You don't have to live on the peak of a mountain to cultivate a powerful
mind, body and spirit. Join London's most authentic and traditional
school for martial arts and discover…

How You Can Enjoy Personal Health, Strength,
Satisfaction and Peace of Mind!

A Message from Derek Bindner, Director and Head Instructor

If I could help you reduce your stress and worries, get extremely healthy and fit, cultivate a stronger and more positive spirit, even learn top-notch self-defense and martial arts skills — wouldn't you want to learn more about what the Aikido Network has to offer?

Imagine what your life will be like when you attain these benefits:

• Increased vitality and energy
• Improved mental clarity and focus
• Confidence to stand up for yourself
• A more positive spirit and outlook on life
• Reduction or elimination of chronic ailments
• Strong self-defense and personal safety skills
• Reduction or elimination of negative thought patterns and habits
• Interaction with interesting, friendly, intelligent and positive people

I know you can achieve these tremendous benefits and more at the Aikido Network because hundreds of our students already have!

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At The Aikido Network you'll develop a healthy and unified mind, body and spirit

Students demonstrating Aikido basic movements.

I don't blame you if you're initially skeptical about the notion of a martial arts school helping you achieve some of life's most meaningful gifts: Peace of mind, harmony, personal growth, health and fitness, confidence, greater wisdom and compassion.

Maybe you took classes in Tae Kwon Do or Karate as a kid but all you remember is a lot of kicking, punching and sweating while screaming "Yes sir" and bowing a lot.

That was my case: I had studied martial arts for several years as a teenager at what I thought was a pretty good school, but it did little to impact my wisdom, compassion or personal development.

Then I had the chance to study Aikido at a traditional Aikido school, and I discovered what true martial arts is all about. It totally changed my training, and my life.

The majority of martial arts schools today have unfortunately lost the traditional teachings that go along with the exercises. Without these teachings it's next to impossible to achieve the mental and personal development that can help you achieve lasting peace and happiness in life.

Fortunately, a handful of martial arts schools do maintain the essential teachings that will help you cultivate your total mind, body and spirit. The Aikido Network is among the very best of these schools in Ontario.

Our classes in Aikido offer a complete mind, body and spirit development program if your primary goals include stress reduction, relaxation, optimal health and well-being, improved fitness, longevity, weight control, greater self-awareness, refinement of martial arts skills, better balance and coordination, true peace of mind and greater spiritual cultivation.

Helping people transform their lives by developing
the mind, body and spirit as one.

Our program welcomes anyone who loves to move, play and learn. Our program is not focused on developing fighters or competitors, it is about becoming balanced in your life through your movement, your thoughts and your actions. This means that you will learn the art of practical self defense and personal development, but with an emphasis on a modern world application of these skill sets.
It is a true evolution of movement that must be experienced to be understood. If you are interested in exploring the potential of your mind, body and spirit, in new and inspired ways, the Aikido Network is the place for you.

It is that passion that inspires our students to become passionate about achieving self-mastery in their own life.

In today’s world, many people lead unbalanced lives, with a tendency to over-focus their energy in one area, while neglecting another. In Aikido, the focus is on developing each individual as a whole. Taking a scientific approach to the mind/body connection, Aikido has helped thousands of people see that they have the choice to live abundant, powerful and healthy lives. As you progress in belt rank you will build upon the base knowledge you have learned from the previous belt.

 

 

If you also want great street self-defense and combat skills, the Aikido Network is the real deal. We also teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Striking classes.

If you also want great street self-defense, you can study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with striking

Some of our students only want good health and peace of mind, and that's fine. But others want genuine and effective self-defense and combat skills. Just as all martial arts schools are not equal when it comes to the philosophical ideas of martial arts, all schools are not equal when it comes to combat and street self-defense readiness.

Fancy kicks, acrobatics, gymnastics and flowery movements have nothing to do with real self-defense. What matters are practical and direct strik es, joint submissions and throws executed with speed and power, and a complete understanding of the weak balance points and vital targets on an opponent.

Beyond even the physical techniques and movements, real street self-defense requires proper mental preparation and th e development of a "survival" mindset.

Even though I had trained in martial arts for several years, I hadn't realized how mentally or physically unprepared I was to de fend myself in a true life-or-death street situation. Until, that is, I began training in Aikido and Jiu-Jitsu.

Now, over 23 years later, I continue to practice and refine the combat and self-defense skills taught in these martial arts, and I teach them in their entirety to my students at the Aikido Network.

I make a clear distinction between combat sports competition, such as submission grappling, street self-defense, and traditional martial arts. In my mind, all three have value and I teach all three, but you need to remember that they're three different things. Competition has rules, the street has only one rule: Do whatever it takes to survive, and martial arts is non-violent way of life.

Our classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are for you if your goals include getting into the best physical shape of your life, learning top -notch self-defense and combat skills, learning strategies for self-protection, and developing the superior confidence, discipline, brave ry and wisdom that combat sport and martial arts are known for.

Note: Some of our students who take our Aikido classes also take advantage of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and meditati on classes: Not only will they give you the many health and spiritual benefits listed above, but they can also help make you a considerably better martial artist.

Apply for a Free Introductory Tour and Free Introductory Lesson!

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Here's more of what our students are saying about our programs.

The Aikido Network has become one of the most popular and successful
schools for Martial Arts in London for adults— for six main reasons:

1. Our Authentic and Comprehensive Curriculum: You'll appreciate your choice of London’s most authentic and traditional classes in Yoshinkan Aikido and combat sport classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our classes use every muscle group in each workout. The regular practice of martial arts will enhance your fitness level in the following areas; Cardiovascular, Strength, Balance, Speed, Concentration, Awareness, and Calmness. For more information about any of these arts click on the links.
2. Personalized Programs: We communicate with you to help YOU decide what your personal goals are, and then we help you choose the program and classes that will best help you achieve your goals. Some of our students are very satisfied taking a couple of classes a week in a single style or art form; others train privately one on one, and take classes; some train hours a day, every day, in multiple styles and art forms. Some primarily want to get or stay healthy and feel good mentally and physically; others want to become world-class martial artists, or perhaps some day teach these arts. We'll help you choose the most sensible and effective training program for you to achieve your goals.
3. Full Time, Clean Facility: We have the finest facilities of any martial arts school in London, or even in Ontario. Our beautiful custom-designed 1500 square foot school has large and clean mirrored walls with a state-of-the-art matted flooring system, relaxing common area, and front desk for student services. Our facility is swept and vacuumed every day, and floors (matted areas) are washed six times a year. A dirty facility is not where you want to train!
4. Safe and Professional Instruction: As Head Instructor, I've dedicated the past 23 years of my life to training in authentic Martial Arts. During the past 23 years I've been fortunate to have lineage instruction passed down by some of the most renowned and talented teachers alive today. Safety in numbers means that we limit every class to avoid confusion and injury. At the Aikido Network, I have six fully-certified instructors assisting me, each of whom has trained with me intensively for a minimum of five continuous years to earn their Instructor Certification. We don't hire outside instructors — each of our instructors is fully versed in the exact curriculum that you will learn when you join.
5. Practicality: The regular practice of Aikido and/or Jiu-jitsu over an extended period of time under the guidance of our dedicated and certified instructors will significantly enhance your ability to protect yourself and your loved ones effectively and efficiently, if the need should ever arise.
6. Fun and Fulfilling: When we participate in activities and/or events, we expect to enjoy ourselves and meet fun, intelligent and interesting people. You will meet regularly, train intensely, and mix with a fun and exciting community of like-minded people.

Apply for a Free Introductory Tour and Free Introductory Lesson!

Classes are conveniently offered seven days a week in our clean, bright and well-kept studio. Outside you can enjoy several training areas, where we hold outdoor classes and workshops in the nice weather.

How we compare to other schools:

• Size: The Aikido Network is a small to medium sized martial arts schools so we can really focus on our students.

• Amenities: The Aikido Network uses only Japanese tatami mats for the training areas for premium quality and safety.

• Experience: The Aikido Network is in the top 2-5% in terms of the collective number of years of experience of the instructors.

• Enrollment: The Aikido Network is in the top 5% in terms of number of active students.

• Longevity: We just celebrated our twelfth-year anniversary, even though fewer than 5% of martial arts schools even make it past five-years.

• Stability: The Aikido Network is in the top 5% in terms of gross revenues, which helps ensure that we will be here for many, many more years to come. This also allows us to help more people in our community in need, through donations, and our volunteer and scholarship programs.

• Affordability: Even though we are in the top 5% of schools in each of the above important categories, our average per-student tuition falls somewhere in the 40th-60th percentile.

• Popularity: Our average annual retention rate is more than double (and closer to triple) the standard for martial arts schools, meaning our students are two to three times more satisfied training here than students at most schools.

• Results: Our students who choose to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at regional tournaments are consistently in the top 7% of medal earners.  And they usually match that success at national tournaments.

• True Value: The Aikido Network is among the less than 2% that offer the life-changing benefits of authentic Aikido training.

Apply for a Free Introductory Tour and Free Introductory Lesson!

To ensure your success in our classes:

• The Aikido Network maintains an average instructor/student ratio under 1:8 to maximize your personal attention

• We maintain a fun but serious environment. Everyone is here to make lasting positive changes in their life

• We never have children in adult classes or vice versa — the needs of both groups are quite different and we tailor our programs accordingly

• We accept students with all levels of experience and we pay special attention to beginners to ensure a good start for a lifetime of enjoyment in the arts we teach

• Beginner and advanced students have separate classes to optimally meet each group's needs and intensity of training

Great classes aren't all you'll enjoy as a student at the Aikido Network

In addition to our exciting and life-changing classes, as a student at the Aikido Network you can enjoy a host of other benefits privileges, and options including:

• Sensei’s articles of interest
• Informative monthly newsletter
• Private and semi-private classes
• Monthly seminars on topics related to your training
• A well-stocked supply of martial arts uniforms and weapons
• Use of the training studio and training equipment even outside of class times
• A relaxing common area where it is easy to meet and socialize with fellow students
• 10-50% discounts on family members, special classes by visiting instructors and more

A longer life maybe...a better life absolutely

Classes at the Aikido Network may very well increase your longevity, but their real value lies in how they increase your wellness and enjoyment of life right now. None of us know whether we'll be here tomorrow, so the important question is, "Do we feel healthy, energetic, safe, positive and content right now?"

Classes at the Aikido Network are designed to gradually steer you toward a greater state of Mindfulness — the state of being tuned into and appreciative of each moment.

As we get older we become more cognizant of just how short and fleeting our lives really are, and we see the importance of learning how to maximize our well-being and really enjoy each moment in life.

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Apply for a Free Introductory Tour and Free Introductory Lesson!

Aikido Story: “Another Way”

It's about a young man, an old man, and a drunk

“A turning point in my life came one day on a train in the suburbs of Tokyo in the middle of a drowsy spring afternoon.

“At one station the doors opened, and suddenly the quiet afternoon was shattered. There stood a man at the doorway, bellowing at the top of his lungs. He yelled violent, obscene, incomprehensible curses. Just as the doors closed, the man staggered into the car. He was big, drunk, and dirty. He wore laborer's clothing. His front was stiff with dried vomit. His eyes bugged out a demonic, neon red. His hair was crusted with filth. Screaming, he swung at the first person he saw, a woman with a baby. The blow glanced off her shoulder, sending her spinning into the laps of an elderly couple. It was a miracle that the baby was unharmed.

“The couple jumped up and scrambled toward the other end of the car. They were terrified. The laborer aimed a kick at the retreating back of the old lady. ‘I'll kill you, old woman!' he bellowed. He missed, and the old woman scuttled to safety. This so enraged the drunk, he grabbed the metal pole in the center of the car, and tried to wrench it out of its stanchion. I could see that one of his hands was cut and bleeding. The train lurched ahead, the passengers frozen with fear. I stood up.

“I was young and in pretty good shape. I stood six feet, weighed 225. I'd been putting in a solid eight hours of Aikido training every day for the past three years. I liked to throw and grapple. I thought I was tough. Trouble was, my martial skill was untested in actual combat. As students of Aikido, we were not allowed to fight.

“My teacher, the founder of Aikido, taught us each morning that martial arts were devoted to peace. ‘Aikido' he said again and again, ‘is the art of reconciliation. Whoever has the mind to fight has broken his connection with the universe. If you try to dominate other people, you are defeated. We study how to resolve conflict, not how to start it.'

“I listened to his words. I tried hard. I wanted to quit fighting. I could feel my forbearance exalting me. I felt both tough and holy. In my heart of hearts, however, I was dying to be a hero. I wanted a chance, an absolutely legitimate opportunity whereby I might save the innocent by destroying the guilty.

“'This is it!' I said to myself as I got to my feet. ‘This slob, this animal, is drunk and mean and violent. People are in danger. If I don't do something fast, somebody will probably get hurt. I'm gonna take him to the cleaners. “Seeing me stand up, the drunk saw a chance to focus his rage. ‘Aha!” he roared. ‘A foreigner! You need a lesson in Japanese manners!”

“I held on lightly to the commuter strap overhead. I gave him a slow look of disgust and dismissal. I gave him every bit of nastiness I could summon up. I planned to take this turkey apart, but he had to be the one to move first. And I wanted him mad, because the madder he got, the more certain the victory. I pursed my lips and blew him a sneering, insolent kiss. It hit him like a slap in the face. ‘All right!' he hollered. ‘You're gonna get a lesson.' He gathered himself for a rush at me. He'd never know what hit him.

“A split second before he moved, someone shouted, ‘HEY!‘ It was so ear-splitting. I wheeled to my left, the drunk spun to his right. We both stared down at a little old Japanese man. He must have been well into his seventies. He sat there immaculate in his kimono and hakama. He took notice of me, but beamed delightedly at the laborer, as though he had a most important secret to share.

“'C'mere,' the old man said in an easy tone of voice. ‘Cmere and talk with me.' He waved his hand lightly. The big man followed. He planted his feet in front of the old man and towered over him. ‘Talk to you,' he roared above the clacking wheels. ‘Why should I talk to you?' The drunk now had his back to me. If his elbow moved so much as a millimeter, I'd drop him in his socks.

“The old man continued to beam at the laborer. There was not a trace of fear or resentment about him. ‘What'cha been drinking'?' he asked lightly, his eyes sparkling with interest. ‘I been drinkin' sake,' the laborer bellowed back. ‘And it's none of your business!' Flecks of spittle splattered the old man.

“'Oh, that's wonderful,' the old man said with delight. . . ‘absolutely wonderful! You see, I love sake, too. Every Night, My wife and I (she's 76, you know), warm up a little bottle of sake. We take it out into the garden, and we sit on the old wooden bench that my grandfather's first student made for him. We watch the sun go down behind the persimmon tree. It is most gratifying, even when it rains!' He looked up at the laborer, eyes twinkling, happy to share the delightful details about his personal life.

“As he struggled to figure where the old man's conversation was taking him, the drunk's face began to soften. His fists slowly unclenched. ‘Yeah,' he said slowly, I love persimmons, to. . . .'His voice trailed off.

“'Yes,' said the old man, smiling, ‘and I'm sure you have a wonderful wife.'

“'No,' replied the laborer. ‘My wife died.' He hung his head. Very gently, swaying with the motion of the train, the big man began to sob. ‘I don't got no wife. I don't got no home. I don't got no job. I don't got no money. I don't got no where to go. I'm so ashamed.' Tears rolled down his cheeks. A spasm of pure despair rippled through his body. Above the luggage rack, a four- color ad trumpeted the virtues of suburban luxury living.

Now it was my turn. Standing there in my well-scrubbed youthful innocence, my ‘make this world safe for democracy' self- righteousness, I suddenly felt dirtier than he was.

Just then, the train arrived at my stop. The platform was packed. The crowd surged into the car as soon as the doors opened. As I struggled to get out, I heard the old man cluck sympathetically. ‘My, my ' he said. ‘That is a very difficult position to be in. Tell me about it.

I turned my head for one last look. The laborer was sprawled like a sack on the seat, his head in the old man's lap. The old man looked down at him, all compassion and delight. One hand softly stroked filthy, matted hair.

“As the train pulled away, I sat down on a bench. What I had wanted to do with muscle and meanness had been done with a few kind words. Now I had seen Aikido tried in combat, and the essence of it was love, as the founder had said. I would have to practice the art with an entirely different spirit. It would be a long time before I could speak about the resolution of conflict.

Terry Dobson

We're a One-of-a-Kind, Family-run School

At the Aikido Network, you become part of an extended family. In fact, we're a family-owned school, no t part of a chain or franchise or cookie-cutter "same-as-the-next-guy" school.

We have no aspirations of opening any additional schools or franchised "McDojo" schools. We don't hire instructors from other schools or "mix and match" a watered-down curriculum.

Our goal from day one has been to run one great school, and offer the many benefits of traditional training in Martial Arts and Life Skills to anyone with a serious interest in learning.

The many dedicated students you train with at the Aikido Network will play a huge role in helping you reach your goals

When you're accepted as a student at the Aikido Network, you'll be training along side a highly-motivated and dedicated group of men and women who are extremely committed to improving their bodies, minds and spirits through the practice of the arts we teach.

How do I know you'll be training only with other motivated and dedicated individuals? Very simple - we don't accept students who aren't dedicated and motivated.

As a full-time school with a professional staff of highly-trained experts, we have high expenses and overhead. We could probably be more profitable if we accepted everybody off the street who expressed even a casual interest in our programs. But we don't.

Unlike many schools or gyms, we don't accept "drop-in" students for a class here and there: All of our students are looking for authentic long-term, continued training to achieve lasting success.

We foster an environment of cooperation and camaraderie amongst all of our students. You and the other dedicated students around you will have each other for motivation, assistance and great fellowship.

You will not be competing against your fellow students, nor should you compare yourself to them. We have simple testing and ranking procedures so that you can progress through our curriculum at a pace and intensity that is right for you.

The real test of your progress will come from within: Are you further along today in fulfilling your personal goals than you were yesterday? That's all that really matters, and no one can judge that better than you.

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Register for a Free Introductory Tour and Free Lesson!

We would love the opportunity to meet you and give you a Free Introductory Tour of our facilities and an opportunity to participate in a Free Introductory Class. See for yourself how we can help you gain any of the very real benefits promised above. Before the introductory lesson we will meet with you to discuss your needs and goals and assess which of our programs can best help you achieve those goals. We will explain all of the features and benefits of our programs, and show you around our facilities and answer any questions you might have about our programs.

Currently, due to the tremendous demand for our programs, we are pre-screening all applicants before scheduling the Free Introductory Conference and Lesson.

To apply for your Tour and Lesson, simply fill out the Application Form below, or you can call us at (519) 660-0992 and complete the application over the phone. We can generally respond to online applications within 48 hours to inform you whether your pre-screening application has been accepted, and to confirm your reservation for your Free Introductory Tour and Class.

Free Introductory Tour and Class

Don't wait to make your reservation, because it's true:

"Few things will improve your life as much as
taking classes at the Aikido Network."

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Take advantage of a valuable discount on tuition.

Simply bring a copy of the source where you learned about The Aikido Network (letter, flier, ad, etc.) to your Introductory Admissions and Enrollment Tour and we will give you a valuable money-saving discount on the tuition when you are accepted into the program. If you learned about us online or saw a road sign, please just indicate on your application exactly where you saw it and we will give you the same discount.

Receive a great gift if you invite a friend or family member.

Training with a sincere and dedicated friend or family member can be supportive and extra-motivating for many people. If you have a friend or family member whom you think might benefit as much as you from our classes, have them also go online and fill out the application form. If you both are accepted then you both will receive a fantastic gift when you enroll!

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed reading about the Aikido Network and learning about the many benefits of our Martial Arts Program. I look forward to meeting you and working with you!

Sincerely,

Derek Bindner
Director and Head Instructor
The Aikido Network

P.S. Don't forget to inquire about our family discounts for spouses and relatives, and we offer a great Children's Martial Arts Program.

P.P.S.  I know there are many reasons to put off applying for our program, but please go ahead and apply now.  You have so much to gain with greater confidence, strength, health and peace of mind that it would be a shame to waste another day!

Adult Program Application

Please fill out the application form completely to ensure consideration for admission to our Adult Program.   If you are applying for more than one family member, you must fill out a separate form for each person.