New adult members:
First 2 Months for the price of 1
plus free uniform and belt!
*
Enroll with a friend and both of you get 20% discount for the first two monthly dues!
Upon registration, new students will also receive a complementary copy of the unique Lakeshore Aikido Club Student Manual.
Introduction to Aikido
Every first Monday of the month, the Lakeshore Aikido Club welcomes everyone to start a FREE introduction to Aikido lesson dedicated to beginners (adult and young adult). Please join us and embrace this modern Japanese martial art in a friendly and welcoming community in the heart of Evanston!
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art (DO) based on the idea of harmonizing (AIKI) with your opponent to peacefully resolve conflict. The goal is subduing not harming. The Aikido practitioner uses circular movements and joint locks to redirect an attacker's force and neutralize them. Aikido training is physically demanding, but it doesn't rely on strength. It emphasizes developing endurance, flexibility, stability, and situational awareness. Aikido is a non-competitive activity, and there are no tournaments. Instead, students work with partners to improve their techniques. These include throws, strikes, pins, and joint locks. The goal is to use the attacker's momentum against them.
The Introduction to Aikido will include the following:
- Body conditioning, exercizes, and stretching (aiki taiso)
- Aikido safe falling and rolling (ukemi)
- Martial arts principles
- Understanding Aikido Self-defense
- Aikido principles, etiquette, and values
- “Silent meditation” (mokuso) and mindfulness
- Aikido movements and postures (kamae and taisabaki)
- Aikido basic techniques (kihon waza)
During the introduction class, visitors will not be required to wear an Aikido uniform (gi). However, everyone will be welcomed to wear a martial art uniform if they have one.
Booking a FREE trial lesson is required to join an introduction lesson. Please fill the form on the welcome page and submit your request - thank you!
For any questions and further details please feel free to contact us at:
[email protected]
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art (DO) based on the idea of harmonizing (AIKI) with your opponent to peacefully resolve conflict. The goal is subduing not harming. The Aikido practitioner uses circular movements and joint locks to redirect an attacker's force and neutralize them. Aikido training is physically demanding, but it doesn't rely on strength. It emphasizes developing endurance, flexibility, stability, and situational awareness. Aikido is a non-competitive activity, and there are no tournaments. Instead, students work with partners to improve their techniques. These include throws, strikes, pins, and joint locks. The goal is to use the attacker's momentum against them.
The Introduction to Aikido will include the following:
- Body conditioning, exercizes, and stretching (aiki taiso)
- Aikido safe falling and rolling (ukemi)
- Martial arts principles
- Understanding Aikido Self-defense
- Aikido principles, etiquette, and values
- “Silent meditation” (mokuso) and mindfulness
- Aikido movements and postures (kamae and taisabaki)
- Aikido basic techniques (kihon waza)
During the introduction class, visitors will not be required to wear an Aikido uniform (gi). However, everyone will be welcomed to wear a martial art uniform if they have one.
Booking a FREE trial lesson is required to join an introduction lesson. Please fill the form on the welcome page and submit your request - thank you!
For any questions and further details please feel free to contact us at:
[email protected]
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Regular Aikido Classes
Aikido is a martial art and requires time to learn various physical movements, leg work, and body conditioning necessary to perform various techniques in a satisfactory, effective, and gratifying way. Aikido courses can be long term projects depending on individual commitments and aspirations. Typically, to enjoy gratifying and consistent results, Aikido students are advised to train at least once or twice a week. Classes are structured in a way that provide warm-up drills, flexibility exercises, cardiovascular activities, and body conditioning, as well as guided study of several unarmed and armed techniques. Classes are open to students of all level of expertise, progression is continually evaluated, and advancement promoted through tests scheduled and authorized by the instructor. |
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REGULAR AIKIDO LESSONS FOR KIDS IN EVANSTON
Aikido offers fun, exercise, and values to your child! Thursdays 6:00-7:00pm Do you want your child to feel safe and strong, even in challenging situations? With Aikido, your child can learn to set boundaries, express themselves confidently and deal with their emotions more consciously. Aikido offers not only a positive way to spend your free time, but also an opportunity for your child to develop discipline and respect. Confidence in one's own abilities grows through experiences of success and learning techniques. This is how we make your child strong for life. Through mindful training, your child can experience first-hand what it feels like to concentrate, reduce stress, and find emotional balance. Give your child the chance to develop their inner strength through Aikido. Annual Registration Fee: $45
(includes: uniform, student manual, dojo ID) Monthly Dues (once every month): $50 |
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NEW!
Parent & Child Aikido
Come and have fun learning Aikido with your child! Give yourself the chance to stay fit, move better, learn a new activity while enjoying precious time with your own child!
Adults are encouraged to join their children during regular Aikido classes for kids. This is a great opportunity to turn fun into a bonding and healthy experience for everyone. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers a parent the opportunity to also learn and practice Aikido with his/her child for a special price. Upon registration both parent and child will receive a Aikido uniform each, a Lakeshore Aikido Club Student Manual, and the unique Lakeshore Aikido Club Student ID card! Any parent enrolled as a Parent & Child Aikido member will also have the choice to enroll in the adult class anytime as a special discounted fee. Do not miss on this opportunity and give yourself and your child a great time of fun, learning, and bonding experience.
Parent & Child Annual Registration (one time only): $50
(includes 2 uniforms, 1 LAC student manual, and 2 student dojo IDs)
Monthly Dues (once every month): $60
Adults are encouraged to join their children during regular Aikido classes for kids. This is a great opportunity to turn fun into a bonding and healthy experience for everyone. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers a parent the opportunity to also learn and practice Aikido with his/her child for a special price. Upon registration both parent and child will receive a Aikido uniform each, a Lakeshore Aikido Club Student Manual, and the unique Lakeshore Aikido Club Student ID card! Any parent enrolled as a Parent & Child Aikido member will also have the choice to enroll in the adult class anytime as a special discounted fee. Do not miss on this opportunity and give yourself and your child a great time of fun, learning, and bonding experience.
Parent & Child Annual Registration (one time only): $50
(includes 2 uniforms, 1 LAC student manual, and 2 student dojo IDs)
Monthly Dues (once every month): $60
Aikido for Seniors:
A Path to Strength, Balance, and Inner Calm
*****
AIKIDO, often described as the “art of harmonious movement,” is uniquely suited for seniors seeking a physical practice that supports both the body and mind. Unlike many martial arts that rely on force, speed, or competitive fighting, Aikido emphasizes fluid movement, centered posture, and cooperative practice. For older adults, this creates a safe, adaptable, and deeply rewarding discipline that encourages wellness at every level. The benefits extend far beyond self-defense, offering a holistic approach to aging with resilience, confidence, and grace.
One of the most significant advantages Aikido offers seniors is improved flexibility. The art’s circular motions and gentle joint rotations help loosen muscles and increase the range of motion in the shoulders, hips, and spine. These movements are performed gradually and with intention, making them accessible for people with stiff joints or limited athletic experience. Over time, practitioners often notice reduced discomfort in daily tasks such as bending, turning, or reaching—movements that can otherwise become challenging with age.
Aikido also provides measurable improvements in mobility. Classes typically include warm-ups, stretching, and footwork exercises that naturally strengthen the legs and enhance the coordination necessary for smooth walking and everyday activities. Because the practice emphasizes whole-body movement rather than isolated muscle training, seniors develop functional mobility—the kind that helps them move more freely through the world without strain.
Perhaps one of Aikido’s greatest contributions to senior health is its ability to enhance balance and stability. Falling is a major concern for many older adults, and Aikido directly addresses this risk. Through deliberate practice of posture, centered movement, and weight distribution, seniors learn how to shift their bodies with confidence. Many dojos also teach safe falling and rolling skills, which can greatly reduce the risk of injury in real-life situations. Even without high-impact rolls, simply learning to move with awareness can significantly decrease fall risk.
Equally transformative is the boost in self-confidence that Aikido fosters. Seniors often experience a loss of autonomy as physical abilities change over time. Aikido empowers them to reconnect with their own strength and capability. The movements, though gentle, convey a sense of grounded presence and personal agency. Practicing techniques with a partner reinforces a feeling of connection and trust, showing seniors that they can respond effectively to physical challenges without relying on force.
Finally, Aikido offers profound benefits for mental wellbeing. The practice integrates breathing, focus, and mindfulness, helping seniors cultivate calmness and emotional resilience. Each class provides a space to set aside the pressures of daily life and simply move with intention. Each class at the Lakeshore Aikido Club ends with several minutes of mokuso practice or "silent thinking" aimed at helping practitioners reflect on their training, calm their minds, and transition from a state of high energy to a calm, focused mindset for the rest of their day or evening.
The social dimension of practice—training with attentive, supportive partners—reduces isolation and creates a sense of belonging, which is vital for mental health in later life.
A typical class will be structured this way:
In sum, Aikido is far more than a martial art for seniors—it is a pathway to improved flexibility, mobility, balance, confidence, and mental clarity. It offers older adults a gentle yet powerful way to maintain vitality and embrace aging with strength and serenity.
For information and to schedule a meeting, please contact instructor:
[email protected]
AIKIDO, often described as the “art of harmonious movement,” is uniquely suited for seniors seeking a physical practice that supports both the body and mind. Unlike many martial arts that rely on force, speed, or competitive fighting, Aikido emphasizes fluid movement, centered posture, and cooperative practice. For older adults, this creates a safe, adaptable, and deeply rewarding discipline that encourages wellness at every level. The benefits extend far beyond self-defense, offering a holistic approach to aging with resilience, confidence, and grace.
One of the most significant advantages Aikido offers seniors is improved flexibility. The art’s circular motions and gentle joint rotations help loosen muscles and increase the range of motion in the shoulders, hips, and spine. These movements are performed gradually and with intention, making them accessible for people with stiff joints or limited athletic experience. Over time, practitioners often notice reduced discomfort in daily tasks such as bending, turning, or reaching—movements that can otherwise become challenging with age.
Aikido also provides measurable improvements in mobility. Classes typically include warm-ups, stretching, and footwork exercises that naturally strengthen the legs and enhance the coordination necessary for smooth walking and everyday activities. Because the practice emphasizes whole-body movement rather than isolated muscle training, seniors develop functional mobility—the kind that helps them move more freely through the world without strain.
Perhaps one of Aikido’s greatest contributions to senior health is its ability to enhance balance and stability. Falling is a major concern for many older adults, and Aikido directly addresses this risk. Through deliberate practice of posture, centered movement, and weight distribution, seniors learn how to shift their bodies with confidence. Many dojos also teach safe falling and rolling skills, which can greatly reduce the risk of injury in real-life situations. Even without high-impact rolls, simply learning to move with awareness can significantly decrease fall risk.
Equally transformative is the boost in self-confidence that Aikido fosters. Seniors often experience a loss of autonomy as physical abilities change over time. Aikido empowers them to reconnect with their own strength and capability. The movements, though gentle, convey a sense of grounded presence and personal agency. Practicing techniques with a partner reinforces a feeling of connection and trust, showing seniors that they can respond effectively to physical challenges without relying on force.
Finally, Aikido offers profound benefits for mental wellbeing. The practice integrates breathing, focus, and mindfulness, helping seniors cultivate calmness and emotional resilience. Each class provides a space to set aside the pressures of daily life and simply move with intention. Each class at the Lakeshore Aikido Club ends with several minutes of mokuso practice or "silent thinking" aimed at helping practitioners reflect on their training, calm their minds, and transition from a state of high energy to a calm, focused mindset for the rest of their day or evening.
The social dimension of practice—training with attentive, supportive partners—reduces isolation and creates a sense of belonging, which is vital for mental health in later life.
A typical class will be structured this way:
- Jumbi-undo warm-up exercizes and body conditioning (aiki-taiso)
- makko-ho stretching and kokyu breathing exercizes
- Aikido posture (hanmi-undo) and footwork (tai-sabaki)
- Aikido fundamental techniques (aikido kihon-waza)
- Kokyu-undo breathing exercizes and Mokuso "silent thinking"
In sum, Aikido is far more than a martial art for seniors—it is a pathway to improved flexibility, mobility, balance, confidence, and mental clarity. It offers older adults a gentle yet powerful way to maintain vitality and embrace aging with strength and serenity.
For information and to schedule a meeting, please contact instructor:
[email protected]