Start Practicing!

Where Can I Find A Dojo:

Aikido Kokikai® groups train all round the globe.  AKFUSA currently tracks all the member dojos within the United States. Use the map to find a dojo close to you.  Not in the USA?  There are dojos in Japan, Australia, Germany, and Israel.

How Do I Join?

Contact the dojo nearest you and speak with the instructor.  Procedures will vary depending on the local dojo's venue as some groups practice within membership restricted buildings like a YMCA or University gyms.  For most dojos, you likely can just show up to any one of the classes listed on their schedule. Ideally arrive 10-15 minutes before class, one of our instructors will greet you as soon as possible and get you started. 

How much does it cost to practice Aikido Kokikai®?

This varies from region to region.  In general, Aikido dojo memberships are typically lower than many other martial arts as they tend to be run as volunteer organizations.  The AKFUSA student annual membership is just $50.

What should I wear to class?

Feel free to wear any clothing that is comfortable, flexible, and durable enough to withstand grabbing, pulling, etc. Ideally, we'd prefer that you wear an Aikido gi (uniform) to follow Aikido tradition and help you avoid damaging your clothes while practicing with us.  For everyone's safety, please remove all jewelry and any loose/dangling piercings before class.

Do I need to be young, strong, quick, fit, big, or tall to do Aikido?

Aikido is for people of all body types and many continue practicing Aikido late into their lives. In Aikido we try our best to use our own strength as little as possible. Instead we use our attacker’s strength and energy to perform our techniques. You are free to practice everything we teach at your own pace. You are never obligated to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Can men and women practice Aikido together?

Of course! Like most martial arts, practicing Aikido requires substantial physical contact. We know that this can be a bit overwhelming at first for some folks. If anyone, at any time, feels uncomfortable with certain techniques they can request to practice a modified version of the technique.  Inappropriate contact is not tolerated.

Is Aikido Kokikai® safe? Will I get hurt?

There is always a chance for injury when practicing a martial art, or any sport for that matter. However, Aikido Kokikai® is arguably significantly safer than other martial arts, because we do not compete with each other. We stress that students respect the pace in which their partners wish to practice. Our goal is to help each other improve our skills and better ourselves, not to beat each other up.  Additionally, Aikido is not a striking art.  Defense does not come from the application of offensive tactics like punching and kicking.  Instead throws and pins are utilized which benefit from thick foam padding under the mat as well as a strong focus on proper and safe falling skills.

Do you offer individual private classes?

The nature of Aikido does not lend itself to private 1:1 instruction for several reasons.  For one, to get good at Aikido one needs to experience attackers of different sizes, strength, flexibility, agility, speeds, etc.   With 1:1 practice you might get really good at throwing the one person who is least likely to ever really attack you.  Secondly, private instruction would mean that the instructor would have to do all the attacking and falling, which, though good exercise, is not a balanced practice nor a mutually beneficial exchange.  This is a particular concern given that almost all Aikido instructors are volunteer.  To that end, the expectation of private 1:1 instruction would be selfish and counter to the community spirit of Aikido.