Our Lineage:

The Maruyama Institute of Aikido


Three martial artists wearing white gi uniforms, black belts, and a badge, standing together in a dojo. They are smiling, with arms around each other, and an elderly woman in the center. There is a picture of a man on the wall behind them.

We are proudly affiliated with the Maruyama Institute of Aikido of São Paulo, Brazil, under the leadership of Roberto Nobuhiko Maruyama Sensei (7th dan). This connection ensures that our students receive authentic, traditional Aikido instruction while benefiting from Maruyama Sensei’s innovative teaching methods and deep understanding of Aikido’s practical applications.

The Maruyama Institute is known for its emphasis on:

  • Practical self-defense applications of traditional techniques

  • Clear, systematic teaching methods that help students progress steadily

  • Respect for tradition combined with adaptation to modern needs

  • International perspective that welcomes practitioners from all cultures


Our regular connection with Brazil—including visits from Maruyama Sensei and opportunities for students to train internationally—enriches our practice and keeps us connected to a global Aikido community.

An elderly man practicing martial arts, wearing a white gi with a black belt, is performing a move on a person lying face down on a table.

Maruyama Sensei

Roberto Nobuhiko Maruyama Sensei (7th Dan, Aikikai) is the founder and chief instructor of the Maruyama Institute of Aikido. He received his hachidan (7th degree black belt) in Aikikai from Hombu in January 2015. He is the first native Brazilian to receive this rank. His teachers include Masakazu Kitahira Shihan (8th dan) and Hironobu Yamada Shihan (8th dan).

Before retiring from the São Paulo police department in 2013, he served as chief instructor of the Police Special Operations Group (Grupo de Operações Especiais). He has trained more than 100 police officers in self defense. He received the “Jorge Tibiriça” medal  in 2010 for outstanding services rendered to the Civil Police of São Paulo State. In addition, he has trained SWAT instructors and police officers in Miami, Orlando, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

The purpose of the Maruyama Institute of Aikido is to disseminate the techniques and guidelines of the Aikikai Foundation of Japan (Hombu Dojo) under the leadership of Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba to improve health, preserve individual integrity, and improve overall quality of life. Because Aikido was created in Japan, the Maruyama Institute also teaches Japanese etiquette and tradition as it relates to the practice of Aikido.

Maruyama Institute includes 25 units in Brazil in São Paulo, Curitiba, Foz do Iguaçu, Pindamonhangaba, Campinas, Jaguariúna, Aracaju, Porto União, João Monlevade (MG) and Abaetetuba (PAN), as well as Aikido of Salt Lake in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The organization has approximately 800 active aikidokas (students).

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”

– Gustav Mahler