Sensei Michael Paul Williams – Founder Aikido Goshinkai
Sensei Michael Paul Williams was first attracted to Aikido while visiting New Zealand in 1974, where he attended demonstrations by Master Koichi Tohei. He was a serious student of Yoga and Wing Chun Kung Fu at that time. Returning to his homeland of South Africa, he began training with Master Jean Claude Delgueldre, Chief Instructor of Aikido in South Africa. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1978 where he continued his training with the New Zealand Ki Society. He moved to Australia in 1981, where he founded Aikido Ki Society Australia and established his first dojo at Griffith University in Brisbane. In 1985 he was appointed Chief Instructor of Australia by Master Koichi Tohei, Founder of Ki Society International. At that time Master Koretoshi Maruyama was the Chief Instructor of Ki Society International and taught many seminars in Australia and New Zealand.
In 1989, Williams Sensei relocated to Byron Bay in northern NSW where he built ‘Goshinkan Dojo’. Williams Sensei resigned from Ki Society International in January 2002 after a 28-year association with the organisation. At the same time he also resigned from Aikido Ki Society Australia, the group he founded in 1981. After re-establishing contact with Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, Williams Sensei was requested to facilitate the expansion of Aikido Yuishinkai throughout the world.
In October 2003 Michael Williams Sensei was appointed as International Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai.
In May 2006 Michael Williams Sensei and his family relocated to the Fiji islands to establish Aikido Yuishinkai with plans to build an outer island retreat, catering for aikido, yoga and other arts. However, due to the political upheaval in Fiji, he was unable to realise this dream. Williams sensei and his family have now returned to live in Byron Bay, Australia.
In December 2009 Master Koretoshi Maruyama honoured Michael Williams Sensei by presenting him with the level of 10th Dan level in the art of Aikido Yuishinkai.
In the beginning of 2014 Michael Williams Sensei resigned from Aikido Yuishinkai International and founded Aikido Goshinkai, named after his old ‘Goshinkan Dojo’ in Byron Bay.
Williams Sensei has trained in the art of Aikido for 40 years and has dedicated his life to spreading the principle of mind and body coordination and positive mind. He has a vast knowledge of the aikido weapons and has travelled and trained with many renowned experts of jo and bokken. He is an inspiration to many students around Australia and throughout the world. His dynamic, expressive teaching style reflects his experience, humour and compassion.
Michael Williams Sensei – Founder Aikido Goshinkai
Sensei Michael Paul Williams
Founder Aikido Goshinkai
Founder of Aikido Ki Society Australia, 1981
Appointed Chief Instructor of Aikido Ki Society Australia by Master Koichi Tohei, 1985
Founder Goshinkan Dojo in Byron Bay, 1991
Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai Australia, 2002
Appointed Chief Instructor Aikido Yuishinkai International by Master Koretoshi Maruyama, 2003
Received Griffith University Distinguished Service Award, 2006
Awarded 10th Dan by Master Koretoshi Maruyama, 2010
Founder Aikido Goshinkai, 2014
Aikido Goshinkai Vision Statement.
This Vision Statement represents the shared aspirations of individual members of Aikido Goshinkai.
As an organisation we endeavour to promote the vision of Master Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido and Master Michael Paul Williams, the Founder of Aikido Goshinkai.
A vision begins with intuition and dreaming, a cohesive image of an ideal to strive for. Ueshiba Sensei’s vision resulted in the creation of Aikido as a path to universal harmony and world peace.
Aikido Goshinkai is an organisation formed to provide a network of support and resource information for Williams Sensei’s teachings. Aikido Goshinkai instructors strive to provide a safe, dynamic and supportive training environment based on tolerance, ethical values and universal principles to all who enter our dojos. Through Aikido practice and understanding the potency of developing a positive mind, Aikido Goshinkai members make every effort to express this vision in word and deed.
Like ripples generated by a pebble tossed into a pond, it is sincerely hoped that through dedicated and interactive Aikido training, this shared vision of Aikido Goshinkai members will spread like ripples throughout our relationships and the greater community. By the creative and peaceful resolution of conflict in our daily lives, we strive to foster greater harmony within ourselves, with others, the environment and the world.