Current information from the dojo
On 9 July 2026, Alejandro was awarded his 4th Dan (Yondan) and Shidoin certification (Instructor), whilst Claus was awarded his 2nd Dan (Nidan) and Fuku-Shidoin certification (Assistant Instructor). Congratulations to you both on this wonderful recognition of your commitment to our dojo. Tamás will receive his 4th Dan (Yondan) and Shidoin certification as soon as we are able to present them to him.
Congratulations to Karl on successfully passing his Sandan exam (13 June 2026)!

Upcoming courses in our dojo
Sign up now for the next course: 14–15 September (Lia Suzuki Sensei).
Course registration (Sign up now!)
Aikido - "The path of harmony and strength"
"Everyone has a mind that can be honed, a body that can be trained in some way, a path to follow."
Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969)
Welcome to our dojo
Welcome to the Aikido dojo of the Heidelberg Police Sports Club (PSV) e.V. Whether you’re curious to try a martial art for the first time or are looking for a new dojo to call home – you’re welcome to join us on the mat.
Try it now
New to Aikido? Your first training session is free, with no obligation. Just come as you are – comfortable clothes are all you need.
Free trial session: Bookable at any time – Sign up for a taster session
Do you want to stick with it? Join Us
Adult training sessions run throughout the year. Youth training sessions are usually cancelled during the school holidays; any cancellations will be announced here.
6-week introductory course: €40 (concession €25), on Thursday evenings. After your first Thursday session, you can also join in on Mondays and Tuesdays for the rest of the six weeks.
FWho is Aikido suitable for?
It’s actually suitable for almost everyone. In our dojo, members aged between 12 and over 70 train – some have been doing so for three months, others for 40 years. Even as an adult, you can join or get back into it at any time. You set your own pace; there’s no competition, no winners or losers – just steady, personal progress.
Your first visit
What you should bring with you: Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing or a dogi. Bring some shower shoes for the walk between the changing room and the dojo – you’ll leave them at the edge of the tatami mats. Training is done barefoot.
Valuables: Take all your valuables onto the mat; you can leave your rucksack or bag on one of the benches.
Label: We’ll show you the basic traditions and etiquette of Aikido so that you can train safely and respectfully right from the start.
Here’s how your first training session will go:
We’ll start with a warm-up routine to prepare your body and prevent injuries. After that, you’ll learn basic techniques – rolling, falling and simple throws – as well as footwork, which plays a central role in Aikido. Just as important: you’ll discover how vital it is to stay relaxed and go with your partner’s movements, rather than working against them.
A few things worth knowing: Regular training leads to faster progress than occasional, intensive sessions – consistency is key. Be patient with yourself; Aikido is challenging, and the learning process takes time – that’s perfectly normal. Safety is our top priority, and we have clear rules in place to ensure it. And ultimately, aikido isn’t about aggression, but about self-defence and harmonising with the attacker’s energy – so enjoy the journey of learning rather than rushing through it.
Founded in 1985, the Aikido Dojo of the Heidelberg Police Sports Club (PSV) e.V. has been practising traditional Aikido for more than four decades. As a dojo with roots in the Aikikai Hombu Dojo lineage, we are committed to preserving the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei), the founder of Aikido, whilst fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, continuous learning and personal growth.
Our dojo offers a very active training programme with experienced instructors ranging from 1st dan (Shodan) to 6th dan (Rokudan). We train both adults and young people, and every year we host the International Aikido Shinki Rengo Dan Seminar, as well as several seminars at Shihan level, which attract aikidoka from the region and from all over the world.
Today, the majority of our members train at Aikido Shinki Rengo under the guidance of Michael Daishiro Nakajima Shihan (7th Dan, Aikikai Hombu Dojo; 10th dan, Daitoryu Aiki Jujutsu Bokuyokan), whilst some of our members also train with Aikido Sansuikai Germany or other international Aikido organisations, where they have attained their ranks. Both Aikido Shinki Rengo and Aikido Sansuikai Germany are proud members of the International Aikido Federation (IAF). We see this diversity of traditions as a strength, underpinned by our shared commitment to authentic Aikido and the principles of harmony, respect and lifelong learning.
The philosophy of Aikido (Contribution from Rita D.)
The philosophy of Aikido is based on the principle of harmony: instead of responding to violence with counter-violence, the energy of an attack is absorbed, redirected and neutralised. The aim is to control the attacker without harming them.
Respect, mindfulness and compassion take centre stage. Aikido teaches that true strength comes from inner calm and balance - and that external conflicts can only be resolved through inner clarity.
Harmonization over contention
Aikido is one of the lesser-known martial arts. Although its roots lie in sword fighting and self-defence, Aikido is a defensive, non-violent sport. As an Aikidoka, you do not seek to harm your attacker, but rather to neutralise the attack and gain control of the situation.
The basic principle is to connect with the attacker’s energy, redirect it, and effectively disrupt „Uke“ – the attacking partner – by evading and throwing them off balance. The aim is not to counter an attack with force, but to deflect it as gently as possible for both parties.
What Aikido is not: a crash course in self-defence, acrobatic kung fu or pure meditation.
Experience self-awareness and community
In Aikido, you are both a learner and a teacher. Although there are regular introductory courses for beginners, you generally train alongside all the other dojo members – regardless of your level of experience. Aikido thrives on this close-knit community, on cooperative interaction and on a clear ethical principle: the „Way of Harmony and Strength“.
But how does that fit in with a martial art? In Aikido, you connect with the attacker’s energy, redirect it and throw „Uke“ off balance through skilful evasion. The aim is never to meet an attack with force, but to resolve it as gently as possible for both parties.




























