The Road Less Travelled
Aikido is a highly refined martial art, developed this century as a means of self-defence and spiritual training. Aikido develops coordination of mind, body and spirit, and through its philosophy and techniques brings us into harmony with our environment, other people, and ultimately ourselves.
Unlike many martial arts Aikido requires no advantage in strength or speed. It is practised around the World by women and men of all ages and abilities, and is one of the few martial arts to emphasise protection against multiple attackers coming from many directions.
Aikido teaches how to remain calm and centred in all situations, and confidently neutralises aggression with minimum effort. Central to Aikido is the idea of being in harmony with your opponent(s) rather than being in conflict with them. The movement and energy of an attack is redirected without the need for collision or the use of force. The physical practice of this fundamental principle of Aikido leads to a better understanding of people and nature, while teaching essential skills for peaceful conflict resolution. The principal factor in this process is the cultivation and refinement of Ki.
Ki is “Universal Life Force” and is the flow of natural energy that surrounds and gives life to all things. The understanding of Aikido principles and developing the ability to direct and use Ki are integral parts of Aikido training. Through developing the flow of Ki energy through the whole body, a solid and powerful base is created.
From this strongly balanced centre it is possible to create fluid motion and cultivate an attitude of non-aggression. Aikido therefore makes effective control of an attacker possible for men and women of all ages, while promoting harmony in mind and spirit.
Understanding and developing Ki is a way of enhancing your natural strengths and abilities. As you begin to understand Aikido principles you will in turn develop creative and practical new ways to apply these principles in your daily life.
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 Ballina are looking for new premesis and are NOT running classes
However, the Aikido Yuishinkai Headquarters in Byron Bay run the following classes and times:
| Tuesday | Beginners | 6.0 - 8.0 | Jim Nicholls (Dojo Cho) |
| Thursday | Beginners | 6.0 - 8.0 | Elisabeth Andell |
| Friday | Kids (Beginners) Senior kids |
4.0 - 5.0 5.15 - 6.15 |
Joanne Martin |
Cost & Location
Aikido Yuishinkai Ballina is located at:
The K-6 Hall, Southern Cross School, 2-40 Chickiba Drive, East Ballina, NSW.
On the map below the orange road is the coast road from Ballina to Lennox. Take the turn down Lake Avenue towards the East Ballina shops. Then take the first left into Chickiba Drive. Opposite the second left turning is the teachers carpark for the school (you can park in here) and directly infront of you is the K-6 hall. During the Summer we will have the doors open and you will be able to see us training. Please feel free to turn up, and either watch or join in.
Classes cost just $12 (which includes insurance) and run from 6.00 - 8.00pm every Monday night. Wear loose clothing or a dogi if you have one.
Click here for the school map (we are numbered 10) or, see map below
About Us
Aikido Yuishinkai Ballina 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 head dojo instructor and is an internationally accredited Aikido teacher with over 14 years of experience. He has trained extensively in dojos throughout the UK, Australia, and Japan, and currently holds the rank of 4th 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 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
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Events
Australia and New Zealand Tour 2009
3 - 9 October: Goshinkan dojo, Byron Bay
Goshinkan will during this time also host Okajima sensei (Chief Instructor of Kansei district, head office in Osaka, Japan), as well as Williams sensei (International Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai).
More details will be posted when they are available...
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
- What is Aikido?
- Aikido is a purely defensive martial art based on the Japanese martial forms of Ju-jitsu and Daito-ryu, and movements of the sword.
- Is there a membership, joining fee or annual fee that I have to pay?
- No, the only fees payable are class fees and fees for grading.
- Do you punch and kick in Aikido?
- No, there is no punching or kicking involved.
- Can anyone do Aikido?
- Yes - there are no limitations of age, size, speed or strength.
- Do you run classes for kids?
- No, unfortunately there are currently no kids classes being taught, however there are kids classes in Byron (see Timetable of Classes).
- What are the age limits?
- The age limits for Aikido Yuishinkai Ballina are 18-80.
- Do I need any special clothing for an Aikido class?
- No, any light comfortable clothing is fine to begin with. If you decide that Aikido is right for you, Dogi (strong cotton training kits) are available for purchase.
- Do I have to register or call ahead before attending a class?
- No, just feel free to turn up and either watch or join in.
- How long does it take to get to be a black belt?
- Each of the gradings have approximate numbers of classes associated with them. In general, a student training twice per week can expect to reach black belt standard in about 3 years.
- What will my first class be like?
- You will not be expected to know what to do in your first class. As such you will be given a senior student to work with, one-on-one. Here they will run through the basics of Ki (energy) and Ai (harmony), and show you the warm-ups that are preformed each week. After that you will join in with the normal class. Part of Aikido is awareness, so everyone you work with will be patient and understanding that this is your first class. "Practice slow to learn fast".
- What happens to my class fees?
- As the club is run as not-for-profit all class fees go back into the club - hiring the hall, paying for mats, purchasing training materials, paying for insurance etc... all the instructors volunteer their time.
Useful Links
Aikido Yuishinkai Headquarters
Brisbane Aikido Yuishinkai at Griffith University
Sydney Aikido Yuishinkai at Camperdown and St. Clair
- Home
- Yuishinkai
- Timetable of Classes
- Cost & Location
- Weapons
- History of Aikido
- Picture Gallery
- About Us
- Upcoming Events
- National Seminar
Resources:
- Aikido Resources
- FAQ
- Links