Adult Aikido
Frequently Asked Questions
Bellow are a few of the most common questions we receive about adult
Aikido class.
General
Adult Class
Costs
Getting Started
Not finding your
question, email your question to
jason@kndojo.com.
How do you say the name of your school?
Ki Nagare
Dojo is pronounced like "key nah-gah-ray doe-joe." Ki Nagare
Dojo means "place of the way of flowing energy." Ki Nagare (sometimes
written as ki no nagare or kinagare)is a term used to describe movements
that have smooth flowing movement.
Where are classes held?
Classes
are held upstairs in the Oak Avenue Community Center (the old armory).
Click here for directions.
How can I contact you?
By email:
jason@kndojo.com or phone/text
715-650-0308
What ages do you teach?
We have
two different class groups separated by age.
Kids class is
for ages 5 to 14,
adult class
is for ages 15 and up.
When do you have class?
Click here for our current
class schedule.
What martial art do you teach?
We teach
Aikido. Aikido is a Japanese martial art that focuses on using
timing and leverage to control attackers instead of strikes.
Click here for more details
about Aikido.
Do you allow your students to study
other martial arts?
Yes, we
don't want our students to be with us because they feel are trapped.
We have no objection to our students expanding their martial arts
knowledge.
How does it compare to Tae Kwon Do?
It
doesn't, Tae Kwon Do and Aikido are two very different martial
arts. Thinking all martial arts are the same is like thinking
Tennis and Football are the same because they are both sports with a
ball.
Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art known for its strikes (especially
kicks) with a competitive sport focus. Aikido is a Japanese martial art known for
using joint locks and throws with no competition or sport element (this
is a general summary and schools will vary their styles).
How does it compare BJJ / Jiu Jitsu?
They are cousin arts but they are clearly a different
type of class. Aikido, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu all derive from their parent art of Japanese
Jujitsu. Jujitsu is the empty handed fighting
system of the samurai. The samurai had a broad
arsenal of fighting methods each of the modern schools
focus on different areas. The core principles of
timing, movement and leverage overlap, but the details
of the application and methods of practice are
different.
Aikido techniques are primarily standing techniques.
Study is divided between empty handed, weapons and
multi-attacker.
Is this a religious
thing?
No.
You will see we have several habits about showing respect. We bow coming on
and off the mat, we bow to each other and do a formal bow at the start
and end of class. Bowing is an eastern form of showing respect as
common as shaking hands in the west.
We often
show respect to the Shomen (area at the front of the room with the
picture of the founder of Aikido). This is a memorial to those teachers who passed the style on to us. We bow
to show respect to the heritage of our school.
Adult Class
Do I need any other martial arts training?
No, many
people begin training in Aikido with no background in martial arts.
Others have decades of martial arts before starting. Aikido works
well as you foundation in training or a new layer of defense.
What kind of shape do I need to be in to start?
When you
start you are not expected to be in any great level of physical shape.
You can work your way up in practice, pacing yourself based on your
physical ability.
Am I too old?
It is
doubtful. You need to have a certain level of maneuverability to
do techniques, but age is generally not something that stops people from
doing Aikido. Aikido is often labeled an "old man style."
This is because the minimalist approach to strength and movement to the
techniques are credited as being something and 'old man' would use.
Since none of us are getting any younger this makes Aikido a great long
term approach to self defense.
Do women train at your school?
Yes,
Aikido is a very popular martial art for women. With no dependence
on strength and training driven by self improvement, many women find
Aikido to be the choice martial art to train in.
Click here for
more info.
Costs
How much does it cost?
Pricing
varies according to your method of payment and if you qualify for any
discounts. Your first month you pay a registration fee that will
cover your first month of classes and your first uniform. After
that you pay a monthly rate that will vary depending on method of
payment. Contact us to
ask for current pricing, be sure to include the age and number of people
interested in class so we can explain your potential discounts.
Do you require contracts?
No, we
offer discounts if you sign up for 30 day notice or 6 month term autopay
(billed monthly), but it is not required. You have the option of
paying cash or check each month. The options are flexible and
there are options to change your mind later.
Are there any discounts?
Yes, we
offer discounts to students, multiple family members, and using our
autopay system.
Do you charge for rank testing?
NO! For all
kids ranks and adult kyu (prior to black) ranks there are no testing
fees. We do not charge for the test, the belt, or your
certificate.
Do rates go up as you climb rank?
No, there
is a base rate for students in the kids class and one for students in
the adult class, and they are not adjusted or added to because of your
rank.
Getting Started
When can I start?
You are
able to start throughout the year. Classes go all year. We
do try to group beginner students together to make sure they get proper
attention on the basics. You can use our registration form and
sign up for a free trial
period.
Do I need anything before I can start?
Take a look at our
Getting Started page.
It will walk you through the starting process.
Can I just watch?
Yes, you are always
welcome to watch a class, but to really understand
Aikido you are going to have to try it.
Can I try before I buy?
We insist.
Your first class is free. Try it and make sure this is something
you want to do before we go any further.
What do I wear?
When you are first trying class dress in
comfortable workout clothes. Like a t-shirt and sweatpants, shorts
are OK, but it is best if you can cover your legs since during class
they may often rub against the mat.
Once you pay your registration fee you will be
given your first uniform.
What if I have a gi from another class?
If you have a gi from Karate or Tae Kwon Doe, you can wear it with a
white belt to start with, but once you practice regularly you will want a regular
Aikido Gi (it is a heavier weave like those used in Judo and Jiu Jitsu).
Ready to give it a try?!
| 