Shodokan Aikido Sydney Inc, formerly known as the NSW Tomiki Aikido Club, is a sports club located in the Sydney suburb of Willoughby, New South Wales, Australia. The club has a rich history, starting in the late 1970s and continuing to this day. In the 1980s, a satellite club was formed by several students at the North Ryde RSL Youth Club, where it remains today as the Shodokan Aikido Sydney Inc.
Ray Mazzone Sensei, who began training in Aikido at the North Ryde Dojo in 1986, became the head instructor in 1992 and held this position for 18 years until his untimely passing in 2010. Mazzone Sensei was an esteemed instructor and his legacy continues to shape the club's teachings and practises.
Aikido is a Japanese martial art that was developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his studies in martial arts, philosophy, and religion. It is often translated as “the way of harmony” and focuses on redirecting an opponent's energy rather than meeting force with force. The word aikido is composed of three parts, which symbolise the method of blending with and redirecting the energy of an attack.
Shodokan Aikido Sydney practises the Shodokan style, also known as Tomiki Aikido, which was developed by Kenji Tomiki. Unlike most other styles of Aikido, the Shodokan style incorporates a competition element. Tomiki believed that through competition, practitioners would gain valuable feedback about the effectiveness of their techniques.
Morihei Ueshiba, often referred to as Kaiso or Osensei, is the founder of Aikido. He was born in 1883 and studied various martial arts in his youth. After serving in the Japanese army, Ueshiba moved to Hokkaido and studied with Takeda Sokaku, the founder of Daito-ryu-aiki-jujutsu. Ueshiba's teachings and philosophy continue to inspire Aikido practitioners worldwide.
Kenji Tomiki was one of Ueshiba's early students and was eventually awarded the rank of 8th Dan in both Aikido and Judo. Tomiki's background as a university lecturer greatly influenced his approach to Aikido. He emphasised the use of scientific principles and logical analysis in his teachings.
Shodokan Aikido Sydney is proud to have instructors who have trained directly with Nariyama Shihan, a highly respected figure in the Aikido community. The club's instructors, including Chris Hartigan, Peter Baculak, and Phil Taylor, hold black belt ranks and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their teaching.
To stay up to date with the latest announcements and events, the club encourages everyone to follow their Facebook page. For further inquiries or to get in touch, individuals can reach Shodokan Aikido Sydney via email at info@sydneyaikido. Com. au.
The club's dojo is located at the North Ryde RSL Youth Club, on the corner of Magdala Rd and Pittwater Rd in North Ryde, NSW. General class inquiries can be directed to Phil at 0418 601 422, while kids' class inquiries can be directed to Rachel at 0416 186 211.