Aikido in Auroville
"Aikido is not meant for a country or a person alone. Its unique aim is to accomplish God's work... When I am asked if the principles of my budo are inspired by religion, I say no. The principles of my budo enlighten religions and lead them to their goal... The Path means to be united with God's will and to put it into practice. Aikido is the path which gathers human beings together, leads them to union... It is the path of the world harmonization which makes of humanity one house."
Morihei Ueshiba
A Traditional Martial Art
Aïkido is a martial art, which was created in the 1920s by Morihei Ueshiba, a master who had trained at the highest level in the traditional Japanese martial arts. There are no competitions in Aïkido; an aggressor's attack may be stopped without harming or injuring him/her. Aïkido is a path which aspires for the unity of humankind, the unification of the self with the universe, the union of Spirit and Matter. Seen as such, and in the perspective of the integral development of the being as emphasized by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, it is no wonder that Aïkido has always been greatly valued in Auroville.
The Auroville Aikido School
Aïkido has been practiced in Auroville since its very early years and continues to grow as a vibrant, living martial art within the community.Today, the Auroville Aïkikai (school of Aïkido) is led by Cristo & Rita, long-time students of Serge Brelin, together with Murugan & Michael, who contributes as a professor to the development of both practice and teaching. Philippe is also part of the teaching team, with a specific involvement in the children’s program. Michael and Philippe are students of Jean-Pierre Pigeau (7th Dan), a direct student of Nobuyoshi Tamura (8th Dan), whose teaching has a major influence on the technical and pedagogical orientation of the Budokan dojo.
Children’s Aïkido Program
A central part of the school’s activity is dedicated to children’s Aïkido. Classes are taught by Philippe and Michael and are fully integrated into the Dehashakti Sports Program. Around 70 children attend classes every week, making this program a key pillar of Aïkido practice in Auroville.Through a playful, structured and respectful approach, children develop coordination, confidence, attention and cooperation, while being introduced to the core values of Aïkido.
International Workshops and Lineage
The school maintains a strong culture of international exchange through regular workshops and seminars held at the dojo.
Over the years, Auroville Aïkido has welcomed many high-level international teachers, including:
- Jean-Pierre Pigeau (7th Dan)
- Henri Avril (7th Dan)
- Luc Bouchareu (7th Dan)
- Bertrand Berthelot (6th Dan)
- André Palméri (6th Dan)
- Catherine Bouvet (5th Dan)
- Mihali Dobroka (4th Dan)
- Alexandra Bac (4th Dan)
- Sylvain Gacond (4th Dan)
These encounters contribute significantly to the technical, pedagogical and human development of the practice.
Please click in the following link and visit our website at http://wiki.auroville.org.in/wiki/Auroville_Budokan
Alongside the children’s program, adult and teenage practitioners of many nationalities train regularly in Auroville, with strong participation from the local bio-region. Murugan, who comes from the bio-region, plays an active role in guiding the daily practice together with Michael and Cristo.
Since August 2015, classes have been held at the Auroville Budokan, located in Dehashakti/Dana, the permanent and dedicated Aïkido dojo. Visitors of all levels, including complete beginners, are welcome to join the practice.
Complementary Practices at the Budokan
In alignment with the values of Aïkido, the Auroville Budokan also hosts a range of complementary practices that support body awareness, balance, and well-being. These include Aïkitaiso, Yoga, Shiatsu, Tai Chi, and body awareness workshops. Offered as regular classes or occasional workshops, these practices encourage a holistic approach to movement, health, and inner development, and are open to Budokan members and the wider community.
