What to wear
Wear loose fitting/comfortable clothing. Remove jewelry items such as watches, rings, and chains/necklaces. Remove your socks before stepping on the mats. You are welcome to wear a white dogi if you already have one. Change rooms with showers are located on the first floor.
Dojo etiquette
Please show up at least 15-20 minutes before class starts. Bow when entering the training area. A member of the club will be on hand to greet you. You are welcome to observe a class. Please do not talk loudly during class. If you decide to try a class, someone will show you how to step on and off the mats. It is customary for students to kneel (seiza) or sit cross-legged (anza) while the instructor is teaching.
Class structure
Class begins with a traditional short meditation and bow in. The bow in is followed by warm-up exercises to loosen the body and prepare you for practice. The warm up is typically followed by practice of foundational movements (kihon dosa), and of basic techniques. You will be paired with a senior-ranked student who will guide you through the techniques.
Bukiwaza
Aikido is predominantly an unarmed self-defense art. Traditional Aikido schools augment empty hand practice with a small component of regular weapons training. Practice with weapons sharpens understanding of combative distance, teaches students how to focus energy, and connects practitioners with the deep history of the art. Traditional (wooden) weapons are always on hand for beginners.
