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Aikido Moral Code:
Aikido is a way, there is commitment and there is obligation.
Do not abuse or misuse the art of Aikido.
Study carefully, honestly and humbly.
Respect your seniors and look after your juniors.
Seiichi Sugano Shihan 8th Dan
Chief Instructor
Scott Eggenton Sensei is a mentor, teacher and facilitator for finding the truth of self through the means of Aikido. His simple, plain spoken insights and depth of knowledge into the art, results in "deep conversations" with that of yourself and that of your higher self. It is by way of these conversations and truly listening Sensei can uncover and recognise your unique traits and accommodate a learning so as to create a more powerful and profound you.A 5th Dan Aikido Black belt, Scott Sensei was a direct student of Seiichi Sugano Shihan 8th Dan until his passing in 2010. He has trained with some of the highest ranked and most respected Aikido Masters in the world.Seiseki Abe 10th Dan (Japan)Nobuyoshi Tamura 8th Dan (France)Yoshimitsu Yamada 8th Dan (USA)Motohiho Fukakusa 8th Dan (Thailand)Harvey Konigsberg 7th Dan (USA)Steven Seagal 7th Dan (USA)Scott Sensei is the only person to have lived as Uchi Deshi (live in student) to Master David Brown for 10 years at the Zen Arts Training Centre, Australia and still holds close ties to him.
Scott Sensei has also worked at some of Melbourne's Premier Nightclubs exposing him to a myriad of real life multiple attack situations in which his Aikido expertise came to the fore, saving himself and others from great harm including the attackers themselves.He has also been private security to wealthy businessmen, political figures, high profile music super stars, entertainers and famous actors.ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS:Michael Tan Sempai: began training Aikido at age 10, at age 12 he began studying under the auspices of Scott Eggenton Sensei and currently holds a first kyu grade with Southern Schools of Aikido. He is studying Law & Commerce at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.Dylan Brown Sempai: began martial arts training at age 16 in boxing and bjj. At age 17 he began training Aikido under his father Shihan David Brown in small, private classes surrounded by high ranked martial artists from different styles. He currently holds a first kyu grade with Southern Schools of Aikido.
Defining Aikido
Aikido: The martial way of Harmony.
Non Competitive - Non Aggressive.
Aikido as a traditional Japanese Martial Art, the name being made up of three characters, Ai "harmony" Ki "life energy" or "spirit" and Do "method" or "The way" and when combined can read as: "Way of harmonising your spirit"
The founder of Aikido, a greatly spiritual man, O'Sensei Ueshiba Morihei, equated the "Ai" of Aikido as not "Harmony" or "Unity" but that of "Love" or "Affection". So another way to translate Aikido is "The way of love with the spirit of all things"
But don't let this fool you, Aikido was developed to encompass the traditional Martial Arts and rights of passage of the Warrior. It may be demonstrated as a flowing, gentle art form but rest assured it is devastating in its applications.Aikido utilizes balance and movement to immobilize an attacker or bully to render them harmless. It offers a way out of the systems and cycles of the spectacles and extremes of violence that permeates todays society, entertainment and modern media.There are no competitions or tournaments in Aikido!
One of the most identifying and intriguing characteristics of Aikido is that it is non competitive, quite unlike almost every other style. Why? Firstly although it is fun to do, Aikido is not a game or a sport. To encourage violence as a spectacle misses the point of a true traditional martial art. Combat sports such as mma, ufc, bjj (brazilian jujitsu) and sports martial arts like some forms of karate, judo, taekwondo and kickboxing offer little in the way of positive, progressive human development.
When there is no higher social ideal or overriding philosophy within the combat sports, they become mere systems of violence and nothing more, providing no benefit to a greater world society.
Women's Self Defense
Street Smart, Street Wise
look out for the golden owl
Self defense courses are a great way to learn personal safety skills that in the short term may help you keep safe from harm. Our courses are developed to empower and teach new skills and build knowledge enabling you to keep yourself, your family and your friends safe from harm. Course dates are usually posted on our facebook page, Southern Schools of Aikido
No courses will be conducted until covid19 restrictions are removed from the state of Victoria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to Covid19 can you still do Aikido?
Currently in Melbourne, Victoria, Aust - Aikido, as a contact activity has been restricted and NO face to face group classes. SSA has set up Online zoom sessions available for children and adults. These sessions are available in a number of formats such as 1 on 1, small groups (2-4 people) and larger group sessions. Non contact - Face to Face (2 people max) - Personal Training is also currently permitted with a number of students partaking in this. Strict hygiene and social distancing rules must be, and are being adhered to. Beginners are welcome to contact us for a free introductory zoom session via the contact page. Restrictions in Victoria are constantly changing and as they do so will our approach to our training, classes and sessions and attendees will be informed accordingly.
What do Online zoom classes look like?
Our online zoom sessions are set up with an instructor (Usually Scott Sensei) teaching Aikido forms that facilitate understanding in the basics of techniques. Instruction in 2 of the major weapons, sword and staff, may also be given. The instructor will demonstrate what is to be performed to which zoom attendees will follow along and repeat what has been shown. Instruction will be given to individuals if needed and any questions that may arise will be answered. Sessions typically have a duration of 45 - 60mins dependent on the type of session being conducted. The platform is open before and after sessions for students to socialize and ask questions freely.
How much does it cost?
Whilst our face to face classes have been temporarily cancelled we are happy to offer a 30min, 1 on 1 Online zoom session for $20 for those who are curious and wanting to give it a go. This will give you a first hand experience of our Aikido at a very affordable and manageable price point. For other pricing for our alternative training sessions, please contact us directly through our contact page.
What should I wear?
Trainees will typically wear a heavy, woven, white cotton dogi (traditional Japanese training uniform) and as a beginner a white obi (belt). If this is your first time training in Aikido a white tee shirt and athletic sports pants are acceptable. In a dojo environment training is conducted in bare feet. Online zoom sessions can be more relaxed and socks are permitted along with white tee and sports pants.
I'm not in Melbourne, Australia, how do I get to train with you?
Or even in Australia
Embracing Online zoom sessions is certainly the best way to go about training with Southern Schools of Aikido if you do not live in Melbourne or even Australia. We offer sessions for people Internationally and Australia wide willing to give our Martial Art - Aikido a go. Finding many Australians from around the globe loving the re-connect they have with an Australian Aiki family that truly is International Aikido!
Is Aikido good for girls?
or children?
Absolutely! The art itself is designed to be practiced by everyone. Each person doing Aikido will walk their own path through Aikido. Females generally tend to have to work harder at being technically proficient compared to men who can use other masculine attributes to assist them if comparisons are made between males and females.
Is Aikido the best martial art?
This perception of Aikido is generally pushed by people that have no real depth of experience or insightful understandings of Aikido claiming that in a 'street fight' or a fight against a 'trained fighter' Aikido would not work and the Aikidoist would 'have their ass kicked'. displays two things, a severe lack of intellect on behalf of those making that claim, or if they are correct in their summation, then a severe lack of skill by the practitioner of Aikido displaying it. Either way any incompetence viewed as Aikido is not Aikido's fault but people doing it or viewing it. The art itself is very sound and robust as a form of martial arts.
Do you run classes for children?
and from what age?
Yes, our children's classes run through the Vic school term from ages 6yo and above. Gradings are generally held twice a year and most children would grade twice a year in the beginning stages provided consistent and dedicated training is achieved. Please note our training schedule has altered due to covid19 and we currently offer Online zoom sessions for our juniors.
What is a good age to start Aikido?
how old is too old to start?
Any age is a great age to begin Aikido, view the testimonial video of Stephen's journey so far. You must be in good physical and mental health to join Southern Schools of Aikido. The art really does not have an upper age limit as to when to start, the eldest student known to have started Aikido was 86 years old and was taught by Scott Eggenton Sensei some years back. The class structure is very accommodating to all beginners or levels. The lower age limit at SSA is 6 years old.
My child is on a spectrum, would Aikido be ok for them?
or add or adhd?
Firstly none of the Instructors at SSA are trained or qualified to teach anyone that may have special requirements to any form of learning. However, Martial arts training may be beneficial to children with Autism or ADD or the like but all circumstances must be considered by parents, students and teachers to take into account school policies, class structures and capabilities of teachers, current students and child before enrollment into a martial arts school.
How do I begin?
or my child?
The best way is to read the website fully, make a phone call or send an email from the contact page on this website, you will then be walked through what is involved. It is highly recommended that parents wishing for their child to be involved in Aikido with SSA that they too experience the art through the Adults sessions. Southern Schools of Aikido is on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok & YouTube for further virtual experiences.
