The chief instructor demonstrating an Aikido technique while students observe

ABOUT AIKIDO KAASHIKOI

OUR DOJO

Aikido Kaashikoi was founded in 2016 by Chye Lim sensei. Kaashikoi can be translated as 'wise' and we aim to embody this idea in our practice, training thoughfully with each other. We teach traditional Aikido using teaching methods that are easy to understand for students of all ages and abilities. Our dojo is located in the Bedminster Methodist Church in Bedminster, Bristol. We pride ourselves on having a safe, welcoming environment with friendly students.

We are affiliated to Sansuikai International and all our Dan grades are issued directly from the Aikikai Hombu dojo - the main dojo of Aikido's governing body in Japan.

JOINING

Becoming part of Aikido Kaashikoi is simple - just get in touch and arrange to come and try out a class. Your first session is free with no comittment.

If you decide you would like to join, mat fees are £10 per class, payable as a monthly subscription.

Get started

OUR INSTRUCTORS AND LINEAGE

Chye Lim Sensei is the chief instructor and Dojo Cho of Aikido Kaashikoi. Chye Sensei has a clear lineage from which Aikido Kaashikoi members can benefit. We are fortunate to receive instruction and guidance from highly experienced Aikido masters thanks to our affiliation to REM AIKI dojo and Sansuikai International.

CHYE LIM SENSEI

4TH DAN AIKIKAI

DOJO CHO & CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

Chye Lim sensei has been practicing Aikido for over 20 years and continues to learn from some of the Aikido world's best teachers.

Chye sensei has trained in Japan at Kobayashi dojos where he entered their uchi deshi program. Here he received his 1st and 2nd Dan grades under Yasuo Kobayashi Shihan.

In 2016, Chye sensei joined Sansuikai International, founded by Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan. Under the tutelage of Larbi El Akel Shihan of REM AIKI dojo, he received his 3rd and 4th Dan grades and was awarded the title of Fukushidoin from Yamada Shihan.

Chye sensei also holds an MA in martial arts and is a qualified BAB level 1 coach.

Chye sensei travels extensively, training at international seminars and teaching at our affiliated dojos.

LARBI EL AKEL SHIHAN

6TH DAN AIKIKAI

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF REM AIKI DOJO AND SEN AIKI DOJO

Larbi Shihan is Chye Sensei's primary teacher. Aikido Kaashikoi regularly hosts seminars taught by Larbi throughout the year.

Larbi Shihan began practising Kung Fu at age 15, later moving on to practice Aikido. After a promising start at the Mortebeek Aikido club, he began following the teachings of Aziz Belhassane Shihan.

He actively participates in high-level courses across the world including France and Japan. In his more than 40 years practising Aikido, Larbi spent much of this time following the instruction of Sugano Shihan and Tamura Shihan, direct students of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. He was twice awarded the title of Shidoin on the recommendation of Sugano in 2008 and Yamada Shihan in 2012. Larbi was awarded the title of Shihan from Hombu dojo in 2020 on Yamada Shihan's recommendation.

Portrait of Larbi El Akel, the technical director of Rem Aiki Dojo

Portrait of Yoshimitsu Yamada, founder of Sansuikai international

YOSHIMITSU YAMADA SHIHAN

8TH DAN AIKIKAI

FOUNDER OF SANSUIKAI INTERNATIONAL

In memoriam, Feb 17th 1938 - Jan 15th 2023

Born in Tokyo, Yamada's father Ichiro, was an academic professor, and his mother, Michio, cared for his home.

Japan experienced a difficult situation during World War II which forced his family to emigrate to Korea, where they settled in Chinju, a small town about 200 miles from Seoul. They remained in Korea until the end of the war.

Ichiro Yamada's cousin, Tadashi Abe, had been practising Aikido since 1942. At just seven years old, Yoshimitsu had contact with O-Sensei for the first time during a martial arts presentation in Abe's family home. This meeting made an unforgettable impression on him.

In 1955, Yamada Sensei was accepted into the Hombu Dojo Uchi deshi program (live-in apprentice) to study directly with O Sensei, the founder of Aikido. He was 18 years old with no martial arts experience. Besides O Sensei, he studied under such Aikido masters as Kissomaru Ueshiba, Koichi Tohei and Kisaburo Osawa.

An invitation to demonstrate aikido at the 1964 World's Fair brought Yamada Sensei to New York City. He stayed on to become a chief instructor at the New York Aikikai and introduced aikido to the U.S. east coast. By 1972 he had assumed his role as Aikido ambassador to the world, presenting his vigorous, inspiring and joyful teaching style to thousands of appreciative students on practically every continent.

With the remarkable global growth of Aikido since his days as Uchi deshi, Yamada Sensei continued to bring the spirit and heart of aikido to every class, whether for beginners or advanced students. He believed that a solid foundation in aikido basics is crucial for every student's advancement and that intense, positive training is the best path to developing that foundation.

Yamada Sensei passed away on January 15th 2023. He is greatly missed by many and his loss is felt across the Aikido community.

ABOUT SANSUIKAI INTERNATIONAL

Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan founded Sansuikai International to help and support other organisations or any individual Aikido school which needs instruction, help or advice concerning their Aikido activity.

All the members of Sansuikai are under the Aikikai Hombu through Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan and are affiliated with USAF (United States Aikido Federation).