![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WOHXRU6KDIETE3XPCGU7OCOWI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f492e69c0ec80aa13c0587cdb25a1cfd274463485cf8c20f9c4793969bfdc5f&width=400&height=225)
'I’ve found aikido the best way to strengthen my own body and to stay calm and connected,' Cathy says. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3OLLDYCYTKLBGF4GXN4C72ELXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=da6105733fc326b8a3c759777c80e1ff33314b48a2b90bdfbed0f8ab6f0a1969&width=400&height=225)
Guro Omar, a Filipino eskrima instructor, is tackled to the ground by a student at Power Gym in Karama, Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CX25VNP6YMJV4FF2TM3J4UXQWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=53a18867d79afcfcb0bea57d4eccba3203f525bd172bf9c0082e4dd5ac17db44&width=400&height=225)
Guro deflects a mock knife attack. Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I3HVVGBALHK6G6IMR5SETDFPOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=387bd43ddd2e1ebafe726b775074ded19f579aaca3f3d4f1008bfdbb8e821e4b&width=400&height=225)
Eskrima is taught to Philippines special forces and features in the Jason Bourne films. Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OY6VAT6MEACA2NZWVF45GORHYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2640538b98bc6e681003a6144e7ffe2e7beeb4287a3eb7a61c48cb240be6eafd&width=400&height=225)
Powerful flying movements are a feature of eskrima. Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NKQBS5WB2VNYONCBTUZZCIWLRA.jpg?smart=true&auth=74f259ec3d9eed651885f953cfc4b798436e78041d895b089971ccdb004a8fe6&width=400&height=225)
Guro demonstrates a weapon attack. Ruel Pableo for The National for Nick's story
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TALAIGSN6XMFKGPIUPLKVSLQEE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1fa7e6874dac2ed99684e1f7c60a38f75b95d81db00910b6bfa30b275641e720&width=400&height=225)
Guro demonstrates a weapon attack. Ruel Pableo for The National for Nick's story
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IDIJACJQS3XRQRPZISLKBH7YJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=74357fbd60576dd96c657a6a0f5beb0dc2667c13def4e063bffcd832bb6ff577&width=400&height=225)
Cathy Darnell - a 4th dan in aikido - runs Zanshinkan Aikido Club, which was set up in Dubai in 1995. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U4MN6UTNU4MFXIDLY6JOIWJDNM.jpg?smart=true&auth=37db5c07b1e0aa6ea23a5f3ac3ce6e41a2a195a1bfdca70e24aca6c5c97bc1b0&width=400&height=225)
Burim Berisha performs an arm twist on Chua Ken Yu. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3JOR27YC6YYXULHGFWRINF47PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=515f039df2cf5c9d66bff35691d958950b6cdb3e9990accc5da67db7dbc23203&width=400&height=225)
Vladimir Bojovic is thrown across the mat by instructor Cathy Darnell. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STGZINQ5J5KIAA7MQSW6XBS6PA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ced91e54e0fa081ec1d3e7e79085ea9867e4c918d1176e876b259e9675ec0a1&width=400&height=225)
Aikido is used by some police forces for control and restraint techniques. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LSXI7USXYSJKRQBKCJSHYMIICA.jpg?smart=true&auth=227eecdc119b4d4e21929abe377da2ecf95ad48d2dab9ab359ff98fccb8c4973&width=400&height=225)
Throws and disarming moves feature heavily. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NXNOGAWKGNEOE35MS43XALMO2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=400fe62a698cb00713fb2e02931d67bafe17e93d90487f486cdce0457c4129cc&width=400&height=225)
'Every martial art has its own beauty, but aikido seems most relevant to the 21st century,' says Cathy. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QU4TQMENTCBA2YEPP7S3IWHXXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=471cb9ae67dc5776c99b9a9312e69455bd92af54af64d5d8829a19737eee61b5&width=400&height=225)
Weapons such as bokken (wooden sword), jo (long staff) or tento (wooden knife) are also used. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EARQ4J52X5OXTK6JJRVJSP6FAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab93e44003ffe87690cfa71182a9dce374ea36ea9a733776fd1ecf681d5f1e6d&width=400&height=225)
The Zanshinkan is one of the oldest martial arts centres in the country and will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WOHXRU6KDIETE3XPCGU7OCOWI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f492e69c0ec80aa13c0587cdb25a1cfd274463485cf8c20f9c4793969bfdc5f&width=400&height=225)
'I’ve found aikido the best way to strengthen my own body and to stay calm and connected,' Cathy says. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3OLLDYCYTKLBGF4GXN4C72ELXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=da6105733fc326b8a3c759777c80e1ff33314b48a2b90bdfbed0f8ab6f0a1969&width=400&height=225)
Guro Omar, a Filipino eskrima instructor, is tackled to the ground by a student at Power Gym in Karama, Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CX25VNP6YMJV4FF2TM3J4UXQWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=53a18867d79afcfcb0bea57d4eccba3203f525bd172bf9c0082e4dd5ac17db44&width=400&height=225)
Guro deflects a mock knife attack. Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I3HVVGBALHK6G6IMR5SETDFPOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=387bd43ddd2e1ebafe726b775074ded19f579aaca3f3d4f1008bfdbb8e821e4b&width=400&height=225)
Eskrima is taught to Philippines special forces and features in the Jason Bourne films. Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OY6VAT6MEACA2NZWVF45GORHYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2640538b98bc6e681003a6144e7ffe2e7beeb4287a3eb7a61c48cb240be6eafd&width=400&height=225)
Powerful flying movements are a feature of eskrima. Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NKQBS5WB2VNYONCBTUZZCIWLRA.jpg?smart=true&auth=74f259ec3d9eed651885f953cfc4b798436e78041d895b089971ccdb004a8fe6&width=400&height=225)
Guro demonstrates a weapon attack. Ruel Pableo for The National for Nick's story
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TALAIGSN6XMFKGPIUPLKVSLQEE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1fa7e6874dac2ed99684e1f7c60a38f75b95d81db00910b6bfa30b275641e720&width=400&height=225)
Guro demonstrates a weapon attack. Ruel Pableo for The National for Nick's story
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IDIJACJQS3XRQRPZISLKBH7YJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=74357fbd60576dd96c657a6a0f5beb0dc2667c13def4e063bffcd832bb6ff577&width=400&height=225)
Cathy Darnell - a 4th dan in aikido - runs Zanshinkan Aikido Club, which was set up in Dubai in 1995. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U4MN6UTNU4MFXIDLY6JOIWJDNM.jpg?smart=true&auth=37db5c07b1e0aa6ea23a5f3ac3ce6e41a2a195a1bfdca70e24aca6c5c97bc1b0&width=400&height=225)
Burim Berisha performs an arm twist on Chua Ken Yu. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3JOR27YC6YYXULHGFWRINF47PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=515f039df2cf5c9d66bff35691d958950b6cdb3e9990accc5da67db7dbc23203&width=400&height=225)
Vladimir Bojovic is thrown across the mat by instructor Cathy Darnell. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STGZINQ5J5KIAA7MQSW6XBS6PA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ced91e54e0fa081ec1d3e7e79085ea9867e4c918d1176e876b259e9675ec0a1&width=400&height=225)
Aikido is used by some police forces for control and restraint techniques. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LSXI7USXYSJKRQBKCJSHYMIICA.jpg?smart=true&auth=227eecdc119b4d4e21929abe377da2ecf95ad48d2dab9ab359ff98fccb8c4973&width=400&height=225)
Throws and disarming moves feature heavily. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NXNOGAWKGNEOE35MS43XALMO2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=400fe62a698cb00713fb2e02931d67bafe17e93d90487f486cdce0457c4129cc&width=400&height=225)
'Every martial art has its own beauty, but aikido seems most relevant to the 21st century,' says Cathy. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QU4TQMENTCBA2YEPP7S3IWHXXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=471cb9ae67dc5776c99b9a9312e69455bd92af54af64d5d8829a19737eee61b5&width=400&height=225)
Weapons such as bokken (wooden sword), jo (long staff) or tento (wooden knife) are also used. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EARQ4J52X5OXTK6JJRVJSP6FAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab93e44003ffe87690cfa71182a9dce374ea36ea9a733776fd1ecf681d5f1e6d&width=400&height=225)
The Zanshinkan is one of the oldest martial arts centres in the country and will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WOHXRU6KDIETE3XPCGU7OCOWI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f492e69c0ec80aa13c0587cdb25a1cfd274463485cf8c20f9c4793969bfdc5f&width=400&height=225)
'I’ve found aikido the best way to strengthen my own body and to stay calm and connected,' Cathy says. Chris Whiteoak / The National
HI-YAH! Inside the UAE's booming martial arts scene
From the Jason Bourne throat punch to MMA cage fighting, popular culture is driving new interest in centuries-old self-defence styles
![Nick Webster](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9cfba7f3-8cc8-4789-bcec-97bd0007d9ef.png?smart=true&auth=96a9a5766af20e4704e52306e74ecd02669a7e0ffd084d4151d31e0039a945d3&width=70&height=70)
Nick Webster
24 July, 2019
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