Beginners! Welcome!

1. Sign up for a free trial class or watch a class

2. Once you have decided you want to continue, sign up for either the six week Beginner’s Course which entitles you to six weeks of unlimited classes and then qualifies you for the three month special. After that, you can sign up for a regular student membership. 

OR sign up for regular classes. Consult price schedule.

The Beginner’s Course is run alongside the general class.  You receive six weeks instruction, a quality uniform, the Beginner’s Workbook and the Student Manual, hard  copy. You also have access to the online beginner’s manual on Zen Planner. After the Beginner’s Course ends, you are eligible for the special rate of the next 3 months at $180.00. The Beginner’s Course is a great way to find out if Aikido is right for you!

The Beginners Course is offered in conjunction with the general classes so please consult the class schedule.  You can start any time.

After completing the Beginner’s Course you are qualified for the three month special

No.  Just wear comfortable clothing, long pants and sleeves recommended.  Ideally you will have a GI (martial arts uniform) by the time you take the 6th Kyu test. 

Not at all.  Most of our students did not start with prior martial arts experience. 

Absolutely! Aikido does not rely on size or muscle power.  We learn a lot of self defense technique in our classes that is useful for any gender. 

Yes! our Sensei says he had the most inspiration in his 50’s and is still practicing Aikido in his 80’s. You can get stronger as you grow older by practicing Aikido

The most important quality is a desire to learn. However, we do practice in pairs.  Therefore you may be touching someone else sometimes. Our classes are Co-Ed so you may be practicing with a different gender.  We learn to roll, a low roll on the mat.  Most people enjoy learning rolls and to fall in general as a useful technique. If you fear dizziness bring peppermint lozenges!
We have ranks, 6th Kyu through 1st and then three levels of black belt

Unfortunately Aikido practitioners  from outside of Kokikai will need to start over at 6th Kyu. If you are visiting from another martial art  please obtain instructor permission, you are not eligible for a free class. Please do not wear your rank belt during class without permission. Extra white belts are available.

Beginning students learn basic falls, language and Foundational technique.  More advanced students focus on “Koku Nage” or “breath throw” and perfect their “ukemi” which is a high roll. Basically it is about progressing in your throws to the point where the use doesn’t realize he or she is being thrown. More details in class! 

This form of Aikido is easy in that all the movements are easy to do for most people.  It is purposefully based on natural stance and natural movements. What I like is that once you are used to it (you can feel a little worn out the first two weeks) it is a gentle form of exercise, particularly core but some aerobic for the more advanced, that doesn’t leave one so worn out they don’t want to exercise the next day!