So What is Aikido Yuishinkai?

Koretoshi Maruyama was born in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, on October 5, 1936. He graduated from the Economics Department of Keio University in March of 1956, after which he joined his father's business, Maruyama Manufacturing. He became interested in the martial arts from his Middle School years, and at his father's urging he took up Judo and earned a black belt. Again at his father's urging, in his first year of college, he entered the Rikidozan School of Professional Wrestling, and also trained in weight lifting and boxing, while continuing his training in Judo at the Kodokan.

In the spring of his third year of college, he began to develop doubts about the martial arts of judo, wrestling and boxing, which emphasized a mere contest of strength. At this point he entered the Aikikai, as well as the Keio University Aikido Club. It was here that he found in Aikido what he had been searching for all those years, a martial art which did not depend on strength, and taught the right attitude of mind. After he graduated from Keio University, he continued his training in Aikido, while working in the family business.

In 1967 he delegated his responsibilities in the family business so that he could become a full time professional Aikido instructor, under the tutelage of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, and dedicate himself to the martial art that taught the principles of mind and Ki.

In 1971 he went to Hawaii for 4 months, to teach Aikido on each of the islands. In 1972, he resigned from the Aikikai to become the Chief Instructor of the Ki no Kenkyukai, founded in September of 1971 by Koichi Tohei Sensei, who granted Maruyama Sensei the rank of 8th-dan.

In 1973 he became responsible for teaching in Hawaii, and for 10 years taught Ki Principles at the University of Hawaii in Hilo, as well as at Keio University Physical Education Research Department in Japan. From 1977 he studied with Haruchika Noguchi Sensei how to heal and help people with Ki and use Ki in daily life. At the same time, he also studied the psychology of Zen from the Zen Priest Shogen Munou, from whom he learned how to use the mind positively.

During this time, he also travelled extensively to Hawaii, many states in America, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Guam, United Kingdom, Italy and other parts of Europe, teaching Aikido and Ki Principles, and eventually becoming the President of Ki no Kenkyukai in 1990. However he began to have reservations about the direction and policies of the Ki Society, and resigned from this position on July 29, 1991. From this time he undertook a period of 10 years in a temple in Saitama Prefecture, intensively training in the philosophy and practice that 'You are fundamentally Mind.' He left the temple on October 9, 2001, during which time he had received permission from the temple priest to establish Aikido Yuishinkai on May 9, 1996, which he has continued to develop until the present day.

Timetable of Classes

Currently Aikido Yuishinkai Lennox Head run beginners classes on
Monday nights from 6.15 - 7.45pm

The Aikido Yuishinkai Headquarters in Byron Bay run the following classes and times:

Cost & Location

Aikido Yuishinkai Lennox Head is located at:

The Scout Hall, Mackney Lane (Williams Reserve, behind the CWA), Lennox Head, NSW

Classes cost just $10 (which includes insurance) and run from 6.15 - 7.45pm every Monday night. Wear loose clothing or a dogi if you have one.

Click on the map below to be forwarded to Whereis.com to get directions to the dojo.

About Us

Aikido Yuishinkai Lennox Head was established in May 2007 as a satellite branch of the national headquarters in Byron Bay. The main emphasis of the training is the understanding, and application, of the principles upon which Aikido is based. Although self defence is a key aspect, there is also time dedicated to the subtler aspects of Aikido and how to employ the principles across all areas of life (from leadership and conflict resolution, to relationships).

Mark Evans (Sensei) is the chief dojo instructor and is an internationally accredited Aikido teacher with over 13 years of experience. He has trained extensively in dojos throughout the UK, Australia, and Japan, and currently holds the rank of 3rd Dan black belt.

He is also a senior instructor at the Aikido Yuishinkai international headquarters in Byron Bay, and is a direct student of the founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, Master Maruyama.

He has spent the last 4 years training with the International Chief Instructor Michael Williams, and accompanied Master Maruyama on his World Tour in 2006.

To contact Sensei click here marke.email@gmail.com

Weapons

O-sensei, the founder of aikido, considered weapons training as an essential part of his teaching as well as his own training. He constantly used weapons, especially the sword, to show the principles of aikido. Why is swordsmanship so valuable for understanding the essence of aikido? If we view this question from an historical perspective the answer becomes quite clear.

O-sensei, by his own declaration, was the founder of aikido, yet not the creator of Aiki principle itself. This principle was recognized in the ancient sword traditions of Japan as well as in the philosophy of Japanese Shinto.

It required the great spiritual vision of O-sensei to see barehanded training not as grappling but rather as sword without a sword. O-sensei through his own spiritual practices realized that we could use our hands, or even our mind alone, like a sword, to cut through our partners attack or defence. Combining his spiritual vision with actual sword training he realized that it was possible to extend the influence of our ki, or intention, beyond our fingers in the same way that our movement and reach is extended when holding a sword. Ki extension is the essence of muto or "sword without a sword" and that is no better exemplified than in the practice of aikido.

In studying sword we learn to control the kensen, the line that the kirisaki, the tip of the sword, draws in each cut. Eventually we are able to draw that line with our minds eye alone. This ability is one of the secrets of aikido practice. It enables us see the invisible form within each technique and to send out energy precisely to the correct place in our partner’s body.

Aikido: A History

The founder of Aikido was Master Morihei Ueshiba (who was born on December 14, 1883). He created Aikido as a path to universal harmony and world peace, believing that Aikido was a way of attaining this goal and that violence and aggression could be turned aside by harmony of spirit.

Although invincible as a warrior, he was above all a man of peace who detested fighting, war, and any kind of violence. His way was Aikido, which is known as the “Art of Peace”. Morihei Ueshiba is known to Aikido students everywhere as O-sensei, ‘Great Teacher’.

Morihei Ueshiba sought out and studied under masters in many traditional martial arts, eventually becoming expert at a number of styles of jujutsu (unarmed combat), kenjutsu (fencing) and sojutsu (spear fighting).

Dissatisfied with mere strength and technical mastery, O-sensei also immersed himself in religious and philosophical studies. O-sensei understood that continued fighting -with others, with ourselves, and with the environment - will destroy the earth. He said: “The world will continue to change dramatically, but fighting and war can destroy us utterly. What we need now are techniques of harmony, not those of contention. The Art of Peace is required, not the Art of War”.

O-sensei taught the Art of Peace as a creative mind-body discipline, as a practical means of handling aggression and as a way of life that fosters fearlessness, wisdom, love and friendship. He believed that its principles of reconciliation, harmony, cooperation, and empathy could be applied bravely to all the challenges we face in life: in personal relationships, in business, and in our interactions with nature.

O-sensei continued to practice and teach Aikido into his old age. Observers would marvel at his abilities, vitality, and good humour; he was still giving public demonstrations of Aikido at 86, four months before his death. O-sensei’s approach to self-development was intense and unflagging. He constantly refined his art. Just before his death he said, “This old man must still train and train”. After he passed away on 26 April 1969, the Japanese government declared Morihei Ueshiba a Sacred National Treasure of Japan.

On the technical side, Aikido is rooted in several styles of jujitsu (from which modern judo is also derived), in particular daitoryu-(aiki)jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts. Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that Aikido takes the joint locks and throws from jujitsu and combines them with the body movements of sword and spear fighting. However, we must also realize that many Aikido techniques are the result of Master Ueshiba's own innovation.

Pictures

Events

Saturday 25th August

The next social event for the members of the club will be a games night held at Sensei's house. Please bring a vego plate to share and the enthusiasm (and temporary suspension of disbelief) of a young child. All games, Aikido DVD's and encouragement will be provided...

Australia and New Zealand Tour 2007

Brisbane: September 28 - October 3

An original student of O-sensei and a professional instructor since 1967, Maruyama Sensei is widely admired and respected throughout the world. He founded Aikido Yuishinkai to spread his message of ‘You are fundamentally Mind’ and ‘Aikido without Boundaries’ to the world. Maruyama Sensei has dedicated his life to communicating the benefits of ‘positive mind’ through Aikido training. Aikidoka of all levels and affiliations are invited to attend. A series of half hour Instructor workshops will run on Monday at 5pm that may be of intrest to participants.

Location: The seminar will be held 9km south of the Brisbane city centre at the Hamlyn-Harris Pavillion (more room than 2006), Mt Gravatt Show Grounds(map).The seminar dinner will be held again at the fabulous Griffith Campus Club

Further Information: 0410 260 003 (Enquiries) 0401 683 592 (Sensei Danny James) info@griffithaikido.com or see the Griffith Aikido Website

Accomodation: See here for local accommodation options.
Billeting also available contact: Tony Neal 0411 150 640, anthony.neal@bigpond.com

Aikido Seminar Programme

Melbourne: October 4 - 10 - details to be confirmed

Auckland: October 12 - 15 - details to be confirmed

Aikido Yuishinkai Motto:

I am mind itself.
If I hold positive thoughts in my mind, good things are likely to happen.
Holding negative thoughts in my mind works against my best interests.
Therefore, even if my body suffers physically, my mind remains optimistic.
Even if I encounter obstacles, my mind is never defeated.
Daily I fill my heart with thoughts of joy, gratitude and hope.
I face each new day with a bright and optimistic spirit,
which I express in word and deed.
I have faith in life, and life responds in kind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Links

Aikido Yuishinkai Headquarters

Brisbane Aikido Yuishinkai at Griffith University

Sydney Aikido Yuishinkai at Camperdown and St. Clair