HAULING yourself out of bed at 5.15am is a big enough challenge at the best of times.

To do so for an intensive aikido course is tougher still.

For one student, taking part in a "boot camp" at Shodokan Aikido in Barnstaple was a mix of enjoyment an excruciating pain.

Designed to give a taste of full-time life in a dojo, the Challenge Course run by Sensei Andrew Medland, was based on the famous martial arts book Angry White Pyjamas.

Those who made it through the two hours each morning included Richard Annear, Will Watts, Ed Rawlinson, Kieren Nolan Jones and the members of the Keary family, Nic, Shannon and Tatyana.

A novice student, a woman police officer who wished to remain anonymous, kept a diary of the challenge which was based on the same senshusei course taken by all Tokyo riot police instructors.

She noted: "The instructor seemed very knowledgeable and very nice, patient and not a scary ninja at all."

Repeating aikido techniques and gradually increasing the speed was a theme for the various skills learnt during the four-day course. Having lost 3lb on the first day, the student lost a further 2lb by the end of the second day — but not without a price.

"My thighs are on fire, I could cry going up and down stairs," she wrote.

A welcome break from the physical demands came with a talk about the history of aikido and the importance of using the word 'osu' while training.

According to Robert Mustard, who opened the Castle Street Dojo in 2008 and features in Angry White Pyjamas, osu includes "a willingness to follow a particular teacher or way of training; and to push ourselves to endure any hardship, in training or in our daily lives".

Although still reluctant to shout "osu" during training, after four days in her own "world of pain" the diarist understood a little of its meaning.

" I can see how it (aikido) would be beneficial for me to learn," she wrote. "Particularly in my work, I could definitely envisage myself using some of the take downs once I become proficient at them."

Sensei Medland, a 3rd Dan, rounded off the week at a seminar in Nottingham with three of the world's leading instructors.

He joined 7th Dans Sensei Mustard, the head of the Shudokan UK, Sensei Ken Robson and Sensei Joe Thambu.

Medland said: "Aikido is holistic, using budo — the mindset of marital arts — 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."

Shudokan Aikido in Barnstaple is holding an open week from September 13 to 17 when students can take a friend to train for free.

Members of the public interested in taking part should call Andrew Medland Sensei on 0800 0665097 or visit www.shudokandevon.com.

The latest junior tests saw five youngsters achieve new grades.

Charlie Baglow, 7, and Ryan Carter, 8, achieved their hi blue belts, while 9-year-old Jack Rippon has reached hi orange.

Five-year-olds Francis Furse and Bethany Poole have reached green and red belts respectively.