Pacific Shizen Aikido, part of AKI Canada.

We started in 2007 in Cadboro Bay and moved to a beautiful purpose built dojo in West Saanich, in 2019. We hold regular practices for teens and adults, 3-4x per week, plus weekend seminars a few times each year with visiting teachers. 

We value friendship and exchange and welcome visiting Aikidoka of any affiliation.

Alix Flavelle - lead instructor

Alix started her Aikido practice in Nelson, BC in 1996 with Jean-Rene Leduc Sensei. She received her 5th-dan through Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 2024. She has made several trips to Japan to train with Takeda Sensei and other senior teachers in AKI.  She has travelled to seminars and dojos of a variety of affiliations in Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Australia, Greece, Switzerland, USA and Canada.

Alix's focus is studying how to relax more, with alignment, so to use the weight of gravity, timing-position, and energetic connection, to redirect an attack. This is an ongoing inner study, in how to change our mind-body habits to ones that smooth and enliven our interactions on and off the mats, as well as our beingness in the world.

Origins

AKI Canada is part of Aikido Kenkyukai International (A.K.I.). which was founded by and currently directed by Yoshinobu Takeda Shihan. Takeda Shihan holds the rank of eighth dan and was a dedicated student of the late master Yamaguchi Seigo Shihan. Takeda Shihan’s main dojo is in Yokohama. There are A.K.I. dojos in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Croatia and France. A.K.I. dojos are registered with Aikikai Honbu Dojo Tokyo.


The scroll found in an AKI dojo comprises only two characters: ai, meaning harmony, and ki, meaning spirit or universal energy. The third character do (meaning path or Way, as in Ai-ki-do) is omitted. This is because Takeda Shihan encourages us to find our own Way, to discover and develop the Art for ourselves. This approach is inspiring and challenging and fun.

AKI Canada

 Jean-René Leduc, 7th dan, founded A.K.I Canada in Nelson, B.C. in 1992. Three of his students, Philipp Gawthrop, Miryam Huchet, and Alix Flavelle, moved to Victoria and started Pacific Shizen Aikido dojo in 2007.  

AKI Canada is a non-profit organization providing classes and practice in the art of Aikido.  

AKI Canada hosts international seminars - with Takeda Shihan and other visiting instructors from Japan. As well we've travelled together to Japan to train - and hope to again soon!

2011 seminar at the original Pacific Shizen Aikido dojo in Cadboro Bay