KW Yoshinkan Aikido

We tell parents this a lot: Aikido doesn't teach kids to fight. It teaches them they probably won't need to. Kids build real physical competence; balance, falling safely, controlling their body under pressure and that competence tends to show up as calm rather than bravado. A kid who knows what they're capable of doesn't need to prove it to anyone on the playground. That's the quiet kind of confidence, and it's the kind that actually holds up.

Kids, Teens & Adults training together — Coburg · Bentleigh East · Research.

Today we commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the death of Shioda Gozo kancho, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. Kancho was the 'little giant' of the aikido world, known for his uncanny power despite his small stature.

After growing up learning judo from his father in their home dojo, kancho was a live-in student of the founder of aikido, Ueshiba Morihei O'Sensei, in the 1930s, and again briefly after serving in the Japanese occupational government in Indonesia and Taiwan during World War II when the war ended. He gave an award-winning demonstration at the All Japan Kobudo Demonstrations in 1954, which brought aikido into the public eye and connected kancho to financial backers which allowed him to establish his own dojo, the Yoshinkan.

With a 40 year legacy of teaching top-tier aikido, kancho had many brilliant students. He established a training course for the Tokyo Riot Police, which later expanded to also train foreigners with the goal of them becoming tough and competent instructors. Kushida Takashi and Inoue Kyoichi who helped him systematize the Yoshinkan kihon Waza curriculum and kihon dosa basic movements to facilitate group instruction in aikido. Through the efforts of these men and later uchideshi like Takeno Takefumi and Chida Tsutomu, the curriculum evolved into its present form. Many other brilliant uchideshi joined and learned over the years, with a golden era of Yoshinkan Aikido occuring during the 1980s and 1990s at the Musashi Koganei and Ochiai hombu dojos.

Despite his teacher, O'Sensei, passing in 1969, kancho was never satisfied and continued to learn, hone, and refine his aikido skills, such as private study sessions with Horikawa Kodo, a later top student of O'Sensei's teacher Takeda Sokaku of Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu.

At KW Yoshinkan Aikido, we celebrate this legacy and strive to continue to learn and improve under the guidance of Robert Mustard shihan, who spent many years at the Yoshinkan hombu in Musashi Koganei and then in Ochiai learning from Takeno sensei, Chida sensei and kancho.

This seminar is an awesome opportunity for aikidoka of all stripes to level up their skills. Two of the world's best practitioners and teachers. A must-do!

More info at: www.aikidomississauga.ca/seminars-info

On the weekend we had a small class due to students on vacation, so Karol and Alina did a combined kids and adults class - just for the two of them. We did a quick review of all the techniques for Alina's upcoming orange belt test and then focused on shomen uchi sankajo osae ichi, her newest technique. Alina really enjoyed applying the techniques to her dad, and Karol was a good sport!

☀️ SUMMER SPECIAL at KW Yoshinkan Aikido ☀️
This summer, build strength, confidence, and focus—on and off the mat.
🥋 Try Aikido FREE for 2 Weeks!
No experience needed—just come and train.
🔥 Limited Summer Offer (July & August)

Adults: $100/month
Kids: $80/month

Whether you're looking for a new challenge, a fun activity for your kids, or a way to stay active, Yoshinkan Aikido offers a welcoming and supportive environment for all ages.
📍 3310 King St E, Kitchener
📧 [email protected]
📞 647‑864‑0206
🌊 Train hard. Stay active. Make this a summer of growth.

Hutter sensei, Wright sensei and two of our students spent this past weekend training with Jacques Payet sensei, 8th Dan, from Kyoto Japan. It was a total privilege and we came away with many things to work on to improve our aikido.

🌸 SAKURA MATSURI SPECIAL 🌸
Spring is a time for renewal—on and off the mat.
Celebrate cherry blossom season with KW Yoshinkan Aikido and begin your journey in this traditional Japanese martial art.
✨ LIMITED‑TIME SPRING OFFER ✨
✅ 2‑Week FREE Trial
✅ Sakura Matsuri Discount (3 Months!)

🥋 Adults: $100/month
🥋 Kids: $80/month

Build confidence, balance, discipline, and calm in a welcoming dojo for beginners, adults, and families.
📍 3310 King St E, Kitchener
📧 [email protected]
📞 647‑864‑0206
🌸 Like the cherry blossoms, this offer won’t last long.
Start your spring strong.

We are excited to begin offering a third adult class time on Wednesdays at 8:30pm starting this week! Join us for a journey of focus, discipline and personal development. Ask about our spring Sakura Matsuri special rates for new beginners!

Wright sensei taught a class for the combined 12-hour training session of Heritage Martial Arts & Fitness and Driftwood Martial Arts. The focus was on smooth ukemi, and the techniques Kata mochi irimizuki and Kata mochi hijishime. Thanks to Fries Kyoshi and Rice Kyoshi for the invitation!

Wright sensei spent the past weekend visiting Aikido Shindokan in Oakville for a seminar with the phenomenal Jacques Payet sensei, 8th dan. Payet sensei was a live-in student of the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido for over 15 years, and is one of the top aikido practitioners in the world and an excellent teacher. He may be a small in stature, but he is incredibly powerful. His lessons this seminar focused on kokyu development. It was an incredible privilege to be there!