Aikikai Aikido Cairns Freshwater Dojo

12/09/2026

The man is back!
Welcome back Dimitri.
Great class today.

29/08/2026

31/07/2026

It is always a pleasure have international guests like Felipe from Chile that choose Freshwater Dojo and "locals one" like David from Brisbane, together along with few of Freshwater students. Thank you all.

20/05/2026

Aikido and Budo Publishing collection available now on amazon.com

20/05/2026

Few more pics from Arigato Festival Aikido Demonstration 2026

15/05/2026

Thank you Dimitri for your commitment, passion and effort that you demonstrated until last night.
Have a safe trip and looking forward to see you back on tatami at your return.
Ciao a presto

12/05/2026

Arigato Festival Aikido Demonstration 2026

It's not easy to give an Aikido demonstration in a space of just 15 square meters. But the Freshwater guys did a fantastic job. The audience, who were admiring our performance, was very engaged and engaged. Thank you all.

17/04/2026

What is the Kotodama?
The Kotodama is a Japanese principle that holds that sounds and words have spiritual and creative power.
Every vibration you emit—whether vocal or internally—affects your mind, your energy(ki), and your way of acting.
It's not empty mysticism: it's the idea that your intention has a frequency.. and that frequency manifests itself in your movement.
Why was it key to Morihei Ueshiba?
The Sensei understood that Aikido was not just a physical technique. Influenced by currents like the Omoto-kyo, he saw training as a way to line up:
🔵Mind
🔵Breathing
🔵Energy
For him, the Kotodama was a tool to unify all that from within.
How does it impact your Aikido?
A technique doesn't work just by force or form.
It works when there is internal coherence:
• Clear intention
• Breathing connected
• Natural Movement
The Kotodama acts as that "invisible engine" that gives life to the technique.
The real difference.
You can do Aikido 'right'...
or you can do Aikido with real presence.
The difference is not always seen,
but it is felt immediately.
The Kotodama was fundamental for Morihei Ueshiba because it allowed him to go beyond technique.
Don't just make moves...
but to give them intention, direction and life.