THANKS to the dedication of two long-time martial arts students and trainers, the West End is now home to a new aikido facility.

Based out of the Somerset Boaz Island Community Centre, Somerset Aikikai offers classes with a focus on movement, awareness, technical aikido and basic weapons training to both adults and children, according to aikido trainer and part owner of the new school, Jamie Constable (pictured left).

Both Mr. Constable and his partner Russell Young are long-time students of Collins Smith, an advanced aikido instructor at Bermuda Aikikai in Warwick. And while the aikido enthusiasts will continue to train and instruct at Bermuda Aikikai, they have opened a training centre in Somerset to make the martial arts classes more easily accessible to students in the West End.

Mr. Constable saidthat he and Russell did not plan to open up an aikido school. Rather, the opportunity presented itself and they jumped on it with encouragement from their sensei (teacher). "It was Sensei Collins Smith from Bermuda Aikikai that suggested we open the school. It was really his idea. The space became available so it just sort of fell in our laps. And our sensei is very supportive of his senior students.

"Part of your development in aikido is to go ahead and teach so it's good for us. And to spread aikido to the West End of the island is good for aikido," said Mr. Constable.

Affiliated with Bermuda Aikikai, the new training facility is open for classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings for adults, and Friday evenings for children.

Mr. Constable says anyone can practise aikido which it is based on co-operation between two people. Aikido's circular flowing techniques are fun, effective and can be learned by anyone regardless of size, age or gender.

"Men, women and children all find aikido appealing because its techniques are not based on pitting one's strength against another's. And members learn to defend themselves without resorting to violent or aggressive behaviour," he said.

"Aikido is a flexible and unique martial art. And it can be whatever two people practising together agree to make it. From a self-defence perspective, it can end an attack suddenly and decisively or can dissipate it gently.

"Its unique approach is to blend with an attack rather than clash with it. You can take the attacker's energy and movements and use them to redirect that attack into a throw or pin. So neither party gets hurt."

The practice of aikido is also a budo, says Mr. Constable, which is simply a way of training the mind and the body in an effort to make oneself a better person.

"Self-esteem, concentration, awareness and focusing power are greatly enhanced, allowing balance and calmness to be maintained in all situations. This state of being is naturally carried off the mat and into every day life," he said.

"By opening a dojo (school) in Somerset, we just want to make what we enjoy available to more people. Aikido is mentally and physically good for you and it's fun," added Mr. Constable.

Four new students have already enrolled in classes at Somerset Aikikai and the owners hope to eventually register 15 to 20 new members.

"This has happened really quickly and we're only now starting to get the word out," said Mr. Constable. "But we've had a lot of interest and a lot of people have said they plan to attend."

For more information on adult aikido classes, please contact Jamie Constable at 799-4664 or luckynutibl.bm

For more information on children's aikido classes, please contact Russell Young at 234-1832 or seawolfibl.bm