Reviews of Aikido Shudokan

Trained at Aikido Shudokan for about 6 months and then had to leave for work reasons. During my time there as a beginner I was well looked after and my progress monitored carefully. They have a very logically structured syllabus which is easy to understand. I was keen to grade but was told to hold back until i was ready. ..which was a good thing. Instructors are very honest . Atmosphere is very strict. ..but I suppose that's what you would expect from a martial arts school. I have trained in several other martial arts dojos including Karate and MMA over the years and found my experience at this dojo on a par if not better than most. Great facilities. ..very clean and user friendly.

Some of the senior instructors do come off as a little Gun Ho but I suppose they train on a different level to most people and take it as part of their lives .

Over all an excellent place to train with the heart in the right place!

Best avoid this place. Constantly pressured to do gradings I wasn't ready for. Some of the students are a bit strange, their whole life is based around this place. Weird. Bit of a mcdojo.

Joe Thambu Shihan (7th Dan) tours the world each year, teaching Yoshinkan Aikido.

When Thambu Shihan comes home to the Aikido Shudokan in Melbourne, it is an absolute privilege to learn with him.

We have four other regular teachers at the Thornbury dojo, Sensei Enrica, Sensei Fulori, Sensei Mark and Sensei Alia. All of the teachers are very friendly and approachable, and they really know their Aikido. The students are friendly too!

The Aikido Shudokan has the best atmosphere and culture you could hope for in a dojo, thanks to Sensei Joe's great character and strong leadership.

If you ask me, Aikido is the most practical and useful martial art. We learn powerful, effective techniques, but prioritize "saving the enemy" - defusing a conflict situation without (necessarily) causing any significant harm to the aggressor.

My son is having great fun doing Aikido in the children's classes, and I'm happy to do Aikido myself at one of the best dojos in the world. Katsu-jin ken! Gambatte Aikido!

This place is more of a cult than a martial arts club/dojo. Last straw for me was when I was made to train with a bunch of 11 year olds. Also the senior black belts treat beginners like crap.

Don't bother, try somewhere else.

This full-time dojo has very experienced instructors, who all show their passion for the art and will stay back after class to work with you. The Chief Instructor, Joe Thambu Shihan, is an inspiration and the way he teaches makes it easy to understand.

The facilities are world-class and there are tatami which are permanently laid down, a weapons area with weapons for you to use, changerooms with showers and a friendly reception.