Aikido Program Guide
Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial way (DO) or path of personal integration, developing
harmonious, compassionate resolution
(AI) through focused energy and
spirit (KI).
Aikido
is rooted in traditional sword, staff and control arts that offer highly
effective techniques that redirect and neutralize emotional, verbal, and
physical aggression. Aikido’s cooperative practice offers a dynamic structure
to study violence and conflict and its safe resolution in ourselves, others,
and in our society. The practice of
Aikido deepens the quality and awareness of our relationships, as we learn how
to turn opponents into partners.
Teen Aikido Program
Teens in Aikido classes work
to develop defensive skills, situational awareness, respectful engagement, personal
focus and integration. Training includes
traditional Aikido body and weapon arts with an emphasis on personal
responsibility.
Adult Aikido Program
Our adult program provides
training in traditional Japanese martial arts as a “DO”, a path of personal
integration. Classes focus on the quality of cooperative contact between
partners, developing effective skills in redirecting and neutralizing conflict
and aggression. Classes include weapon
arts and exposure to other martial arts.
Children’s Aikido Program
Our highly regarded classes for children have been
developed over the last three decades to develop the lifetime assets,
situational awareness and social intelligence that are the end goals of
traditional martial arts.
In working with thousands of children, we have distilled
traditional martial practices into verbal, physical, and cognitive problem
solving games and cooperative group exercises.
These games are used as metaphors to create accessible skill building experiences
for children.
Classes focus on making appropriate choices and taking
personal responsibility. Children
practice asserting and respecting personal boundaries, self care, empathy,
critical thinking and non-violent conflict management. Classes develop skills
to effectively deal with conflict, bullying and harassment.
Creative intentional play has long been recognized as an
effective learning vehicle for children.
Our fast, fun and physically active classes allow them to safely explore
and develop critical developmental assets. The format of a martial art class
allows for “body based learning” and opportunities for non-punitive trial and
error learning.
Our instructors have a depth of experience with diverse
populations, and work professionally with high need/high risk children, including
those with attention, abuse and learning issues.
Program Guidelines
Our programs are open to all, including those with
special physical, learning, social or financial needs.
Students will be exposed to a diverse curriculum of
ideas, cultures and people. Mutual
respect (REI) is emphasized.
Abusive behavior involving gender, age, race, ability or
culture will not be allowed.
Families of students are welcome to observe classes.
We cannot be responsible for children who have left the
dojo building.
Program Expectations
We ask that children be picked up promptly at the end of
class, and siblings and friends not be left unattended.
When appropriate and pre-arranged with us, we allow
visiting family/friends with signed parental consent to join in a class at no
extra charge.
Please check before you leave for clothes, backpacks,
jewelry, etc. We cannot be responsible
for belongings left behind. Items left
for more than two weeks may be donated to charity.
We ask that you do not eat snacks in the dojo building.
We ask that the toys and books in the waiting area be
both used and put away appropriately.
Enrolling
We encourage students to try out a free introductory
class before enrolling in the program.
We must have a completed, signed agreement form before
students try out a class. This form does not obligate the student to continue
or to pay.
After the trial class, if we and the student and parent
agree that the class would be appropriate, payment for classes completes
enrollment.
Fees and
Schedules
Program fees are non-refundable.
Program fees are prepaid
monthly before the first of the month.
Class schedules vary - we close for federal holidays and
seasonal breaks. Monthly dues remain the
same.
Fees reserve space in a class for a month, and are not
based on the number of classes attended.
We do not require contracts or long term financial
commitments from students.
There are no registration, association, membership or
testing fees.
Attendance
While we encourage all students to attend all available
classes, we understand they are not always able to do so. We ask that students/parents call us when unable to attend 541.663.6756
We realize that there are a limited variety of art,
dance, music or sport programs available to young children in our rural area.
We encourage broad exposure to other activities and disciplines. If appropriate, at your request we will hold
a space for a child taking time off to be involved in another program who plans
on returning.
Students gone a month without contact, payment, or
attendance will be considered withdrawn, and their space filled from our
waiting list.
Scholarships
We have a limited number of scholarships for sincere
students who are able to regularly attend classes.
These scholarships are funded by students and
families who donate a small amount in addition to their regular fees to help
create access for others.
Please discuss your situation with us.
Uniforms
The practice uniform, called a “Gi” (pronounced gee), is
the appropriate, functional clothing for our active classes. Gi are required for
ongoing students, and need to be worn at every class. They are not a quaint costume for playing
Samurai, and should not be worn outside class.
Gis need to be of appropriate size, hemmed, kept clean and mended.
Gis may be purchased from us, or from another
source.
We encourage students to return outgrown Gis in good
condition to our “replay” bin. These are available to all students at no cost.
We respect our students comfort and modesty. PLAIN black
or white t-shirts, halters, sports tops, athletic shorts may be worn under the
Gi. We ask that students NOT wear street
clothing under the Gi – it restricts movement and students tend to get
overheated.
Beginning students may wear “play clothes” (sweats,
t-shirts, loose jeans) for the first month. Shorts, dresses, buttons, jewelry,
head bands, tight pants, hoods, heavy tops, socks or footwear are not
appropriate or safe.
Rank Testing
We offer optional testing for rank to students in the
adult, teen, and 9-13 year old class. We do not test younger students for the
same reasons we don’t emphasize traditional martial techniques with them – it is not developmentally useful or appropriate,
physically, emotionally, or socially.
Testing
is not required, nor is there any charge.
For ages 9 - 13, we offer four “Kyu” exams. The first three (9th, 8th , 7th)
Kyu exams allow the students to develop the basic movements, techniques and
concepts in Aikido. Our 6th
Kyu exam requires that students have integrated considerable awareness and
skills, accepted personal responsibility for their conduct and choices, and
function effectively as “Sempai” (respected big brother/sister) supporting and
assisting newer or younger students.
For teens/adults, our ranking system is based on standards established by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters). Our instructors have teaching certifications and authority to issue rank in multiple martial arts. Ranking is their statement that the student has exceeded the basic level of technical skills, personal integration and martial awareness commonly accepted by the Aikido community for that rank. Our Dojo is independent, which is why there are no additional association, membership or testing fees.
We focus on the exploration of becoming a highly functioning human being as the real value and point of training, not on achievement of rank.
Lending Library
Our programs stress reading, language arts, problem
solving and critical thinking. Students
and families are encouraged to make use of our Dojo lending library. Materials
on a wide variety of martial arts, creative arts, culture, philosophy, history,
gardening, social justice and issues of global concern are available.
Our “Take Musu” collection for children focuses on
non-violent creative resolutions, pro-social skills, healthy and respectful
relationships with friends and family, and a wide exposure to different times,
places and ways of living.
Library
materials may be checked out for 1 week.
Please use the “Library Check-out” binder to check
materials out. We ask that students take
good care of the materials and return them promptly. Students are responsible for replacement of
lost or damaged materials.
Parking
Limited off street parking is available, including
designated handicap parking. There is also a drive through loop for picking up
children close to the street. Please use
caution pulling in or out of the parking area.
Orchard
Avella Orchard is a working orchard, with seasonal tours
available to dojo families and the public.
At all other times it is closed
to entry.
