At the end of the '80's a small group of aikidoka in Leiden, led by Tom Verhoeven, began to actively engage in the practice of Aikido. This led to the formal establishment of Aikido Club Shi Zen Ryu in December 1990. Since then Shi Zen Ryu has developed into a club of aikidoka who engage in all aspects of Aikido with enthusiasm and dedication.
Today Shi Zen Ryu has grown into one of the largest Aikido groups in the Netherlands.

Aikido Club Shi Zen Ryu is an independent organisation which applies itself to the practice of the original Aikido, sometimes named Ueshiba Aikido, or more often Aikikai Aikido, for the headquarters of Aikido in Tokyo, Japan: the Aikikai Aikido So Hombu Dojo.
Characteristic of the Aikido practiced at Shi Zen Ryu is, among other things, the nonviolent approach to the practice of martial arts, the spacious circular movements which give Aikido such an aesthetic character, the precise study of the techniques and principles which make Aikido an effective method of self-defence, and the attention which is given to the philosophical and spiritual aspects of Budo (martial art).

Training is done in a large gymnasium on the Molensteeg in the center of Leiden. The group has the use of over two hundred square meters of tatami (mats) and has its own library, publishes the magazine "Aikido Nyumon," and organizes regular theme weeks, workshops, and introductory courses in Aikido and T'ai chi chuan.

In the summer there is a shochu geiko and in the winter a kan geiko is held. Every autumn there is an intensive weekend training session held. Invariably the year begins with a festive kagami biraki.

The lessons are taught by Tom Verhoeven.

Aikido vereniging Shi Zen Ryu provides also lessons Aikido for children . The lessons are taught by Kim Fok (certified Aikido teacher, nidan, renshi).

Membership
One may become a member of Aikido Club Shi Zen Ryu at any time.
Membership fee: € 90,- quarterly.
Membership is supposed to last for at least one year, with a cancellation-term of three months.
Members may take part in all classes (five evenings) as well as the extra monthly sunday-afternoon training-sessions. Members also receive the "Aikido Nyumon," the membership notices, and recieve a discount on courses which Shi Zen Ryu organizes. Throughout the year there are lessons for beginners given. So one may begin the practice of Aikido at any time.
Application can take place before the first lesson during the classes, or through one of the contactpersons.

Shi Zen Ryu mailing address:
Aikido vereniging Shi Zen Ryu,
Postbus 52,
2300 AB Leiden

Telefoon:
06 5084 5983

Dojo:
Gymzaal Molensteeg between numbers 13a and 15
(side street of the Doezastraat), Leiden.

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