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
Southern Schools of Aikido
Student Testimonial
New student Stephen review's his journey as a beginner and what it was like for him to begin Aikido at age 50. He also explains the benefits of his participation in the innovative online sessions with Southern Schools of Aikido.
Michael talks about his experience, thoughts and training as a 1st kyu Aikidoka. His connection to Southern Schools of Aikido and the current social environment and how online zoom training benefits him.
Welcome & Introduction from Founder Scott Eggenton Sensei
Founder of Southern Schools of Aikido and Master teacher Scott Eggenton Sensei offers his welcomes from his lockdown restricted (Melb, Aust) loungeroom dojo to Day Zero of beginning Aikido and offers an overview and insights to beginning Aikido, online classes and what to expect and a little bit about himself.
Online Learning
Groups Classes, Personal Training, Beginners Courses & Junior through to Advanced Black Belt training
General Class
At home solo practice
Our general training is formatted much like that of a standard class as conducted in our dojo. Sessions run for 60mins and are attended by any person with some familiarity of Aikido. Techniques are demonstrated and participants follow along repeating what they have been shown. The convenience of training in your own space at a dedicated time each week.
Class runs: 7-8pm Wednesday Evenings and is open to all people with some prior Aikido experience.
Family and Household's
Partnered Practice
If you are fortunate enough to have people in your household weather they are family, partners or friends we offer Aikido to these people as a partnered practice just as would normally be trained inside a dojo. Classes are 60mins and are conducted by a teacher and partner and techniques are demonstrated and explained for the participants at home. Optimally, someone in the household would have some knowledge of Aikido but is not essential. This class is a great way to build strong, harmonious relations inside of your home.
Class runs: 7-8pm Monday Evenings
Black Belt and above
Exclusive and by Invitation Only
A session for the more advanced and practiced Aikidoka and Sensei around the World. Deep examination of techniques and philosophical ideas presented in Aikido with an emphasis on continual training for 60mins
Requirements:
Open to Black Belt Aikidoka Only.
Must have minimum Shodan in Aikido.
Personal Recommendation via a current trainee
Or
Previous contact made through Sensei Scott Eggenton.
Open to ANY association of Aikido around the Globe.
Class runs: 1-2pm Saturday Afternoons
Juniors
10 - 15yo
Training is formatted much like that of a standard Juniors class as run in our dojo. Sessions run for 45mins and are attended by any Junior aged 10 - 15yo with some familiarity of Aikido. Techniques are demonstrated and participants follow along repeating what they have been shown. The convenience of training in their own space at a dedicated time each week.
Class runs: 4.30 - 5.15pm Tuesday Evenings
Personal Instruction
1:1 or Groups
Open to anyone wishing to advance the absolute quickest way in the online format is to take up 1:1 Personal Training or singular household personal training. Exclusive private tuition tailored to each persons need.
Two options available: 45mins or 60mins
Highly recommended for absolute beginners to get the foundations and basics down and for current aikidoka to enhance their skill level.
Sessions run at a mutually agreeable time.
5 Week "Give Aikido A Go"
Beginners course
A dedicated once a week class specifically for people with absolutely no prior knowledge or experience of Aikido. A set structure to gain a "Taste of Aikido"
Covering the history and philosophy of Aikido.
Fundamental movement principles.
Basic techniques.
Meditations and breathing exercises.
Perfect to become conversant with techniques performed through a digital platform and a solid foundation to continue further training in Aikido.
Sessions run at a mutually agreeable time.
Southern Schools of Aikido
We invite you to experience a personal Online Aikido session for yourself and your friends. Message us via the Contact page.
Chief Instructor
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"
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.
Location & Times
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.
Contact SSA for your free trial session