Uchideshi Program

Newcastle Aikido

(Australia)

A Traditional Apprenticeship in Aikido

Apply Now

Not a retreat.
Not a break from life.
A commitment to the path.

The Uchideshi (内弟子) program at Newcastle Aikido is a traditional, immersive apprenticeship for dedicated Aikido practitioners who wish to place training, service, and personal discipline at the centre of their lives for a defined period.

This program is demanding by design.
It is intended for those who seek depth, structure, and responsibility — not comfort or escape.

  • The uchideshi system is a long-standing tradition in Japanese martial arts, where a student lives and trains within the dojo environment, committing fully to daily practice and service.

    At Newcastle Aikido, uchideshi training is an apprenticeship in:

    • Consistent, embodied practice

    • Responsibility to the dojo and its community

    • Personal refinement through discipline and service

    • Immersion in a serious, traditional training environment

    This program is not intended as a lifestyle experience or a pause from external responsibilities.
    It is for those willing to step into greater commitment.

    • Have a strong desire to deepen your Aikido practice beyond regular classes

    • Are prepared to place dojo life and training above personal convenience

    • Value structure, repetition, and accountability

    • Are open to physical, mental, and personal challenge

    • Understand that growth comes through consistency and service

    • Are willing to undertake a traditional apprenticship as completed by many of the worlds top teachers

    • Seeking rest, recovery, or time away from life responsibilities

    • Looking for therapy, healing, or a personal reset

    • Unwilling to commit fully to the daily rhythm of dojo life

  • Applicants must meet one of the following:

    • Hold a minimum rank of 3rd kyu or above, or

    • Provide a letter from their current instructor outlining why they are suitable for the uchideshi program

  • All applications must include:

    1. A personal letter outlining your intentions and reasons for applying

    2. A résumé detailing education, profession, and martial arts training

    3. A letter of recommendation from your current instructor (if applicable)

    4. Proof of emergency medical insurance, maintained for the full duration of training and valid in Australia

    5. Must communicate in basic English

    6. The candidate must be able to pay for training and accommodation in the dojo as well as meals

    7. The candidate must be able to cook, wash and perform basic everyday activities

    • Initial applications are accepted for minimum of three months

    • At the three-month mark, an interview will be conducted to assess suitability for continuation

  • FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

    Tuition. All training at Newcastle Aikido.

    First 3 months to be paid upon acceptance (AU$750) thereafter $250/month.

    Accommodation.

    First 3 months to be paid upon acceptance (AU$1,200) thereafter $400/month. Includes

    • All sensible utilities including internet

    Food

    Uchideshi are responsible for their own food. If there are more than one Uchideshi, they are required to eat communally and share cooking duties and food costs.

    If finances present a genuine barrier, this may be discussed with the Chief Instructor.

    Financial difficulty alone does not exclude an applicant.

Daily Life

Daily Training

(Approx. 6 Hours)

Uchideshi are expected to attend all classes, including:

  • Aikido

  • Weapons training

  • Iaido

  • Zen practice

  • Misogi (breath and purification practices)

Samu – Work Practice

(Approx. 4 Hours)

Samu is an essential component of training and may include:

  • Cleaning and maintenance of the dojo

  • Repairs and improvement projects

  • Gardening and grounds care

  • Cooking and baking

  • Supporting the daily operation of the dojo

Additional Commitments

  • Attendance at all local seminars during the training period

  • Participation in Zen and Misogi intensives

  • Ongoing self-study outside of formal training hours

Time Off

  • Uchideshi are generally free from Saturday afternoon until Sunday evening

  • This applies only when there are no local seminars, sesshins, or special dojo training events

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. We accept applications from both Australian and international students.

    International applicants are responsible for ensuring they hold an appropriate visa and can legally remain in Australia for the duration of their training. We recommend researching visa requirements before applying.

  • No. Newcastle Aikido does not provide visa sponsorship.

    Applicants must independently arrange and maintain their own visa, travel, and legal requirements.

  • Whilst not prohibited, he program is physically demanding and requires consistent daily training, making outside study or work secondary.

    Applicants should arrive with a reasonable level of fitness, resilience, and familiarity with regular training volume. The workload increases through consistency rather than intensity alone.

    If you are recovering from injury or managing a medical condition, this must be disclosed prior to application.

  • No.

    Applicants must be at least 3rd kyu, or provide a letter from their current instructor explaining why they are suitable for uchideshi training.

    This program is not designed to teach basic Aikido foundations.

  • At the three-month mark, an interview will be conducted to assess:

    • Commitment to training

    • Ability to meet daily responsibilities

    • Integration into dojo life

    Continuation beyond three months is not automatic and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

  • The uchideshi path is challenging, and not all applicants will find it suitable.

    If it becomes clear that the program is not an appropriate fit, this will be discussed openly. Tuition and contributions are non-refundable once the training period has commenced.

  • Yes.

    Zen and Misogi are integral parts of the training program.
    If you have serious religious objections, this must be discussed with the Chief Instructor before applying.

  • Only a small number of uchideshi are accepted at any given time to ensure quality of training and appropriate support.

    Acceptance is based on suitability, not availability.

  • No.

    The uchideshi program does not offer certification or formal qualifications per se, participants will be graded to an appropriate level and will be permitted to undertake Kenshusei (teacher training) at the discretion of the Chief Instructor.
    Progress is reflected in training, forging the body, building character, and responsibility.

  • Application enquiries must be submitted to the Chief Instructor via letter, the contact form below, or email: info@newcastleaikido.com

    Not all applicants will be accepted.

  • A Final Word

    The uchideshi path is demanding.
    It requires consistency, humility, and sustained effort.

    Those who complete this apprenticeship do not leave with a certificate.
    They leave shaped by repetition, responsibility, and daily practice.

    If you are seeking comfort, this is not the program.
    If you are seeking depth, refinement, and commitment — you are invited to apply.

  • The uchideshi path is not explained — it is lived.
    What it gives is earned through repetition and responsibility.

    If this resonates, apply with care and honesty.

  • This is a serious training commitment.
    It requires consistency, humility, and service.

    If you are prepared to show up daily and place the work first, apply.
    If not, this is not the right time.

Applications are limited and carefully reviewed.
Interviews are required.

Apply for the Uchideshi Program via contact form