Aikido is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes turning your opponent's strength against them using throws, joint locks and submissions. Practise includes weapons training and disarms. Size and stength are not factors. Come and get your SAMURAI on!
Winnipeg Aikikai joined the Winnipeg martial arts community in 1982 when Bernard Viau began giving classes at the University of Winnipeg. Aikido practise was very basic until a student, Tom Czyczko, invited Kawahara Shihan to visit Winnipeg. In 1990, Tom moved to Vancouver and trained directly under Kawahara Shihan where he obtained his shodan. In 1991 Tom moved to Tokyo and trained at the Aikikai World Headquarters, Hombu Dojo, for 5 years. He took instruction from Ni-Dai Doshu Ueshiba Kisshomaru, son of the founder of Aikido, and other legendary instructors. Tom returned to Winnipeg to instruct.
In 2012 Tom retired and his student, Warren, took over as dojo-cho. He found Tom's dojo after several years in other martial arts. A Yondan (4th degree black belt) Warren has been training in Aikido for over 20 years, still learning and polishing his practice.
When Tom left Hombu Dojo he was presented this gift from Kisshomaru Doshu, son of the founder of Aikido.
We are the only Manitoba member dojo of the Canadian Aikido Federation, the Canada wide organization dedicated to Aikikai Aikido.
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is the center of the Aikikai Foundation.