"Where passion meets research and enthusiasm, there we find Aikido Oberursel, lovingly coordinated by Klaus Messlinger. A pulsating dojo with a strong desire to practice, exchange, and accompany all practitioners along the way of aiki. Great job, lovely people, and a comfortable and spacious location."Roberto Martucci — 7th dan Aikido, Aikido Kashin, Rome, Italy
"The friendly atmosphere of Aikido Oberursel coupled with strong instructional links across Germany and the rest of Europe, gives students a great opportunity to learn the Japanese art of aikido. Aikido: the way of harmonising with energy – just what the world needs right now!"Cath Davies — 6th dan Aikikai, Dublin, Ireland
"Aikido Oberursel - the first thing that springs to my mind is the enthusiasm of Klaus Messlinger who with a lot of passion and in a rather short time managed to interest a crowd of new people in the wonderful Japanese martial art. Aikido's founder O-Sensei Ueshiba Morihei said that 'aikido is a way of peace, a way to reconcile the world', and the Oberursel dojo in this sense is a place of connecting, meeting and exchanging in a peaceful way."Stefan Christ — 6th dan Aikikai, Aikido Shinboku, Düsseldorf, Germany
"When you look at a dojo, before the instructor you should look at the students. Klaus has manged to instill his enthusiasm for Aikido in his students. He provides a friendly and inviting environment that allows them to grow. It is a testament to his teaching how much improvement I have seen in his students."Antony Pinchbeck — 5th dan Aikikai, Kamo Aikido Club, Aylesbury, England
"Connection, Exchange, Development – Klaus Messlinger chose a great motto for his aikido dojo in Oberursel. A motto that describes the deep effects of aikido practice. Klaus walks his talk, he is a mover and shaker. He moves people's hearts, builds relationships, creates space for the community to connect and practise together and make friends. He tirelessly reaches out to teachers from other parts of Germany and Europe, invites them to teach seminars, and thus creates a great variety of experiences for his dojo members. He offers his students a solid tuition that goes beyond the purely technical aspects of the art. This is a great enrichment of the aikido scene in the Frankfurt neighbourhood."Mirjam Fischer — 5th dan Seishinkai, Frankfurt a. M., Germany
"The dojo in Oberursel offers a safe space in which you can move and develop freely. You will find an inspired and lively group of practitioners there who obviously enjoy Aikido. The training atmosphere is friendly and supportive. Klaus' willingness to constantly seek intensive dialogue with other teachers is not a matter of course, but it underlines the openness and ensures that the dojo continues to develop. It's a shame that Oberursel is so far away from Hamburg, otherwise I would like to train there more often."Julia Wagner — 5th dan Aikikai, Aikido Zentrum Hamburg, Germany
"Aikido Oberursel is a place of overwhelming warmth and enthusiasm for aikido practice. The atmosphere on the tatami clearly reflects how much love for the detail the teacher is conveying to his students. It is no coincidence that this young dojo has grown so fast in such a short time: Klaus is one of the best-organised, enthusiastic and open-minded aikido teachers that I have encountered so far. I am not surprised that this attracted a group of likely-minded and congenial people. It is a dojo that I can recommend to anybody interested in aikido practice."Karl Ruben — 5th dan Aikikai, Kokoro Aikido, Berlin, Germany
"There are many good reasons to visit or become a member of the Aikido dojo in Oberursel. Be it the dedication and tireless commitment of Klaus Meßlinger in the dojo management and in his classes, the friendly community of the group or the continuous exchange with Aikido teachers from other dojos and countries. Aikido in Oberursel is simply fun and makes you want more!"Sonja Sauer — 5th dan Aikikai, Aikido im Hof, Duisburg, Germany
"When I started to Aikido in Tokyo many years ago, I did not understand how AIkido is different from other Japanese martial arts (“Budo”), all of which intend to strengthen the spirits and physical performance through their practices. It was only after decades of practice, I started to realize how to integrate the core thinking of Aikido: “To harmonize with others and the universe”, could be integrated into my own movements and techniques. But uniqueness of Aikido does not end here. It also urges us to abandon such mindset as to compete and overwhelm the opponent. It is much easier said than done. It so difficult to digest this thinking therefore I cannot imagine how long it will take to truly understand this essence.I joined Aikido Oberursel for 4 years from 2016 to 2020. I had a wonderful time there not only because I could continue practicing Aikido in Germany, but also Klaus organized the training programs so that all the participants could efficiently learn how to integrate “harmony” with physical techniques. I also liked the members of the club who enjoy Aikido and were open to exchange the tips and experiences of Aikido. Aikido Oberursel is always one of the clubs (“Dojo”) where I like to come back to."
Hirohiko Yoshimura — 4th dan Aikikai, Tokyo, Japan
"Aikido Oberursel is the embodiment of some of the best qualities that can be found in any dojo. The dojo is warm and welcoming, with hard-working students and diligent teachers who genuinely care about the quality of their training. More than this however, by reaching out into the community the Oberursel dojo is taking the Aikido principles of connection and harmony in the wider world. They are a great example to us all in the Aikido family."David Ellard — 4th dan Aikikai, Aikido im Hof, Duisburg
"The Aikido Dojo Oberursel practises with the finest dedication and clarity. I was very touched by the strong and warm, open community. Klaus Meßlinger obviously has a good recipe for keeping the complexity of a dojo with a strong pulse agile and yet stable. May the force always be with you!"Franziska Dieterich — 4th dan Aikikai, Kokoro Aikido, Berlin
"Aikido is really cool: you can go to a foreign city and find a home away from home, and you will meet family. Aikido Oberursel is part of an international aikido community with some of the best teachers in the world. These teachers are giving seminars here at a regular basis, which gives a possibility for visitors from near and far to meet and travel the aiki journey together. Thanks to Klaus’ burning passion for the art and his magic with organisation of events, combined with the friendly welcoming feeling from the whole group in the dojo, makes it a joy every time I have a chance to visit Aikido Oberursel."Svein Hatlen — 3rd dan Aikikai, Vanadis Aikidoklubb, Stockholm, Sweden
"A dojo is a place for encounters - with yourself and others. The most important thing is the connection. Aikido Oberursel is such a place, and therefore I am always looking forward to next visit. In just a very short time, Klaus Messlinger and the enthusiastic aikidokas from Oberursel have created one of the most active aikido schools in the whole Rhein-Main area. Our joint keikos attract aikidokas from up to 8 different dojos and various styles. In the openness and appreciative exchange you can sense true 'aikido-no-kami' (Japanese for 'aikido spirit'). I am very much looking forward to our next joint keiko!"Eric Steeves — 4th dan Aikido, Frankfurt a. M., Germany
"Aikido Oberursel is a dojo that I truly enjoy visiting. I pay my respect to Klaus's initiative to create a regional network that motivates people to practise together - a veritable aiki exchange. The open-minded approach and welcoming atmosphere, enthusiastic students and diverse visitors from other dojos make it a place to return to again and again."Karin Koers — 2nd dan Aikikai & aikido coach, Wiesbaden, Germany
"Aikido, for me, is a way of life. Before I arrived in Germany I compiled a list of different dojos to visit to find a new place to train. Aikido Oberursel was the first on my list. As soon as the class began I felt the positive energy, harmony, and sense of family and I knew this was the place for me. My search was over. There is something very special about Aikido Oberursel and everyone that trains here knows it and appreciates it."Ghazi Gashut — 2nd dan Aikikai
"To me, Aikido Oberursel is connected to many positive emotions and experiences. Klaus is teaching the values of the traditional Japanese martial art aikido in a way that fits in our times. This goes beyond the motoric experience, it is a research of the unexpected in the movement, simultaneously a question and an answer. No matter how complex the task or how different the people involved, at Oberursel they will find the right environment to discover and to learn on many different levels. For this, and for the friendship with many high-ranking aikido teachers it is worth coming back here. And for sharing a laugh!"Christoph Stangier — 2nd dan Aikikai & aikido therapist, Emlichheim, Germany
"Aikido has become a meaningful and essential component of my everyday life. Coming from Boston to work in Germany, it was difficult to leave my home dojo. Scouring the Frankfurt area for Aikido, I was fortunate to stumble upon Klaus's small but vibrant community of dedicated Aikido practitioners. I felt immediately welcome by Klaus and his members. Aikido Oberusel has been my Aikido home away from home. I couldn't be more grateful. And as I return to Boston, I keep the members in my heart, and look forward to the day we meet again on the mat. "Chelsea Trengrove — 2nd dan Aikikai, Boston Aikikai, USA, prev. Aikido Oberursel
"For me, aikido is a way to research the inner and outer world, to connect with life. I find it very helpful to have a welcoming space that offers respect and is open for discoveries. I feel appreciated in my home dojo where I first met Klaus, and I very much like practising in Oberursel, too. It is great being a part of this group. Thank you!"Stefanie Kösling — 2nd dan Aikikai, Aikido Dojo Frankfurt, Germany
"Having practised karate for 40 years I came across Aikido Oberursel by chance. In a very short time, Klaus got me hooked on aikido. It is astonishing how different these two martial arts are, even though they are from the same cultural background: a friend of mine called this the 'tension vs relaxation' focus."Arno Horst — 3rd kyu, Aikido Oberursel alumnus; 4th dan Shotokan Karate
"I found Aikido by chance, and I fell in love with it. It is a martial art that does not emphasise fighting, but finding ways to defend against an attacker in a gentle way. We practise as partners, not enemies. The Oberursel group is built of great and open-minded individuals that make every class fun. They make focussing on the challenging movements easy, in a safe environment away from everyday life."Kerstin Butzke — 3th kyu, Aikido Oberursel alumna
"With more than 30 years of experience in Asian martial arts - mainly taekwondo - I joined Aikido Oberursel. It is the people, participants and teachers, who make every class and every seminar a great experience. To me personally, aikido offers plenty of research topics for the years to come, both physically and mentally."Martin Haas — 4th kyu, Aikido Oberursel alumnus; 1st dan Taekwondo
"This is an open-minded and congenial group that I felt right at home with from the day of my first trial class. I enjoy every single lesson, and thanks to the great dedication of the trainers everybody gains something from the practice, whether advanced student or beginner. At Aikido Oberursel I feel on top of the world!"Johanna Porr — 4th kyu, Aikido Oberursel
"Aikido Oberursel fascinated me right from the beginning with the warm welcome I received from all members. Though I was only a beginner everybody practised with me and made me feel right at home. My cautious attempt at finding the right kind of sports for me came up with a winner: Aikido!"Hannah Olbrich — 4th kyu, Aikido Oberursel alumna
"Concentration and awareness are two qualities that I particularly like in aikidô. In addition to understanding the movements, it is important to be able to assess the partner and to respond to them in the right way. It can happen that you come up against limits or don't find the right measure. But it is precisely these limits that have to be overcome in order to be able to grow from the experience that the Oberursel dôjô offers. For me, aikidô means facing a new challenge again and again, which, when overcome, shows that not every fall ends in lying down, but in a flow of movement that is characterised by inner calm and a strong will."Fenja Bender — 4th kyu, Aikido Oberursel
"Aikido fascinates me with its harmonious, soft, circular movements, and at the same time it is a good mental challenge for me. What I particularly like about the keiko: the soundness and variety with different aspects (techniques, exercises with bokken and jo); the harmonious, benevolent and appreciative atmosphere in the dojo; the constant refinement of the techniques (the path is the goal) with adaptation to the circumstances as well as practising with Aikidoka of different levels. Aikido offers me an ideal balance to everyday life, teaches me to focus and keeps me flexible - also by 'jumping in at the deep end' when rolling and falling."Sabine Berbott — 4th kyu, Aikido Oberursel
"I was looking for a compensatory activity when I found Aikido Oberursel. Aikido fascinated me right from the start! The training is demanding, and I always feel wonderfully relaxed afterwards."Severin Hohmann — 5th kyu, Aikido Oberursel
"Aikido Oberursel is a welcoming place for late beginners like myself. The fascinating martial art of aikido develops physical and mental skills and is also a lot of fun. Klaus' personal supervision and support and the many great fellow practitioners make it a worthwhile pastime."Arnold Koch — 5th kyu, Aikido Oberursel alumnus
"In today's world, the terms 'deceleration' and 'balance' are becoming ever more important. In this sense, aikido is up-to-date: it helps to decelerate and the examination of balance is strongly anchored in aikido. On the mats in Oberursel, after the stroke of the sound bowl, I leave everything behind me, and the balance of tori and uke is my focus."Christian Burzin — 5th kyu, Aikido Oberursel
"Aikido made it easy for me to start exercising again after 10 years of abstinence. I felt fully integrated in the group after a very short time, and I can truly say that aikido is an art for everybody, regardless of age."Christian van Holt — 6th kyu, Aikido Oberursel alumnus
"What I like about aikido at the Oberursel dojo ist the mixture between the physical and the mental exercise, technical challenges and creativity, and all this in a group of great people with a good sense of humour."Meins Coetsier — 6th kyu, Aikido Oberursel alumnus
