The Yoshinkan system: Ancient wisdom, modern application!

Learn the system used by the world’s biggest metropolitan police department: Tokyo Metropolitan Police. This is a practical martial art and system of self-defence. It’s accessible for all ages, genders and body types.

Welcome to an authentically Japanese martial arts experience on the Sunshine Coast!

Yoshinkan_SymbolWHAT IS THIS MARTIAL ART AT YOSHINKAN SUNSHINE COAST?

The primary martial art taught at the Yoshinkan Sunshine Coast Dojo has its roots in traditional Japanese Jiu Jutsu, a battle martial art dating back over 800 years. It is the official style practiced by the Tokyo Metropolitan and Riot Police in Japan. This style of martial art is dynamic and a very effective system of self defence.  It is a non-competitive system focused around evasion, joint locks, body control, strikes, throwing and pinning techniques. It also includes training with and against weapons.

Yoshinkan_SymbolWHY DO THIS MARTIAL ART WITH US? IS IT FOR ME?

It can be said of Yoshinkan Sunshine Coast Dojo that it is truly for all ages, genders, walks of life and strength levels.  Since the essence of its system relies on redirecting the attackers energies back upon them, a focus is placed on technique rather than brute strength.

The efficiency of this martial art is in mastery of another’s physical attack by training over time to use another’s force against them.  A practitioner learns how to do this over time by working with their training partners in a non-competitive and mutually developmental setting.  This relationship is unique to traditional Japanese martial arts.

The Sunshine Coast Dojo is a Japan Honbu (Headquarters) certified dojo and we are closely affiliated with the top instructors in the world practicing Yoshinkan Aikido today.

Training at the Yoshinkan Sunshine Coast dojo…

  • DEVELOPS COORDINATION, HEALTH & FITNESS
  • INCREASES FLEXIBILITY AND REFLEXES
  • DEVELOPS PERSONAL SAFETY/PRACTICAL SELF-DEFENCE
  • INSTILS DISCIPLINE, RESPECT AND FOCUS
  • FOSTERS COMMUNITY AND HARMONY

Yoshinkan_SymbolWHY MIGHT THIS DOJO BE RIGHT FOR ME?

Classes are taught by university qualified teachers (holding education degrees). Lessons are taught using the latest in education research, and include a strong emphasis on the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model and other high ‘effect-size’ practices such as Feedback For Learning.

The mood of the dojo is inclusive and non-competitive, where all students irrespective of age, ability, race, gender, or faith are treated with respect.

Yoshinkan_SymbolWHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT THE DOJO? (TESTIMONIALS)

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Check out further testimonials here.

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NEWS & EVENTS

New in 2022 – Aiki Insights

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New in 2022! Subscribe now to the new YouTube program ‘Aiki Insights’!

What is Aiki Insights?

It’s a conversation about Yoshinkan Aikido specifically and martial arts more broadly. In these videos we aim to explore all things Aiki in a budo sense and delve into the concepts and principles that make this style of aikido such an effective martial art for self defence and self development.

The presenters are Ryan Slavin (5 Dan Yoshinkan Aikido, 2 Dan WTF TKD and Shintō Muso Ryū Jojutsu Mokuroku) and Lawrence Monforte (4 Dan Yoshinkan Aikido). Between the presenters they possess over three decades of martial arts experience. Both presenters are students of Mori Michiharu Shihan – the last uchideshi of Master Gozo Shioda (Kancho Sensei), the founder of Yoshinkan and direct student of O’Sensei.

Enjoy the conversation in this first edition more by contributing respectfully in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe the the channel.

STREET SELF DEFENCE CLASS

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Yoshinkan Aikido Sunshine Coast Dojo

合気道養神館 サンシャインコースト道場

Special class: street style self defence. 8 May, 1:00pm. Limited numbers. Book now as limited numbers available and spots are running out.

AIKIKIDS CLASS!

Yoshinkan_SymbolThe AikiKids class for Term 2, 2022 has now closed for enrolment. The class is full.

If you are interested in your child training in Term 3 of 2022, please enquire at the dojo now.

GRADINGS

Yoshinkan_SymbolADULTS GRADINGS

  • April 23

AIKIKIDS GRADING

  • End of term 2

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Panel 2

TRAINING @ THE DOJO

CLASS TYPES & TIMES:

The following is a brief explanation of the types of classes offered at the Sunshine Coast Dojo, the requirements for participation in them and the times at which they are held:

AikiKids classes:

Open to children from 5 years old to 12/13 (depending on capability and body condition). Students at the age of 13 will participate in a transition phase from the kids class to the adults class over time.

  • THURSDAY – AikiKids class: 4:30-5:15pm
  • SATURDAY – AikiKids class: 8:30-9:15am

Fundamentals Classes:

Open to all levels from the very beginner to the black belt. Classes always focus on basic fundamental techniques in a heavily structured and modelled way and are accessible to students of all levels.

  • MONDAY – 6-7pm
  • TUESDAY –  6-7pm
  • WEDNESDAY – 6-7am (morning class)
  • THURSDAY – 6-7pm
  • SATURDAY – 9:30-10:30am

Advanced Class

Open to those who have graded to an acceptable level of proficiency (approx. 5th Kyu depending on student) and those who display a good level of fitness. Classes assume students have a solid grounding in Yoshinkan Aikido fundamentals and can explore more difficult techniques.

  • THURSDAY–  7:15-8pm

Shintō Musō Ryū Classes

Open to adult students who demonstrate the desire to deepen their training and life experience. Students in this traditional Japanese weapons class take on significant commitment through endless patience, sincerity and a willingness to learn things that are completely different from what they have done or learned in previous experiences. Furthermore, over time students in this class train with the expectation of developing a life based heavily on the Gojō – a value system with ‘benevolence’, ‘justice’, ‘etiquette’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘trust’ at its core.

  • WEDNESDAY– 5:30pm-7:30pm

DOJO LOCATION

2/4 Lynne Street, Caloundra. Queensland.

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INSTRUCTOR PROFILE – Ryan Slavin

“I opened the Sunshine Coast Dojo to establish a student base that is strong, resilient and disciplined, and to enhance people’s lives. I additionally aim to foster community that focuses on the collective needs of the people of Caloundra, and more broadly the Sunshine Coast.”

RYAN SLAVIN SENSEI has been training in martial arts for over 25 years.

Ryan firstly began his martial training in 1994 in the Korean art of Tae Kwon Do where he attained 2nd Dan under Darryl Gowlett and Michael Tan (8th Dan). During this time he took part in numerous competition fights and was never beaten in Queensland (State Champion for the years he competed). Furthermore, he won a silver medal at the Australian National TKD Championships.

In 2001, Ryan moved to Japan to immerse himself in Japanese culture and explore Japanese martial arts. There he trained in the traditional Japanese martial art – or koryū – Yagyu Shingan Ryū Taijutsu – Jujutsu; Kenjutsu; Bojutsu. On return to Australia, Ryan began training in Shintō Musō Ryū Jōjutsu (SMR) and Yoshinkan Aikido.

In 2005 he returned to Japan to pursue academic study at Nagoya University and further his training in Shintō Musō Ryū Jo. At this time he received the SMR rank of shodan from Nishioka Tsuneo Sensei. Much later after returning to Australia, in 2018 he received the SMR Oku Iri Certificate and the rank of Sho Mokuroku under Glen Henry Sensei (Menkyo Kaiden). Ryan continues to train with Glen Henry Sensei still today.

In Yoshinkan Aikido, after 20 years of continuous connection to training under Michiharu Mori Shihan (8th Dan Uchi Deshi to the late Gozo Shioda Kancho – the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido) at the Brisbane Yoshinkan Aikido Dojo, Ryan received the rank of 5th Dan in 2019. Ryan now holds an International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation Instructor license.

Upon relocating with his family in 2012 to teach at a college on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Ryan responded to his instructor’s advice of opening a traditional Japanese martial arts dojo to aspire to the goal mentioned in the opening paragraph above. Still, Ryan continues under the tutelage of Michiharu Mori Shihan at the Brisbane Yoshinkan Aikido Dojo today while directing the Sunshine Coast Dojo. Ryan is one of Mori Shihan’s most experienced ‘uke’ (attackers who receive the techniques).

In addition to his martial arts qualifications, Ryan holds an undergraduate degree in Linguistics, a post-graduate degree in Education (teaching) and a Masters degree in International Relations/Global Politics. Ryan teaches at one of the Sunshine Coast’s most prestigious colleges, and has published various educational texts with Cambridge University Press.