What kind of oil should you use to treat and maintain wooden traditional weapons? I want an oil that can just be wiped onto the weapon and absorbed into the wood. I think we want an oil that won’t evaporate and let the wood dry out, won’t chemically react after application, and won’t leave a waxy deposit. But as the… Read more →
Weapons are an integral part of aikido and several other martial arts. This half-day, practical workshop will cover their use, care, and maintenance, and you can finish your own jō from raw material to keep. Admin Place: Aikido in Sydney dojo, Chapel Lane, Alexandria NSW 2015Time: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm, Sat 26 July 2025Cost: $65 for weapons workshop, including advice… Read more →
We still have a few places open for our next program on Saturday 27 July. SAVE the Day is an evidence-based, experiential program that empowers you with the knowledge and skills you need to survive the most important five seconds of your life. In a single day we will teach you how to save your own life, or the life… Read more →
We still have a few places open for this Saturday 23 September. SAVE the Day is an evidence-based, experiential program that empowers you with the knowledge and skills you need to survive the most important five seconds of your life. In a single day we will teach you how to save your own life, or the life of someone you… Read more →
Our first ‘SAVE the Day’ training programs in years are on: Sunday 23 July and Saturday 23 September. SAVE the Day is an evidence-based, experiential program that empowers you with the knowledge and skills you need to survive the most important five seconds of your life. In a single day we will teach you how to save your own life,… Read more →
I’ve enjoyed learning aikidō for over 25 years so far. It’s a fascinating art, filled with intellectual and experiential joy. I continue to be intrigued by the subtle nuances, the quest for perfection and the creative space afforded by taninzūgake (free practice with one or more training partners). Lately I’ve returned to the violin, which I played as a younger man. As I… Read more →
How to maintain your bokken, jō and tantō… For an unvarnished new weapon or one that needs serious maintenance you can start with very fine grit (P400), then work your way successively through P600 up to super fine grit (P1200). Wooden weapons are best maintained by regular sanding and oiling. A hard, smooth surface makes your weapon not only less… Read more →
We’re establishing good routines of regular training online from home while we’re unable to train together at the dojo. Below are some guidelines on how to set up at home to enjoy online training sessions safely. Choose a space with: adequate light for you to see what you’re doing and be seen on video adequate ventilation sufficient floor space to… Read more →
Our next ‘SAVE the Day’ Sydney training program is in February. SAVE the Day is the best once-and-done training experience available in Australia. Download pdf: SAVE the Day SYD 16 Feb 2020 (full registration and payment details). Sunday 16 February 2020, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Aikido in Sydney Bridge Road School 127 Parramatta Road, Camperdown NSW See Location for access… Read more →
We’re running another ‘SAVE the Day’ training program in Brisbane. SAVE the Day is the best once-and-done training experience available in Australia. Download pdf: SAVE the Day BNE 18 Jan 2020 (full registration and payment details). Saturday 18 January 2020, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Onami DojoCapalaba Scout Hall65 Degen Road, Capalaba QldSee Onami Dojo website for location details Cost $345 Earlybird… Read more →
Congratulations to all Aiki Kids and Aiki Teens who graded at the end of Term 1 2019. Scroll down for pictures! Those promoted are: 10-kyu: Oliver 9-kyu: Harriet, Neave, Amelia, Elsa and Hannah 8-kyu: Jay Other students made very positive progress towards their next grading. Students who joined us late in the term can look forward to their first grading… Read more →
We started a new year of training on Monday with a fresh look at the role of uke. We also worked on tenchinage, sankyō and yonkyō. We are still terrible at taking group photos but the good news is that everyone’s aiki continues to improve. Looking forward to the rest of the dojo coming back from exotic travel and various… Read more →
Last classes for 2018 and first classes back in 2019. Aiki Kids and Teens: classes concluded Mon 17 Dec. Classes recommence for Term 1 2019 on Mon 4 Feb. Aikido adults: last class Thu 20 Dec. Classes restart formally Mon 7 Jan. Get in touch if you are interested in additional informal training in the meantime. Atemi-jutsu: last class Sat… Read more →
Our next aikido grading for adult students is on Thursday 13 December. This is earlier than originally scheduled to accommodate students jetting off to exotic locations like Cuba and Perth Candidates, please work with your sempai over the coming weeks to polish your techniques for examination. Instead of our usual pizza after the grading we’ll be enjoying ‘sake on the… Read more →
One of the challenges for our Aiki Kids and Teens (not to mention adults) is mastering the Japanese terms and phrases we use to facilitate learning aikido. ‘Onegaishimasu’ is a common phrase in Japanese, used in everyday life, and an equivalent of ‘please’ in English. Here’s an easy way to practise: say ‘on air guy she muss’ emphasising only the… Read more →