Attire

​In Japanese martial arts, practice is a time where we leave the outside world outside and focus on the art.  For this reason, practice attire should be modest and non-distracting; hence the pajama-looking clothes called do-gi or keiko-gi (many in the West just say gi). 

Do-gi are made in thinner and thicker styles.  ​Aikido has techniques that involve grabbing the do-gi at the shoulder and other areas so people at some point end up getting thick sturdy judo-style do-gi for grabbing (we will likely not do any of that kind of grabbing in your first days).

If you are new to Aikido and do not have a do-gi, we recommend loose-fitting workout clothes.

Light
​Stomach

You may consider not eating too much before class.  Aikido involves a lot of falling, and beginning lessons may involve getting down and up from the mat, which can be lot on a full stomach.

Arrive
Early

​New and visiting/guest students are encouraged to get to the dojo as early as possible to check in, change and get oriented,

It may also be a time to do personal warm ups and stretching, etc.  ​No one knows your body better than you do, thus it is wise to tend to your own individual stretching or warm-up needs before class starts as you see fit.

 

Waiver
​Form​​

We have a standard martial arts waiver form that needs to be signed before class.  We have some paper forms at the dojo but you can also fill it out here:

Online Waiver

Safety from
​Cuts

When training, please ensure that your hands and feet are clean, and that your fingernails and toenails are trimmed.

Please also remove watches, jewelry, and face piercings.

Injuries

IMPORTANT:
If you are cut or scraped during class, notify your partner and/or the instructor, bow off the mat, and get a Band-Aid, etc. from the first-aid box.

Also, if you have an injury, whether from training or from outside of the dojo, please let the instructor and your training partner know.  ​Always let your partners know when you are experiencing pain or discomfort and do not do anything you are not comfortable with.

 

Directions

​5515 Doyle Street, Unit 2, ​Emeryville, CA 94608. We are at the far end of the long 5515 building, at the corner where Doyle street meets 55th.

*Note that you cannot access the building from the walkway in the rear (called "Spur Alley").

5515 Doyle St. Building

Our building, 5515 Doyle St., is a mixed-use building housing a number of small Emeryville businesses. We're at the corner where Doyle Street meets 55th Street; there is a door there and a door bell for our unit in case it's closed.   

Bathrooms are located outside of our unit in the lobby; keys are available at the dojo.

Our Loft

While it may not be necessary for Intro guests and new students who do not yet have a do-gi, our unit ​at 5515 Doyle has a loft, where we have two changing rooms.

​There are also cubbies up there for leaving your belongings during class.

 

ai
harmony; unison; oneness; joining

ki
energy; vital life force; spirit; (Chinese chi)

do
‘the Way’; a path or practice

bokken
wooden sword

​dan
black belt rank

​'domo-arigato-gozaimashita'
"thank you very much" (very formal; in  a  more  casual context, "arigato-gozaimasu" is more appropriate)

​gi
training uniform (also dogi)

​hakama
traditional trousers derived from samurai custom; worn by black-belts in most aikido schools

​hanmi
triangular stance derived from sword work; the basic stance in aikido

​jo
wooden staff about 4'-5' in length

​kyu
white belt rank; any rank below shodan

​nage
1) the person executing the technique; also referred to as tori in some lineages and arts 2) a throw

​'onegai-shimasu'
‘May I?,’ or ‘Please, let's..’ etc. (no exact translation); said to one's partner when initiating practice

​rei
bowing; an expression of humility

​seiza
traditional Japanese seating posture wherein one sits on the heels and the bottoms of the feet

​senpai
a person senior in hierarchy, or older, to oneself; also may be spelled sempai

​shomen
1) the front or top of the head. 2) the ‘head’ of a dojo, usually marked by scrolls, items for kami offerings, flowers, and a picture of O-Sensei

​​uke
the person who attacks and then ends up on the receiving-end of the technique

1
ichi

2
ni

3
san

4
shih/yon

5
go