Introduction to Aikido

This January we will once again host our popular two-week, four-class Introduction to Aikido. It will introduce the foundations of Aikido including throws, locks, controls, pins, break falls and weapons techniques as well as the more fundamental principles of posture, distance, timing, movement and harmonization.

This is designed for beginners. Experience with Aikido or any other martial art is neither expected nor necessary. All are welcome and you do not have to be a MUN student!

Registration and the first class will be on Tuesday, January 17 starting at 6:45pm. The cost is $30 and if you decide to continue with the club as a member this money will be discounted from your full membership cost.
Please note: anyone under 18 will require a parental signature on their registration form.

Intro classes will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays:
  • January 17 – 6:45 - 9 p.m.(Registration and first class)
  • January 19– 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
  • January 24 – 7:00 - 9 p.m.
  • January 26 – 8:00 - 9:30p.m.

These four classes are intended to be taken in sequence and will each focus on different aspects of Aikido,we encourage you to attend all four so as not to miss anything.

All classes will take place at the new Elizabeth Avenue Dojo (see
Practical Info for map).

For planning purposes it would be useful for us to know how many people to expect, so please email 
munaikido@gmail.com if you are planning to attend so that we can plan to give you the best experience with our skilled instructors.

If you have any questions feel free to email us. This email is maintained by volunteers and responses over the Christmas period may take a bit longer due to vacation schedules. Please be patient and we look forward to helping you learn more about Aikido and MUN Aikikai.

Christmas Schedule

This year the last class before Christmas will be on Thursday, December 15. The first class after Christmas will be Thursday, January 5 and the full regular schedule will resume on Tuesday, January 10 (i.e. there will be no Sunday class that first week).

New Dojo!

On November 22, MUN Aikido and MUN Judo moved from West Hatcher to our new dojo on Elizabeth Avenue. All classes are now held there. Here are some pictures of the move.

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Y. Nakamura Seminar

Yumi Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto will visit us again this weekend. Click here for the poster. To help make space for the seminar, Thursday and Sunday night classes will be cancelled this week.

H. Osawa Seminar in Toronto

Ivan Booth attended the September 24-25 seminar with H. Osawa Sensei at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto (and was lucky enough to take one round of ukemi for Sensei). Thanks to David Newman (www.davidnewmanphoto.com) for the photos.


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Congratulations John!

From August 7-11 several members of MUN Aikido attended the Atlantic Canada Aikido Summer Camp in Halifax. John Bell successfully tested for Shodan. Congratulations John!

Summer Break

The last class for the summer will be Thursday, August 4th. Practice will resume on Thursday, September 8th at 8:00pm.

Summer Schedule

Classes will resume at the University on April 26. For the summer we will be practicing out of Hatcher House on Tuesdays (7:00-9:00pm) and Thursdays (8:00-9:30pm). We will also have a Jo practice at the same location on Wednesdays (1:00-2:00pm). Sunday classes (7:00-8:30pm) will be at the PowerPlex / Provincial Training Centre for May and June (and then we will take Sundays off until September). Maps and links can be found on Practical Info.

MUN Combat Room Closes

After 33 years in the same location, MUN Aikido will be moving after March 25. The MUN Combat Room is closing forever (and will become a lecture theatre). See the post above for our new practice schedule and location. Below is the group photo from our Wake for the Combat Room.
Thanks to everyone who came from Fudoshin Aikikai and the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland.

MUN Aikido-Combat Room Wake Group Photo

A New Year's Introduction to Aikido

This January we will repeat our two-week, four-class Introduction to Aikido. It will introduce the foundations of Aikido including throws, locks, controls, pins, break falls and weapons techniques as well as the more fundamental principles of posture, distance, timing, movement and harmonization. This is designed for beginners so no experience with Aikido or any other martial art is either expected or necessary. It will happen on January 18 (Tuesday), January 21 (Friday), January 25 (Tuesday) and January 28 (Friday), each day from 7:00-9:00pm. The four classes are intended to be taken in sequence and will each focus on different aspects of Aikido, so people signing up are encouraged to do their best to attend all four so as not to miss anything.

Registration will be before the first class (January 18) starting at 6:45pm (anyone under 18 will require a parental signature on their registration form). The cost is $30 but if, at the end, you decide to continue with the club as a member this money will be discounted from the full membership cost. For planning purposes it would be useful for us to know how many people to expect, so please email
munaikido@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. Or, if you have any questions feel free to email us there as well.

Upcoming Seminars

This will be a good winter for Aikido in Newfoundland. January 22-23, the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland will be hosting a seminar with Claude Berthiaume Shihan (Aikido de la Montagne, Montreal). Then March 12-13, Fudoshin Aikikai will host the 5th Annual Graham Burt Seminar, with special guest instructor Donovan Waite Shihan (Aikido Centre City, Philadelphia).

New Grading Requirements

From October 1, 2010 the Canadian Aikido Federation (including our club) will be using a new set of grading requirements.

Nakamura Seminar

From March 20-21, MUN Aikido again hosted Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto for a weekend training seminar. Thanks to Sensei for her superb teaching and the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland and Fudoshin Aikikai for their support. Also congratulations to Tak on a very nice 2nd kyu test.

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Graham Burt IV

This Saturday Fudoshin organized another excellent seminar in memory of Graham Burt who first brought Aikido to Newfoundland.

Y. Nakamura Sensei to visit again

On March 20-21, 2010 we will again host a seminar with Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto. Click here for the poster.

Congratulations Paul!

Paul Ralph (former member of MUN Aikido, now part of the Vancouver Aikikai and instructor at UBC Aikido club) successfully tested for Shodan at a seminar in Victoria.

Atlantic Canada Summer Camp / Congratulations Jolanta!

From August 10-14, seven members of MUN Aikido attended the 3rd Atlantic Canada Aikido Summer Camp in Halifax, NS with Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation. Jolanta Lagowski successfully completed her Nidan test.

Seminar with Y. Nakamura Sensei

From March 27-29, our club hosted Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto for a weekend training seminar (click on picture for enlargement). Thanks to the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland and Fudoshin Aikikai for their support.

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Graham Burt III

MUN Aikido participated in the 3rd Annual Graham Burt Memorial Seminar at Fudoshin Aikikai. Thanks Fudoshin for hosting this fun event once again.

Seminar at AIN with Berthiaume Shihan

Many members of MUN Aikikai attended a seminar with C. Berthiaume Shihan at the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland on the weekend of November 29-30.

30th Anniversary Seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan


MUN Aikido celebrated its 30th Anniversary by hosting Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation, for a weekend training seminar from September 27-28. Many thanks to the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland, Fudoshin Aikikai and members of the Nova Scotia Aikido Federation for their support.

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Welcome back Michael Langford!

Michael Langford Sensei, one of the founders of MUN Aikikai was back in St. John’s for a visit and dropped by to teach an excellent class. Thanks Michael.

Seminar at AIN with Berthiaume Shihan

Many members of MUN Aikikai attended a seminar with C. Berthiaume Shihan at the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland on the weekend of May 24-25.

Graham Burt II

MUN Aikido participated in the 2nd Annual Graham Burt Memorial Seminar at Fudoshin Aikikai. Thanks Fudoshin for hosting this fun event again (and inviting us).

Atlantic Canada Summer Camp / Congratulations Ivan!

Four members of MUN Aikido attend the 2nd Atlantic Canada Aikido Summer Camp with Y. Kawahara Shihan at Dorje Denma Ling, NS from July 20-August 3. Ivan Booth successfully tests for Sandan.

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Welcome to I. Ishiyama Sensei

I. Ishiyama Sensei was visiting St. John’s and we pleased to welcome him to teach a class at our dojo.

Graham Burt I

MUN Aikido participated in the 1st Annual Graham Burt Memorial Seminar at Fudoshin Aikikai. Thanks to Fudoshin for hosting this fun event.

Seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan

On the weekend of October 28-29, MUN Aikikai was pleased to host a weekend training seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation.

Seminar with Y. Nakamura Sensei

From February 17-19 our club hosted Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto for a weekend training seminar.

Atlantic Canada Summer Camp

From August 8-13, MUN Aikikai organized the 1st Atlantic Canada Aikido Summer Camp in Cornerbrook, NL with Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation.

Seminar with S. MacPhail Sensei

On October 29-31, MUN Aikikai hosted S. MacPhail Sensei (Victoria Aikikai) for a weekend training seminar.

Seminar with F. Turner Sensei

On March 13-14, MUN Aikikai hosted F. Turner Sensei (Shugyo Dojo, Toronto) for a weekend training seminar.

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Seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan

On the weekend of November 8-9, MUN Aikikai was pleased to host a weekend training seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation.

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Seminar with Y. Nakamura Sensei

From September 27-29 our club hosted Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto for a weekend training seminar (click on picture for enlargement).

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Seminar with B. Collins Sensei

From July 11-12 our club hosted Bill Collins Sensei (Toronto) for a weekend training seminar.