Our Dojo
Tenko Unity Aikido is an inclusive dojo and House of Equanimity based in Melbourne, Australia. We train in the non-competitive art of Aikido and we see it as “the way of harmonious spirit”. Following in the footsteps of the founder’s philosophy, our goal in the practice of Aikido is to overcome oneself instead of cultivating violence or aggression.
Our Name
The name of our dojo, 天孝 (Tenko), was chosen by Kawai Shihan and has a special meaning. 天 (ten) means "heaven" or "sky," while 孝 (ko) means "filial piety," which is a value that emphasises respecting and caring for one's parents and ancestors. The name doesn't have a direct English translation but can be understood as "Heavenly Filial Piety".
Filial piety and respect for elders are important values in Confucianism, which has had a profound effect on Japanese culture, society and politics. Aikido, being a martial art that values harmony and non-violent conflict resolution, is consistent with these values. The character 天 (ten) is also associated with spirituality and the natural world in Japanese culture, particularly in the context of Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion. This suggests a connection to these spiritual beliefs.
So, the name Tenko reflects a mix of traditional Japanese values, spiritual beliefs, and the practice of Aikido.
Our Vision
We envision Tenko Unity Aikido as a safe and open space where a community of learners can come together to experience and embody the practice of Aikido. We believe that through these practices, we can find a way to deepen the quality of our individual lives, expand our limitations - whether in the mind or body, and contribute to society by first working on ourselves. We aim to strengthen our connections with our local community and the wider world, making the training and teachings of Aikido available to as many as possible today, tomorrow and into the future.
Our Mission
To foster a harmonious way of living and being through the traditional Japanese discipline of Aikido. As a non-profit institution, we provide a sanctuary in Melbourne where individuals from all backgrounds can come together, grow, evolve and flourish through the training of this martial art.
We promote further understanding of this traditional Japanese art, as well as other Japanese cultural activities, by:
enabling and encouraging students to travel to other dojos and practice communities,
introducing high-level instructors from around the world to our dojo in Melbourne, and
cultivating and supporting future instructors of Aikido at various levels of the profession.
To make these activities available to all, we provide financial assistance to those who need it. Please get in touch if you would like to learn more. We also welcome engagement with schools, other not-for-profit organisations, and community organisations who would like to learn more and share in our practice.
The Australian Jujitsu Federation Inc. accredits our instructors – National Sporting Organisation (NSO) recognised by the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission and Sport Australia.
Tenko Unity Aikido is a member of Unity Aikido, an organisation founded by Sensei Hanifa Leoni Macfarlane - Headmaster, 7th Dan Unity Aikido, 8th Dan JAA. to promote the highest quality of training and practice of Aikido.
Tenko Unity Aikido does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, or national origin.
Mark Araujo
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR - 3rd DAN AIKIKAI
Meet Mark Araujo, a creative graphic designer and passionate Aikido practitioner born in Brazil. Mark's journey with Aikido started in 1997 under the guidance of Kawai Sensei in São Paulo, Brazil. Since then, Aikido has become a central part of Mark's life, inspiring him to create positive change in the world.
As a designer, Mark's creativity knows no bounds. He holds a diploma in visual communications and has lent his design skills to various projects over the years. In 2001, Mark organised and designed a book titled Aikido - Philosophy and Technique, authored by Ernesto Cohen, showcasing his talent and passion for both design and Aikido.
Mark's dedication to Aikido extends beyond his own training. He has assisted his Aikido master on several occasions, including being his uke for an Aikido training tour in Europe in 2004 and helping to reopen and look after a dojo in São Paulo. Mark has also collaborated with his Zen teacher, Monja Coen Roshi, to bring meditation and Aikido to an orphanage in the suburbs of Pinheiros, São Paulo in 2005.
In 2006, Mark moved to Australia, where he continues to practice Aikido and use his creative talents to make a positive impact in the world. Whether through design or Aikido, Mark's goal is to inspire others to be the best version of themselves and to create a more harmonious and balanced world.
Our Lineage
Reishin Kawai
8th DAN AIKIKAI JAPAN
Munenori Reishin Kawai (28 February 1931-26 January 2010) was an 8th dan Aikikai Aikido Shihan and Mark’s sensei for over 14 years while he lived in Brazil. In his younger years, Kawai’s health was fragile, which led him to turn to acupuncture and the practice of Sumo wrestling and Kenjutsu. In his youth, he became an uchi-deshi (a live-in student or apprentice who trains under and assists a sensei on a full-time basis) for 7 years in the household of Torataro Saito, who taught him traditional Japanese medicine - as well as Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu and Ueshiba’s Aiki-Budo.
He then studied at Tsukushoku University, graduating as an M.D. in Traditional Medicine before proceeding to become an associate professor in the subjects of general acupuncture and moxa technique. During the time, he continued his Aikijujutsu studies at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo - primarily studying with O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba and his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba, as well as with Morihiro Saito for several years before emigrating to Brazil and setting up practice as an M.D.
In 1963, the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, presented him with the Shihan diploma (the official acknowledgement as a Master level teacher) in recognition of his high standards and his efforts to disseminate Aikido - which Kawai Sensei continued to do so, introducing Aikido in Brazil and helping to spread it throughout all South America. From 1976 to 1984 he was Vice President of The International Aikido Federation (IAF), subsequently becoming Director General of The South American Aikido Federation and the official representative of Aikikai Hombu Dojo in that subcontinent.
Hanifa Leoni Macfarlane
8th DAN JAPAN AIKIDO ASSOCIATION
Hanifa Leoni Sensei is the founder of Unity Aikido, a martial arts school with centres across Australia, including our very own Tenko Unity Aikido. Hanifa studied and practiced Tomiki Aikido from the age of 19 in the UK and joined the Tomiki Aikido Federation of Great Britain (TAFGB), which merged with the British Aikido Association. She trained at the Lambeth and North London Dojos with sensei John Gay (Aikido 3rd Dan Japan Aikido Association), posthumously 7th Dan Japan Aikido Association (JAA) as well as at the Trentham dojo with sensei Rex Benlow (2nd Dan TAFGB), for approximately two years.
She founded the Ashwood Aikido Club in 1968 at the invitation of sensei Frank Dando (6th Dan Judo) and was a founding member of the Australian Aikido Association alongside sensei John Gay. She has also visited Waseda University in Japan several times to train under Tomiki Sensei and in 1977 hosted his visit to Australia.
Throughout her years as a martial arts practitioner, Hanifa has taught Aikido as self-defence across community centres and schools in Melbourne. In 1988, she founded the Aikido School of Melbourne in Ashwood which she ran for 8 years before moving to Tasmania. In 1996, she opened a dedicated Tomiki Aikido Dojo in Port Huon and founded Unity Aikido. In 2000, a full-time Hobart dojo followed where her student, James Carolan (4th Dan) currently runs.
Hanifa believes that in essence, Aikido is a movement art that anyone can do at any age. Her passion for the practice is evident in her recently published book titled ‘Unity Aikido - Origin, Form and Essence’. Outside of Aikido, Hanifa has also studied Fine Arts and Graphic Arts. Her work has been exhibited at Contemporary Art Australia, Melbourne and in Tasmania group shows for over 20 years.
290a Inkerman St
St Kilda East, VIC 3183
Beginners Classes
Monday–Wednesday
7:00pm–8:15pm
Phone
+61 450 122 311
Become a Member
$140
REGISTRATION
Includes a student handbook and a uniform.
$20
SINGLE CLASS MAT FEE
Monthly fee
$120
JUNIORS (8-14)
$110
CHILDREN (5-7)
$120
STUDENTS
$160
ADULTS
As a traditional school, all students are welcomed and expected to personally develop a teacher-student relationship with Sensei and the Dojo community. Registering students (and beginners) may come and train in an unlimited number of classes and are never excluded from training sessions. Sensei commits himself to cultivating each student’s development, personally. It is through this relationship that the deeper understandings of Aikido are transmitted.
DUES POLICY
All dues, registration and fees are non-refundable.
Dojo Etiquettes
The discipline and training of the ego and humility begins with the practice of rituals and respect for the hierarchy within the Dojo and in our lives. Here are some tips:
Never wear shoes in the tatami area.
When you get off the mat, put on your slippers. Especially if you have to return to the mat, never step off barefoot and return with dirty feet.
Always keep your feet and your dogi clean.
It is the students’ obligation to sweep and keep the mat and practice area clean.
Before starting training, sit in seiza in order of rank. The black belts sit closer to the shrine.
The training begins with a bow to the shrine and sensei.
Do not talk during the sensei’s explanations.
Do not leave the mat without asking for your instructor permission.
Remember to take off rings, earrings, neckless and any other jewellery that could hurt you or your training partner.
Say Onegai shimasu (please) when starting training or starting a kata.
Always give thanks by saying Domo airigato gosaimasu after training.
Never correct someone higher in rank than you.
Mark your presence on the list.
Everything has its time. Your sensei will invite you to take the belt exam when he thinks you are ready. Remember that he’s been training longer than you have and, within aikido, he knows when a person is ready or not. Asking your sensei to take the exam is considered disrespectful.
Pay your monthly fee on time as it is essential for the maintenance of the Dojo.