Use this list to find a class in your area, or to visit a class if you're in the area. Note that classes do change on a regular basis, so although visitors are always welcome, it's wise to check before attending an unfamiliar class.

• What to wear?
• British Shintaido Grants for new local classes

Local Weekly Classes

• Monday
  • Nailsworth, 7.00 - 9.30pm, Horsley Village Hall
    Contact Jo & Paul Hofman, 6 week beginners & advanced courses.
    
• Tuesday
  • Nailsworth, 1.30 - 3.30pm, Christchurch Hall, Newmarket Rd, Nailsworth
    Contact David & Nagako Cooper, Lightwaves class, led by Masashi Minagawa & taught by Katrina Horne
    
  • Nailsworth, 4.00 - 4.45pm, Christchurch Hall, Newmarket Rd, Nailsworth
    Contact Dawn, Bojutsu for kids, led by Masashi Minagawa. Occasionally followed by an advanced class (please check).
    
  • Bath, 7.30 - 9.00pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village (STV)
    Contact Ruth Trevenna, Bojutsu class, led by Masashi Minagawa, during term times only. Current dates are 29th January - 1st April 2008 inclusive
    
  • Bristol, 7.30 - 9pm, Oldbury Court.
    Contact Katrina Horne, karate, bo, & open-hand Shintaido classes, led by Masashi Minagawa (during school summer holidays only)
    
• Wednesday
  • Farnham, 7.00 - 8.30pm, Farnham Maltings
    General Shintaido class led by Charles Burns
    From September we will be concentrating on freehand shintaido leading to the shoto-ka exam curriculum
    Contact Jamie Hamilton
    
• Thursday
  
  • Brighton, 6.30 - 8pm, Outside in summer, indoors in winter
    Winter class time subject to change depending on hall availablity.
    Contact Ula Chambers, general Shintaido class
    
• Saturday
  • Thames, from 8am in the morning! The Old Deer Park, Richmond
    Contact Daniel des Baux. Approx twice a month, please call for times [map]
    
  • Bristol, 11am - 12.30pm. The rugby pitch at Oldbury Court Park
    Contact Belinda French. Cost by donation, bring rain gear!
    Open hand Shintaido with some basic karate [map]
    
• Sunday
  • Reading, 10.00 am - noon, Balmore Park, Caversham (weather permitting)
    Contact Charles Burns. Any kind of study! This class is running irregularly, so please phone before attending [map]
    
  • Godalming, late morning, Broadwater Park, Godalming
    Contact Helen Holt. Irregular class taught by Helen & Dave
    
• Weekends (no fixed time)
  1. Contact Masashi Minagawa, Specialist classes by appointment.
     

Note that the e-mail addresses listed here have been saved as images files. This is to protect the people concerned from spam, but it does mean you can't click on them to send an e-mail! Instead you need to type the e-mail address manually. If you have trouble seeing them for any reason please contact webmaster at shintaido.co.uk for help.

What to wear?

The official Shintaido uniform is a traditional white keiko-gi with a white belt. However beginners can come in loose fitting clothing with ample room in the shoulders and crotch. Bare feet or white tabi (Japanese rubber soled shoes) are best as they allow you to use your toes for balance, however soft soled shoes are also acceptable. Classes usually include extensive warm-ups and stretching and usually run 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

Ula Chambers teaching renki kumite

British Shintaido Grants

If you are assistant level or higher and wish to start a class in your local area, you could consider applying for a British Shintaido Grant. These are available to help with the cost of local publicity and organising an "outreach event" to help generate local interest. If you are considering teaching bojutsu or kenjutsu, British Shintaido can also help with the purchase of a small stock of medium quality bo or bokuto for use by new members in your class. If you are interested in applying for a grant please contact any member of the management committee.



Two older photos from the archives showing a running tsuki kumite

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©British Shintaido
This page was first published September 2005 & last updated February 2008