In Ki Fusion Aikido, I've learned about the importance of "ki" and how to cultivate it.
I was amazed the first time I attended the class, and I still am, by how Mal sensei demonstrates the techniques with ki. They seem to be the same Aikido techniques I’ve learned elsewhere, but they are based on a different principle that makes them much more powerful and effective. The fact that soft ki can actually overcome hard physical power in the Aikido we practice here is not just amazing to watch but also really fascinating to experience ourselves through training. Everyone here is friendly and incredibly encouraging. I feel very lucky to be part of Ki Fusion Aikido.
Mal is a genuine, gentle and exceptional leader who does not put himself on a pedestal. Being originally from Japan, I knew some philosophy about Aikido but Mal has taken this to another level and shows us "Ki" in action.
1st Kyu Iwama Style Aikido, 2nd Kyu Ki Fusion Aikido
I first developed a fascination with Martial Arts at a young age as my older brother was a Karate instructor. I thereafter commenced my own journey into training in self-defense with Kickboxing and traditional Boxing during my late teens through to my mid 20’s.
Whilst I enjoyed the physicality of these practices, I felt that something was missing from my training. At that point, I looked for a practice that was more attuned to my beliefs and own philosophies. Once I reached middle age, I was introduced to Aikido and started training with my son at a local club.
After having trained with the organization for a few years, the club was disbanded. At that point I briefly commenced another Martial Art, and it was there that I was introduced to Sensei McRae and his Ki Fusion Aikido during a Seminar he was facilitating.
Seeing Sensei McRae in action, I knew straight away that he would be my future instructor. I then joined Ki Fusion Aikido without delay and have been training with Sensei McRae now for many years and I honestly have never looked back.
It is difficult to put into words and until you experience Sensei McRae’s mastery of the Art first-hand, one cannot truly appreciate the power of Ki and how it can be channeled so effortlessly and accurately to achieve a desired result. We all possess this life force within us but merely need to cultivate and unlock it, to appreciate its full and far- reaching potential.
This can be achieved through the practice of the techniques that Sensei McRae seamlessly demonstrates and instructs during his class.
Whether you are looking for a practice in self-defense, self-development / improvement, or simply an all body integrated exercise routine, I would highly recommend Ki Fusion Aikido and Sensei McRae as an instructor. He is in my opinion the most skilled, patient and dedicated exponent in his field, who has selflessly devoted his life to the Art of Aikido and to his students.
The practice of Ki Fusion Aikido with Sensei McRae has benefitted the quality of my life in so many ways and has increased my general health tremendously both from a physical and mental standpoint. You always leave class feeling a sense of calm and positivity which seemingly flows into other areas of your life naturally.
It is against this background that I would strongly encourage you to try out a class for yourself as I am sure you be amazed by what you experience. You won’t regret it!
I have been training with Sensei Mal McRae for only short time (around 2 years at the writing of this) and I am hooked. Mal’s Aikido training is like no other he is truly a gifted teacher, dedicated to his students and our progression. His focus on the Ki aspects of the mind boggling strength and power behind being soft will stay with me for the rest of my life. He has taught me not to resist, don’t try and be strong or fight with strength, not to be tense and instead to place my mind forward past where I want to go. To focus with intention
‘think up to go down’ and broken timing are some principles that have enhanced my everyday life. I implore anyone who is even toying with the idea to come check him out. After just a few sessions the likelihood is you will be both baffled, and enthralled by the empowering strength of harnessing your Ki!
Thankyou Sensei, it is an honour to train with you.
When I first started aikido, it was a real eye opener for me as it convinced me about how effective this martial art is without using a lot of physical strength that is ever present in most other martial arts.
Mal has shown how soft you need to be as well as how devastating aikido is at a high level
I have not looked back since and I would encourage anybody with a martial art background or an interest in martial arts to give it a try. You will be amazed.
Timothy A – 5th Kyu
Ki fusion Aikido has taught me a lot of things, but the most important to me so far has been the art of Ukemi – the art of receiving a technique, or how to roll, or how to receive a grapple. I did not know how important they were before going into Aikido, and they’re very important. I’ve done a few martial arts before I practiced Aikido. These include such martial arts as: Karate, Judo, and even Jujutsu. None of them delved into how to receive a technique. The most we did was learning how to roll, but we didn’t roll that often. Furthermore, we never learnt how to land from a throw or roll from a throw, or land from a take down.
With Ki Fusion Aikido, not only do we learn how to roll properly, but we do rolling almost every lesson, and we get taught correctly how to receive techniques, and we’re taught how to properly receive grapples, and how to roll out of a throw, and how to properly receive a takedown.
After many years studying with Sensei McRae I’m still enjoying every class (no, not a masochist). Mal’s soft Ki must be seen to be believed, the demonstrations still look like magic. He can execute any technique effortlessly against full resistance, fast or in slow motion.
Mal teaches and demonstrates that we must be relaxed and non-aggressive for aikido to work. It is a great lesson that I started to apply in everyday life, making a conscious effort to relax under pressure.
Started at Tenshin Dojo under Steven Seagal
Former Mr. Universe Body Building Champion
Having trained in Aikido for the last 24 years not to mention the other forms of Martial Arts that I have tried, I have always sought out the best teachers, including my acting coaches and bodybuilding champions. Steven Seagal Sensei and Matsouka Haruo Sensei were my first teachers in Aikido, and they truly embodied and taught me the physical attributes of this marvelous Martial Art. When in Japan I had the privilege to be taught the spiritual and Ki aspect from my Master Abe Sensei. I have to say without a doubt that Mal McRae in my honest opinion embodies both, and is one of the great teachers of our time and I need not look any further.
Mal McRae’s Aikido works and as Steven Seagal Sensei says, if it doesn’t take up dance lessons. I am humbled by his dynamic Aikido and incredible ki power. I highly recommend Mal McRae Sensei to any Martial Artist who is serious about his Art. Mal McRae has taken my Aikido to a different level completely. All I have to say is leave your ego at the door.
Yours in Aiki,
Peter Lindsay
From my first visit Sensei Mal completely captivated my interest into this martial art. Being somewhat skeptical from what I had seen online about Aikido and its effectiveness, Sensei Mal quickly demonstrated how effective Ki is along with its importance. To me the Ki aspect in Aikido is something not just to be seen to believe but more importantly something to experience to believe.
Thank you to Sensei Mal and all the students at Ki Fusion for making me feel welcome. I always look forward and enjoy coming in to learn and be inspired every week.