Aikido, the art of harmony and self-defence, has been represented in Deloraine for well over 35 years. 

Aikido was brought to Deloraine by well-known artist, Tony Smibert, President of the national organization Aiki Kai Australia and also for many years a leading figure in the International Aikido Federation. 

Smibert Shihan is still teaching today, respected and appreciated by his students, many of whom are now highly graded. 

Beginners have always been welcome in the Deloraine Dojo regardless of whether they only came for a few months or stayed for the long journey to a black belt.

Deloraine Dojo, in a very traditional Japanese way, combines a strong focus with a soft physicality, one of the many challenges for the Aikido practitioner.

Aikido is a relatively new martial art created by Morihei Uesheba. Influenced by the violence and horror of the Second World War, O Sensei Uesheba took competition out of the art in order to transcend winning and losing. 

A deeply spiritual person he created Aikido to contribute to a universal vibration of peace, love and harmony. 

Interestingly even today people attracted to Aikido are usually gentle and friendly people who are warm-hearted and easy to get along with.

Aikido is a body/mind activity, a dynamic meditation transcending the worries and distractions of the outside world and naturally arriving at the here and now of the mat. 

Practising partners constantly change and swap the role of attacker and defender supporting each other in both becoming stronger in ki flow and mind and body coordination. 

At times you hear of young people not getting bullied anymore after practising martial arts for a while almost as if they erased the please hit me sign previously printed on their forehead.

As an old Sensei suggested, Aikido is an ongoing study of becoming better people. 

It seems to be a mirror of life where joy and frustration often are close together and where conflict does not need to be avoided but hopefully transformed and reconciled into composure, peace, love and harmony.

Aiki Kai is a voluntary organization that welcomes new students. There are children, family and beginners classes happening this spring in both Deloraine, in the Dojo in Emu Bay Road near the bottom roundabout, and also in Tenchi Farm Dojo in Meander. 

To find out more, call 0409 695 321.

Other Aikikai Dojos are in Hobart, Launceston, Lorinna and Devonport, all run by friendly, competent and welcoming crews.