Hi everyone

I recently had an experience that has prompted me to ask if any one else has
had the same.

I have been training in Aikido for 10 years. My home dojo is an independent
dojo headed by Catherine Schnell Sensei, with over 25 years experience in
Aikido. Sensei has always provided a solid base in our style she has
encouraged us to train with other teachers and experience different styles and
training environments. During my training I have had the opportunity to train
with some wonderful teachers such as Suzuki Yas Sensei, Endo Sensei,
Ariga Sensei, Patricia Hendrix Sensei, Denis Wheeler Sensei and many
others both interstate and overseas.

So you can imagine how excited I was when I heard the Doshu was coming to
Melbourne Australia. I was even more excited when I heard that Aiki-kai
Australia had a non-member fee. Knowing that it would be an extremely
popular event we promptly sent in our registration forms only to be told that
our registrations had been refused because we did not hold a Dan grading
that was recognized by Hombu Dojo.

You can imagine how disappointed I was that I was denied entry. Having
trained with so many other groups and teachers I have never experienced
such overt discrimination and exclusion at any Aikido event. No one has ever
asked for proof of my Dan grading, nor have I ever practiced Aikido in an
unsafe or disrespectful manner.

I feel embarrassed and sad that Aikido in Australia is dominated by an
organization that excludes and discriminates against fellow Aikido
practitioners. From my experience I have not found this to be the case in
other countries, where I have been told that everyone trains with everyone
and seminars are open to all.

I can't help thinking that the narrow-minded "powers that be" at Aiki-kai
Australia, I would argue, have missed the point of O Sensei's teaching.