About Aikido

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as “the way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the way of harmonious spirit.” Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

 

Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969) the founder of Aikido was a practitioner in Aiki Jujutsu and traditional weapons arts most notably Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. Through his training and experience he created Aikido, A discipline that removes the mental and physical discord within ones self. This is achieved through the practice of mind body martial Aiki exercises and strategies.

The empty hand and weapon techniques taught by Ueshiba at his Iwama dojo in Japan between 1942 and 1969 form the foundation of our training here in Geelong. These techniques have been refined and systematised by his dojo successor, Morihiro Saito.

 

Morihiro Saito (1928 – 2002) taught Aikido to many generations of students. One such student Barry Knight (1945 – Present) continues to refine and explore those mind-body Aiki concepts in his Rensei dojo in Caulfield Melbourne, Australia.

 

Simon Rees (1967 – Present), since 2007 has taught those same Iwama mind-body Aiki concepts in his Taku Ma dojo in Geelong Victoria, Australia.