History of our club
The uOttawa Aikido group was founded in September 1977 by Patrick Augé and Kaoru Sugiyama. Augé Sensei, believing that a dojo was more than just a physical location in which to practice a martial art, set about creating something more profound than a simple activity to fill a time slot. Inspired by dojos in Japan at which he had trained, his vision was of a group of people who come together to train with, and learn from, one another.
Soon after its foundation, Sugiyama Sensei took over the primary teaching role as Augé Sensei established other dojos in the Ottawa/Gatineau area. At first, the uOttawa Aikido group did not practice between semesters, during the summers, or have a regular time slot. With the encouragement of Augé Sensei and the tenacity of a group of aikido students, a club was established with uOttawa Sports Services. The Aikido club was then allowed to practice year-round and have set time slots that no longer varied from term to term.
The uOttawa Aikido group brings together people who want to improve themselves and their community by sharing the art and philosophy of Yoseikan Budo. Furthermore, the club has an important legacy since most of North America’s Yoseikan Budo teachers and black belts began as students at the University of Ottawa. The uOttawa Aikido group continues to welcome new students to train in this fascinating and enriching martial art.
Soon after its foundation, Sugiyama Sensei took over the primary teaching role as Augé Sensei established other dojos in the Ottawa/Gatineau area. At first, the uOttawa Aikido group did not practice between semesters, during the summers, or have a regular time slot. With the encouragement of Augé Sensei and the tenacity of a group of aikido students, a club was established with uOttawa Sports Services. The Aikido club was then allowed to practice year-round and have set time slots that no longer varied from term to term.
The uOttawa Aikido group brings together people who want to improve themselves and their community by sharing the art and philosophy of Yoseikan Budo. Furthermore, the club has an important legacy since most of North America’s Yoseikan Budo teachers and black belts began as students at the University of Ottawa. The uOttawa Aikido group continues to welcome new students to train in this fascinating and enriching martial art.