ANDO
AIKIDO

   I started with aikido last year and I already like it a lot. I wanted to join aikido because I thought it would be fun and because my mum and dad also do aikido. There are nice children in the group with whom I can laugh a lot (sometimes a bit too much according to my mum...). And what is also very pleasant is that mama can train with me. I can practise techniques with her! Ando also organises aikido training sessions, which I like as well. For the time being I will keep training with Ando, and who knows, one day I will get my black belt!    

   Our children have enjoyed training with Ando Aikido for many years. They learn a lot, such as rolling, falling and all kinds of techniques. It also gives them more self-confidence. They really feel at home in the dojo. It is beautiful to see them enjoying themselves on the mat. It is also a nice idea that they can defend themselves.    

   We enjoy seeing how our son, together with other children and with mutual respect, pushes back frontiers, which leads to an increase in his self-confidence. The exercises with physical contact also help. Edo, the sensei, radiates a lot of calmness, which enables him to take the children along well, despite their different levels.    

   We now have two adolescent sons training with Ando. The eldest (14) has been on the mat since he was 7 years old. He was very insecure and did not know how to behave in larger groups. From the first day he felt very much at home here. They take him as he is and he feels that! This gives him the confidence to show himself. Our youngest son has been training with Ando for almost a year now. He, too, finds it very enjoyable and above all very instructive. What I especially notice with them is that both have gained much more self-confidence in unexpected situations. They know how to stay calm and know what they can do. That gives them, but certainly also us as parents, a very reassuring feeling.    

   We wanted Floris to join Aikido to become more resilient, but most importantly, Floris really enjoys it! The lessons are varied and they can run around and learn new things. And as Floris himself says: All ninjas are in Aikido!    

   About nine months ago, my sons Otto (11) and Polle (9) started with Aikido. After some persuasion by one of the trainers, I also started, at the age of 41. First of all, it is of course great fun that we learn something new together, that we learn a new secret language: "here comes another yokomenuchi!", and that we can practice and experiment together at home. All three of us are very enthusiastic about the martial arts and all its facets. In addition, we are already reaping the benefits of the training, although we cannot say exactly what that is, it is more a feeling.