Yoshinkan Aikido

Meirōkan (明朗館) is Kitchener-Waterloo’s Yoshinkan Aikido Dojo.
New in 2020, we’re excited to provide classes for all ages, and build our community.
We are an IYAF registered dojo, with strong links to Canada’s Yoshinkan community.

Founded in 1955 by Gozo Shioda, the Yoshinkan style is generally more similar to Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu than later styles of Aikido. While the name was changed to reflect the desires of founder Morihei Ueshiba, the Yoshinkan techniques have maintained much of the harder, more functional nature of Aikijujutsu.

Yoshinkan Aikido is also taught more formally than other styles of Aikido, with great emphasis placed on kamae, which translates literally to “posture”.

Techniques are taught sequentially, with each kyu rank designed to help the student develop proper body movement, and form a solid foundation for the next. At the kyu levels, there is a strong focus on kihon, or basic forms – the Yoshinkan system was developed to bring students to a base level of proficiency more quickly than less structured systems.

As students reach their shodan rank, the focus shifts to the underlying principles of the techniques and enabling the practitioner to adapt their Aikido to whatever situation is presented to them.

Notably, Yoshinkan is taught to the Tokyo Riot Police through the Senshusei Course, which is considered one of the most difficult and intensive courses of training in the world.

Yoshinkan Aikido is used worldwide by police organizations as well as any group that desires to control physical situations without harm.