Drag & Drop Website BuilderOur Journey
The club was originally founded by Shihan Peter Thomas, opening its doors to the community of Cilfynydd on 20th May 1999. For over two decades, it provided a welcoming place to train, grow, and share the art of Aikido.
In November 2025, we began a new chapter: continuing our practice under the name Yamatokawa Aikido. This change reflects both continuity and renewal — honouring our past while embracing a broader vision for the future.
The Meaning of Yamatokawa
Yamatokawa means “mountain and river.” It reflects our origins in the South Wales mining valleys, where the solidity of the mountain represents strength, stability, and tradition, while the flow of the river symbolises adaptability, spontaneity, and the living spirit of Aikido. Together, they express our philosophy: rooted in resilience, yet always moving with the flow of life.
Our Practice
Training at Yamatokawa Aikido remains friendly, informal but intense, with emphasis on sound basics, mindfulness, and relaxation. Flow, style, and power are cultivated as students progress, while senior grades continue to support and guide newer members.
Free‑style practice, based on flow and reaction, sharpens practical skills and nurtures adaptability. Above all, our emphasis is on fun, encouragement, and respect for people of all talents and abilities.
Community and Growth
We continue to promote a cooperative atmosphere, encouraging collective attendance at Society courses and fostering a spirit of mutual growth. Yamatokawa Aikido is more than a club — it is a living community, carrying forward the values of kindness, flow, and resilience into a new era.
Drag & Drop Website Builder