CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

AYNSW Chief Instructor | 6th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido | B. Business | Dip. Community Services | Certificate IV Youth Work

Whether you be a complete martial arts novice, a past practitioner looking to get back into training or an experienced martial artist from a different discipline, Darren Shihan will give you insights into use of fundamentals that will give you both greater understanding and applied purpose to your techniques.

Darren Sensei began his aikido journey in 1985 training under Joe Thambu Sensei in Melbourne Australia. He undertook the 2nd Kokusai Senshusei Course at Yoshinkan Hombu dojo in 1992 and remained in Japan becoming a staff member of hombu dojo.

Darren Sensei became the senior foreign instructor responsible for the international instructor course (senshusei) and reported directly to Inoue Sensei and Chida Sensei. During this time Darren Sensei also regularly visited Yamanashi prefecture to train under Takeno Sensei. He has accompanied Inoue Sensei, Takeno Sensei and Chida Sensei overseas interpreting and assisting their seminars.

After 13 years in Tokyo at hombu dojo Darren Sensei returned to Australia in 2005, establishing Aikido Yoshinkai NSW in Sydney with Peggy Woo Sensei.

Darren Sensei brings a very practical approach to aikido training. Working together with Paul Cale Sensei (former Australian Commando and military hand to hand combat instructor) they developed AiKinetic as a principle for applied training for Yoshinkan Aikido practitioners.

Darren Sensei has extensive experience working with homeless and disaffected youth, teaching communication and conflict resolution through aikido training.

Darren Sensei currently works as a psychiatric support worker helping adults with autism, schizophrenia and other mental health disorders.

Quote: “Looking at Yoshinkan practitioners around the world I can see that many people have a good grasp of the “how to do”. However, I don’t think everyone has a thorough understanding of the “why” and that is where I try focus as an instructor. Understanding “the why” empowers students and leads to self-improvement with better outcomes for their training.”

INSTRUCTOR

5th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido

Having trained solely at the main headquarters of Yoshinkan Aikido for over 10 years, Peggy has been very fortunate to learn from the top teachers in this art. As an instructor in the Kokusai Bu (International Section), she was responsible for teaching classes, both the regular course and Senshusei Course, and she was also a part of the office administration staff for the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation (IYAF).

Peggy has participated in numerous demonstrations, and as a brown belt, won the top prize in the Kihon Waza Division (Basic Techniques Division) at the 1995 All-Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration. She has also accompanied top Japanese teachers on instructional tours to Australia and Canada.

Peggy has been featured in several magazines such as Sapio, Novark and AYI, and has appeared on the national Japanese television channel NHK as well as the US National Public Radio (NPR). Peggy was also featured in the martial arts series “Go Warrior” that was aired worldwide on The Discovery Channel and The Travel Channel in 2004.

Together with her husband Darren, she is working towards establishing AYNSW as a strong dojo of Yoshinkan Aikido, making a positive contribution to the local community. Peggy Sensei has extensive teaching experience and is currently working in the disabilities sector.