Welcome to Shudokan Aikido Devon

^"The Shudokan is dedicated to providing world class martial arts tuition in Barnstaple and to the Devon community. We deliver excellent and professional levels of service. Our instruction, passion and pride in our school and students of all ages and levels is second to none.^"

Aikido is a dynamic martial art which uses circular movements to redirect the energy of an opponent or direct movements to intercept their forward motion. We combine the principles of timing, strong position and proper alignment to concentrate our power into the opponent’s weak line. At first we learn with overt and exaggerated movements against specific contrived attacks to quickly learn basic concepts. Once mastered the practise becomes about perfecting the control of your own weight, fear and temperament.

Aikido is holistic. Using ‘budo’ to improve yourself inside and out. Because of the non competitive nature of the training people of any size, shape, gender or age may train to a very high level.

From our full time school in Barnstaple we deliver Martial Arts training to the whole of North Devon, including Ilfracombe, South Molton, Braunton, Bideford, and of course Barnstaple itself. There are also classes in Exeter.

Shudokan Devon was founded by the late Soke Eddie Stratton, founder of the Yoshinkan in the UK. The senior instructors here were trained by Soke Stratton to a high level, and since his death in 2000 have committed themselves to creating a school worthy of such a lineage. We maintain strong links with the Yoshinkan and enjoy the support of our current head Shihan Ken Robson