Brighton Aikikai

Specialties

We study Aikido, a physical and mindful martial-​art with an emphasis on harmonising with the movement of an attacker.

It’s more than just self-​defence. We train to to exhaust aggression. To prevent or neutralise violence when it confronts or tempts us. Above all else, it’s a lot of fun!

Beginners and practitioners of other styles are always welcome.

Developed in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba during the last century, the spirit of his teaching evolves today through many who have been inspired by his skill and philosophy.

At Brighton Aikikai we are strongly influenced by Christian Tissier — a prolific teacher of the art in Europe — and our club is lead by Phil Rozier, 4^th dan Aikikai.

History

Established in 1970.

The Sussex University Aikido Club was founded when Norio Tao — a student who had been given his black belt by O’Sensei himself — arrived on an exchange scholarship and persuaded a few hardy fellow students to join him.

After several instructors took the lead role and the club evolved, Rick Smaridge formed the Brighton Aikikai in 1987 after graduated from Sussex University. Under Rick, the club took its chief inspiration and direction from Pascal Durchon and Christian Tissier Shihan.

Today the club is headed by Phil Rozier, having taken a lead-​role in 2001. Phil is currently the technical head of a group of Aikikai clubs within the UK and abroad. Brighton, Devon, Crawley and more recently Cyprus Aikikai are dedicated to the practice of traditional Aikikai Aikido.

With regular UK visits from Pascal Durchon and now Tissier himself, the Brighton Aikikai exists as the principle club following the instruction of Tissier Shihan in the UK.

Meet the Business Owner

Phil R.

Business Owner

Phil started practising Aikido in 1998 while studying for his Physics degree at the University of Sussex. He trained regularly; attending all 6 classes per week that the Brighton Aikikai had to offer. Receiving expert tuition from Jeff Balmer (now Crawley Aikikai) and Mark Hale — two top students of Pascal Durchon — Phil’s interest in Aikido grew to an all encompassing level.

As part of Phil’s ongoing research into the martial arts he has sought instruction from Thai Boxing and Karate to add an understanding of the more offensive art forms, in an effort to try and understand the principles of Aikido as a defensive system.

Having instructed at the Brighton Aikikai for over a decade, Phil has trained up many Aikidoka to become internationally recognised Aikikai black belts and subsequent BAB instructors.