Aikido is a highly refined martial art, developed in the last century as a means of self-defence and spiritual training. Aikido developes coordination of mind and body. Through its philosophy and techniques, Aikido brings us in harmony with our environment, other people and ourelves. Unlike many martial arts aikido requires no advantage in strength or speed, and is practiced successfully by people of all ages and abilities. Aikido practice develops flexibility, coordination, concentration, improved health and fitness, effective communication skills and self-esteem.
Central to Aikido is the idea of being in harmony with your opponents, rather than in conflict with them. the moement 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 the essential skills for the resolution of conflict. The movements of Aikido are circular and flowing. They are designed on the principles of nature and move in circles and spirals. When Aikido is performed well there is great beauty and composure in the movements of both partners.
Training in Aikido requires consistent and diligent practice. Although as a beginner you might train just once a week, you should be prepared to make a commitment to train at least two or three times a week if you want to make progress in the future. Sincere and dedicated practice is required to attain a state of being in which philosophy, technique, attitude and spirit merge. When there is no longer a distinction between daily life and the practice of Aikido we truly will be following the 'Way of Harmony'.
The physical aspects of Aikido, as graceful and dynamic as they can be, are only the outward manifestation of what is, most importantly, a real and direct way to improve our quality of life.
Aikido Yuishinkai was founded by Master Koretoshi Maruyama to promote universal values and principles of peace throughout the world. Students from all styles of aikido are welcome to train with us as we are non-partisan in our approach. Friendship with other dojo is encouraged in keeping with the harmonious spirit of Aikido. Aikido Yuishinkai is truly 'Aikido without boundaries'.
Maruyama Sensei is widely admired and respected as a teacher who has dedicated his life to communicating the benefits of 'positive mind' through Aikido training. He has inspired many thousands of people throughout the world over many years.
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.
Koretoshi Maruyama
Founder Aikido Yuishinkai
The founder of Aikido was Master Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). 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). As his reputation grew, O-sensei opened his first full-size aiki-budo dojo in 1931 in Tokyo. Students came from all over Japan to train with him. During World War II he moved to Iwama in Ibaragi prefecture to farm and study in peace. He opposed Japan's participation in the war. During this period O-sensei was inspired to rename his art "Aikido".
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.
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.
Michael Paul Williams was first attracted to Aikido while visiting New Zealand in 1974, where he attended demonstrations by Master Koichi Tohei. He was a serious student of Yoga and Wing Chun Kung Fu at that time. Returning to his homeland of South Africa, he began training with Master Jean Claude Delgueldre, Chief Instructor of Aikido in South Africa. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1978 where he continued his training with the New Zealand Ki Society. He moved to Australia in 1981, where he founded Aikido Ki Society Australia and established his first dojo at Griffith University in Brisbane. In 1985 he was appointed Chief Instructor of Australia by Master Koichi Tohei. At that time Master Koretoshi Maruyama was the Chief Instructor of Ki Society International and taught many seminars in Australia and New Zealand. He was an inspirational teacher to one and all and during this time, Williams Sensei and Maruyama Sensei formed a special bond.
n 1989, Williams Sensei relocated to Byron Bay in northern NSW where he built 'Goshinkan Dojo'. Bordered by forest reserve, 'Goshinkan' provides a serene haven for all Australian aikidoists to train together. It was officially opened by Master Koretoshi Maruyama, President of Ki Society International, in May 1991.
Williams Sensei resigned from Ki Society International in January 2002 after a 28-year association with the organisation. At the same time he also resigned from Aikido Ki Society Australia, the group he founded in 1981. After re-establishing contact with Maruyama Sensei, Williams Sensei was requested to act as a facilitator to disseminate Aikido Yuishinkai throughout the world. There are now Aikido Yuishinkai dojos operating in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Argentina, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Michael Williams Sensei was awarded 9th Dan and appointed as International Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai by the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, Master Koretoshi Maruyama, in October 2003. In this role, he acts as facilitator for the expansion of Aikido Yuishinkai International and makes available the resources necessary to disseminate information to affiliated dojos around the world.
In May 2006 Michael Williams Sensei and his family had relocated to the Fiji islands to establish Aikido Yuishinkai with plans to build an outer island retreat, catering for aikido, yoga and other arts. However, due to the political upheaval in Fiji, he was unable to realise this dream. Williams sensei and his family have now returned to live in Australia and they are in the process of reestablishing themselves in the Byron Bay area.
In December 2009 Master Koretoshi Maruyama honoured Michael Williams by presenting him with the 10th Dan level in the art of Aikido Yuishinkai.
AIKIDO
WHAT IS AIKIDO
AIKIDO YUISHINKAI
O SENSEI
MASTER MARUYAMA
MASTER WILLIAMS
