Bond Street Dojo :: About Our Dojo


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Classes are open to all members regardless of experience or rank, except where otherwise noted. The distinction between the beginner, basic, and regular classes is one of focus rather than skill level.

Beginner Classes: These classes help familiarize students with the most basic building blocks of Aikido. An extended warmup period emphasizes irimi (entering) and tenkan (turning and opening) movements, lowering the center of gravity and basic ukemi (falling or, literally, receiving) skills. The techniques that follow show how these movements come into play when working with a partner. Although these classes provide a good introduction to Aikido for new students, they are beneficial to Aikidoists of all levels.

Basics Classes: Basics classes emphasize techniques that students are first tested on in the lower ranks. Generally, techniques will be organized along one theme (various ways of using one movement, for example, or various ways of responding to one attack), and enough time will be given to each technique so that beginners can start to become familiar with it, while more advanced practioners can work to improve execution.

General Classes: These are, for the most part, taught by our chief instructors. The techniques taught can be more advanced and beginning students may feel at times confused and out of place. But that's the same way people who have been practicing for years often feel. Welcome to Aikido.

Advanced Classes: By instructors permission.

Teen Classes: open to students 12+ or by instructors permission.

If you are a teen interested in practicing martial arts or a parent interested in having your child practice, please email aikido@bondstreet.org or phone (212.477.0899) the dojo for more information.

Free Practice: Intended to provide members preparing for kyu test with extra time to work with their sponsers, free practice is open to all members interesting in working on any aspect of their aikido practice.

Even if you are not testing, free practice is an excellent opportunity to work on your ukemi. Members preparing for testing need someone to throw ;-)

Free practice is schedule several weeks before kyu testing.

Last updated: 6 Oct 2006