Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art which was founded in 1925 by Ueshiba Morihei (1883-1969), known as O’Sensei (translated ‘Great Teacher’). The techniques that form the basis of modern Aikido are derived from centuries old tactics developed by the Samurai warriors of pre-modern Japan, predominantly from Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu tradition. Aikido is more than just an art and science of tactics and self-defense; it is a discipline for perfecting the spirit through hard training.

Rather than meeting violence with reciprocal violence, Aikido seeks to evade and redirect the power of the attack. Aikido relies on precise use of timing, unbalancing, locking of joints and centered movement to control the opponent. This means even someone smaller can be effective against a larger opponent if they are skilled, which is why so many people prefer to study this art from all walks and stages of life.

Yoshinkan (translated “Hall of Spirit Cultivation”) is the second largest style of Aikido practiced worldwide, founded by Shioda Gozo (1915-1994, 10th Dan aikido, ) in 1955.

Shioda was a direct student of O’Sensei. Shioda lived with the founder for over eight years starting in 1932 and endured severe training for many hours each day. Due to this training in the pre-war era, the Yoshinkan style is closer in technical execution and martial spirit to the Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu than many of the other aikido styles. Many people call Yoshinkan the ‘hard’ style of aikido for its hard strikes, hard falls, and directness.

After 1941, Shioda was sent by the Japanese government to China, Taiwan and Borneo in administrative roles during World War II. In one incident in China, he was drinking in a bar with an army friend in Shanghai when the friend got into an argument with a local gang member. Three of his fellow gang members came to his assistance and Shioda and his friend were cornered by the gang. In the ensuing fight, Shioda broke the leg of one of the gang members, the arm of another, and stopped a third with a devastating punch to the solar plexus, all using his aikido skills. This incident was Shioda’s ‘aikido enlightenment’, and he wrote that one could only truly appreciate the meaning of aikido once one has used it in a life-and-death situation.

After the war, he returned to O’Sensei for a brief period of intense study and then began to work to support his family while teaching aikido on the side. In 1954 he gave an award-winning demonstration of aikido, and opened the Yoshinkan in 1955. In 1957, Shioda developed the Senshusei, an intensive training course for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Yoshinkan Aikido has since been taught to the Tokyo Riot Police and other elite Defence Forces around the world.

In Yoshinkan Aikido, everything stems from kamae – a training posture which is used to develop balance, groundedness, and centreline power. Kamae is a physical manifestation of the state of mind of the practitioner and must be cultivated through deep training. To control an opponent, the practitioner must first be able to control themselves.

There are six fundamental training movements (called Kihon Dosa, or Basic Movements) and 150 fundamental techniques (called Kihon Waza, or Basic Techniques) in the basic curriculum of the Yoshinkan which are practiced in depth. Mastering these basics equips students with the fundamental skills to apply practical self-defense techniques (Goshin Jutsu) and the extended technical curriculum (Oyoi Waza). More advanced students begin study flow in freestyle technique (Jiyu Waza), persistence through exhaustion (Hajime training), defense tactics against multiple attackers (Futaridori and Sanindori), and begin to delve into the depths of timing, connection and unbalancing (Kokyu Nage and Aiki Waza), which can take a lifetime of dedicated study to master.

Absolutely! We offer two weeks of free trial classes. Contact us to schedule or drop by 15 minutes before our listed class times.

When you come for a trial class, we will give you a tour and introduce you to all the instructors. We will walk you through what to expect, before we begin the class. A senior student or an instructor will be working with you throughout the class to keep you safe and provide extra guidance. We always work at your pace and within your comfort zone.

You will be taught some basics about kamae, how to fall safely and the way we move, and you will have some hands on time to try a technique with a partner.

Wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to easily move in, and a water bottle!

When entering or leaving the Dojo, we face the front of the practice area and bow. We use this bow as an opportunity to remind ourselves to be grateful for this place to train.

At the Dojo, we take off our hats, shoes, and street clothes and put on a training uniform called a dogi. This uniform provides protection and helps us shed our outside concerns and focus our attention on our Aikido training.

When we greet a fellow student or an instructor, we greet them with a traditional bow. When coming on to or leaving the practice mat, we bow again to the front of the Dojo. Bowing is a sign of respect and appreciation.

All jewellery and watches must be removed before practice. (We do not require jewelry of religious significance to be removed). A clean body and clean uniform are also very important. Finger nails and toenails should be clean and trimmed as jagged nails can scratch or cut someone. Hygiene is not only important for your own health and well being, but consideration should also be given to people you train with.

When class is ready to begin, before the teacher sits, the students line up sitting in seiza in a straight line. The person to your right should be of equal or higher rank and the person to your left of equal or lower rank.

When a technique is being taught, the students kneel quickly. Students should remain silent while instructions is being given and hold questions till the end. When assisted by the teacher (Sensei), students bow and say either "Osu" or "thank you".

During class, any student wishing to leave the mat or to practice something other than what the class is practising must first ask the permission of the instructor.

Always begin and end your training with your partner by bowing to each other.

Never shout, curse or become angry on the mat. If there is a disagreement, ask the instructor what is correct.

All members should assist in keeping the Dojo and change rooms clean.

When the class is ending, the students quickly line up and kneel before the instructor sits. Students remain kneeling until the instructor has left the mat. Once the class has been dismissed, students should bow to all the partners they trained with during the class.