2024 Yoshinkan / Aikikai Fundraiser Seminar with Robert Mustard and Tony Hind

Date: Saturday, April 6 2024
Time: 12PM – 3PM
Cost: Adults $50, Students $30
Location: Abbotsford Judo Club, 31410 Maclure Road
Registration: Click here to Register

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 6th, 2024. Abbotsford Aikido will be hosting a joint Yoshinkan/Aikikai seminar at the Abbotsford Judo Club. The seminar will be followed by a social event with beers and barbecue at Steve’s house in Mission.

All proceeds will be donated to The James Paul Martin Memorial Grant. We extend an open invitation to participate in the seminar followed by a laid-back gathering featuring beers and burgers.

The late Paul Martin Sensei, a former president of the BC Aikido Federation and a respected member of the British Columbia and Canadian Aikido community, left an enduring legacy before his passing on August 25, 2012. In his honor, The James Paul Martin Memorial Grant was established by East Vancouver Aikikai, with the support of Paul’s family and close friends.

Since 2012, the Canadian Aikido Association has raised over $22,000 through seminars and class fees from East Van and Downtown Vancouver Aikikai. The majority of these funds contribute to a non-profit after-school Expressive Arts Program at Strathcona Elementary School in East Vancouver. This program, overseen by Stacey Dallyn, founder of The Art Hub and a registered art therapist, operates twice a week, serving children in need.

Our esteemed instructors for the event are Robert Mustard Shihan and Tony Hind Shihan. Robert Mustard, with over 35 years of Yoshinkan Aikido training, completed the intensive 9-month “Senshusei” training course in Tokyo. He was awarded the title of Shihan in August 2011 and achieved the rank of hachidan (8th degree black belt) in September 2015. Recognized worldwide as one of the best Yoshinkan Aikido practitioners and instructors, he left the Aikido Yoshinkai Foundation on July 7, 2023, to head his own independent association – Aikido Shobukai.

Tony Hind, who traveled to Japan in September 1987 to train at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, was accepted as a kenshusei in October 1990. As the last foreign kenshusei to live at Hombu Dojo and receive direct training from Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba, he holds the esteemed position of 7th dan Shihan. Hind Shihan, also a co-founder and technical director of the Canadian Aikido Association, moved back to Canada in 2001 after founding and teaching at seven dojos in Tokyo and Yokohama. His extensive experience includes teaching at the Canadian Embassy and military personnel in Shinjuku, as well as accompanying the Founder’s grandson and current Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba, on overseas travels.

Follow this link to register for the April 2024 Paul Martin Fundraiser seminar.

Congratulations to Steve Watson

Congratulations to Sensei Steve Watson for his very well deserved promotion by recommendation to the rank of 5th Dan at the Kagami Biraki ceremony held January 7, 2023 at The Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo!

Not only is Steve the Dojo-cho of Abbotsford Aikido but is also a founding member of the Canadian Aikido Association whom without his hard work we wouldn’t be an organization.

We all look forward to the 5th celebration in the near future and seeing him on the mats!

Happy 2023

We missed posting a New Year greeting last year because we were so happy not to be locked down.

Regular class times will continue on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Our Sunday afternoon class will also continue but may be cancelled; please check our Facebook page for the latest updates.

Good luck to all in 2023! We are looking forward to another great year of training. Work hard like Usagi Yojimbo.

Happy New Year

2020 has undoubtedly been the most difficult year for our dojo and Aikido world wide. The COVID-19 pandemic meant a total shutdown in March to a partial resumption with outdoor weapons classes in the summer to modified classes indoors in the autumn months before a shutdown at the end of November.

We’re looking forward to seeing what 2021 has in store. We’re planning to resume our modified program starting on January 10th with Sunday morning weapons class.

Here’s hoping the year of the Ox will be calmer than that of the Rat.

Club COVID-19 Update

The first class under COVID-19 restrictions was a success – plenty of stretches – solo footwork and Ukemi.

There was a slight revision to the start time on Tuesday and Thursday- we’ll start at 8:15 pm in future.


We will also continue non-contact exercises for the foreseeable future with weapons classes on Sundays.

Our COVID-19 Practices

A Cohort (not to exceed 10 individuals) will resume practice in the Abbotsford dojo.

As per the Provincial Health guidelines those attending must conform to the regulations pertaining to Covid-19 abatement.

A mask must be worn at all times in the dojo and strict COVID-19 sanitation procedures adhered to. No observers or guests are permitted in the dojo at this time.

Please contact the administrator if you are interested in attending.