members
- Open to practitioners from all aikido associations
- Mix of fundamentals, advanced techniques, and weapons training depending on the event

Actual dates, times, instructors, and prices may change; always refer to the Events page for the latest information.

### Syllabus (/syllabus)
Complete aikido syllabus information with grade-specific pages:
- `/syllabus/6th-kyu` - 6th Kyu grade techniques
- `/syllabus/5th-kyu` - 5th Kyu grade techniques
- `/syllabus/4th-kyu` - 4th Kyu grade techniques
- `/syllabus/3rd-kyu` - 3rd Kyu grade techniques

### Instructors (/instructors)
Information about dojo instructors:
- `/instructors/antonis-pavlakis` - Chief instructor profile

## Important Files

- `/sitemap.xml` - Auto-generated sitemap for search engines
- `/robots.txt` - Search engine directives
- `/_redirects` - Netlify SPA routing configuration
- `/docs/welcome-to-aikido-uka-booklet.pdf` - Welcome booklet for new students

## Content Guidelines

- The dojo teaches traditional Aikikai style aikido
- Affiliated with UK Aikikai (UKA) and Joint Aikikai Council (JAC)
- Kyu grades recognized nationally, Dan grades internationally
- Non-competitive martial art focused on using opponent's strength
- Welcoming environment for all ages and skill levels
- First class is FREE

A note on affiliations: UKA is the national Aikikai organisation; JAC is the Joint Aikikai Council which helps coordinate recognition of grades nationally and internationally.

## Contact Information

Classes are held at Aylestone Leisure Centre in Leicester. The dojo welcomes visitors from other aikido associations and offers a friendly training environment.

## Last Updated

August 2026