Aiki Shuren Dojo Melbourne

Welcome to Aiki Shuren Dojo Melbourne, located at 47 Wattletree Road in Eltham North, Australia. Our institution is a point of interest and a health establishment that offers training in the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido.

Aikido is a practice that trains both the mind and body, with the ultimate goal of producing sincere individuals. It combines open-hand, sword, and staff techniques, along with the principles of awase (connection) and kokyu (abdominal breath power).

We are proud to be a branch dojo of Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai Japan, which is headed by Saito Hitohira Soke, the son of the late Saito Morihiro Sensei and the technical heir to the Founder's personal dojo in Iwama, Japan.

Founded in 1998 and now based in Eltham, our dojo offers three evening classes and two morning classes each week. These classes are instructed by Simon Harris, a 6th dan practitioner who has been training in Aikido for over 20 years. Simon has dedicated himself to the practice of Aikido as taught by his instructor, Saito Hitohira Soke.

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba, also known as O'Sensei. It incorporates joint-lock and throwing techniques for self-defense, with the intention of minimizing harm to the attacker. While Aikido is a contemporary martial art, its technical origins can be traced back hundreds of years.

O'Sensei's research and development of Aikido took place primarily at his private "outdoor" dojo in Iwama, Japan. This is why the style we practice is often referred to as Dento Iwama Ryu, reflecting its traditional and spiritual roots.

Upon O'Sensei's passing, Saito Morihiro Sensei became the caretaker of the dojo. When Saito Sensei passed away in 2002, the style was passed on to his son, Hitohira.

Simon Harris, our head instructor, holds the rank of 6th dan in Aikido. He began his Aikido journey over 20 years ago and has been leading our dojo since its establishment over 10 years ago. Simon has dedicated significant time to studying in Iwama, Japan, ensuring the consistency of technical and spiritual direction in his teaching.

In our classes, we focus on the fundamentals of each technique, tailoring instruction and correction to the needs of each student. We believe in the importance of diligent and ceaseless training to truly understand and utilize Aikido techniques.

Our classes are open to beginners of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and fitness levels. We provide a safe and effective environment for you to start your Aikido practice. After three months of training, you will have a thorough grounding in the basics and be ready to take a test for your first colored belt.

We encourage all beginners to join us for a free trial class. Aikido is a practice that tightens up the slack, toughens the body, and polishes the spirit. It is a journey that can be embarked upon at any age.

Our evening classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm to 8:30pm, and our morning class is on Sundays from 10:30am to 11:30am. We look forward to welcoming you to Aiki Shuren Dojo Melbourne, where you can begin your Aikido journey and experience the benefits of this traditional Japanese martial art.