Who we are

UTS Aikido is a martial arts club led by instructors Theresia and Chris, who between them have 25 years of aikido experience. This club is UTS student-led and provides Kokikai aikido training for UTS students, staff, and the general public. UTS Aikido is a part of the Aikido Kokikai Australia network.

Kokikai (光気会) is the style of Aikido that we practice. It was founded by Shuji Maruyama.

The Kokikai style emphasizes natural movement, ki development, relaxation, good posture and mind-body coordination. It is a minimalist martial art that focuses on making techniques effective while using little physical effort.

An axiom of the style is “minimum effort for maximum effect.”

We strive to adhere to four basic principles when practicing our martial art:

    Keep One point (to develop calmness)
    Relax progressively
    Find Correct Posture (in everything)
    Develop your Positive Mind

Shuji Maruyama continues to develop the art, so there is no set textbook way of performing any technique.

Maruyama Sensei was originally sent to the United States in 1966 by the Aikikai Hombu. He taught in the US for many years. When Koichi Tohei Sensei left Aikikai to found Ki-Aikido, Maruyama Sensei followed him. This was consistent with Japanese martial arts tradition, because he was a direct student of Tohei Sensei. Maruyama Sensei separated from Ki-Aikido in 1986 to found the Kokikai organization. Click here to learn what Aikido is.

UTS Aikido uses the Dance Studio in The Ross Milbourne Sports Hall which is located in Building 4B, 745 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007