One of the top 3 reasons people join a martial arts school is to get in better shape. There is no better way to do it! You get the added bonus of learning a potentially life saving skill while improving your overall health. We work with you as an individual and you work at your OWN pace and in a manner that will allow you the most potential for improvement.

Short answer is NO! We have students as young as 6 and as old as 76. The beauty of the Aiki arts is they allow you to mold the system to your abilities. As your abilities grow (at your own pace) the more the art grows with you.

As with anything sports related there is the potential for injury. Your typical bumps, bruises and soreness are all part of the process. What makes Aikido special is that is also teaches you the proper and safe way to receive technique. Much attention is given in the beginning of your training to learn how to take UKEMI (falls) and to work in a relaxed manner. Beginners are treated as such and technique is applied in a softer and relaxed manner until you become more acclimated. We take pride in keeping our students safe while challenging them in a progressive and specific manner.

There are no health requirements as long as you don't have specific instructions from your physician to NOT participate in sports activities. We have many students with previous injuries that thrive and in fact make progress despite old injuries. All health conditions, injuries, previous surgeries and specific medication should be disclosed upon signing up to help us better serve our beginner students.

Yes. Mixed classes include people of all abilities and rank. Senior students help junior students, and everyone goes out of their way to make the new students comfortable. It is expected for senior ranks to “come down” from their level to the beginners not only because it breeds humbleness but the advanced student will always learn something from the beginner, every single time. It is a symbiotic relationship that is very important in the culture of any successful school.

NO...we don't believe in contracts. You pay your monthly dues every month or take advantage of our 3 month pricing and that is it.

There are 6 adult classes and 2 kids classes that are available every week. Classes run Monday-Thursday evenings and Saturday morning. Please see our "Schedule" page on our website for more details.

YES we do. Our system is broken up into six student ranks and six black belt/Instructor ranks. We are unique in that we take a structured approach to teaching and testing. Each student rank is taught a block of information that they are tested on for their next rank. By breaking up the techniques the student (especially in the beginning) is able to focus on only those techniques, thus a more focused student is able to better attain a competency level one step at a time. Tests are cumulative and the amount of techniques and skill sets required increase as the student approaches higher ranks. Please see our "Training Ranks" page on this website for more detailed information.

No. There are no tournaments, no winning or losing, no sparring and no competition. The only thing you need to compete with is yourself. When practicing, you work with a partner or small group. You alternate attack and defense and the vigor of the attack increases as your skill level increases. Ultimately your able to safely practice at full speed and force agains a single attacker, multiple attackers and deal effectively with weapon based attacks.

The only other extra costs are when you begin testing. There are minimal costs for your new belts and certificates. Outside of that there are no hidden fees or charges.