Aikido uses structured martial encounters to pursue self-improvement and development. Through rigorous, collaborative practice, we begin to break through our limitations and build resilience, confidence, and focus.

The best way to answer that question is to come watch a class or take a trial lesson.

Aikido focuses on joint locks and throws, so you will spend a lot of time falling down and getting back up again. We can teach you safer falling techniques to avoid injury.

We also work with weapons (wooden sword and staff/spear) as a way to extend and focus our training.
If you’d like to watch a class or try out aikido, email us at northwestaiki@gmail.com

Probably not. If you truly want to learn to fight, the best way to learn is to get into a lot of real fights. Failing that, pursue a martial art that does a lot of full-contact sparring with a minimal ruleset (e.g. traditional Thai boxing).

Aikido provides a way to develop ourselves through structured confrontation and martial conflict. The precursor to defending yourself is having the awareness to identify threats, the confidence to stand up for one’s self, and the physical (and emotional) resilience to handle what comes next. These can be developed through Aikido.

Aikido, when focused on vigorous collaborative training (as we do at this dojo), does yield some level of martial competence. Japan’s Self Defense Forces as well as the Tokyo Riot Police incorporate Aikido into their curricula.

You can train as frequently as you like, but in order to make measurable progress, it’s best to be on the mat at least two or three days a week. This is the same with any new skill…it is difficult to learn a new language or instrument if one only engages with it once per week.

Both are ascetic practices with roots in religion. Zen is the ascetic component of Buddhism, and Misogi is the ascetic component of Shintoism. These practices are both useful in cultivating centeredness (subject for another day) and in breaking through perceived barriers.

However, this training is completely optional, and is not offered dogmatically as a substitute or replacement for participants’ personal religious beliefs. We welcome people of all faiths (or no faith).

Our dojo is registered with Aikikai World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. We are not formally affiliated with any U.S. based Aikido organization, but we maintain good relationships with many Aikido dojos.

Here’s a short list:

USA — MIDWEST

Huron Valley Aikikai (Michigan)

Logan Square Aikido (Illinois)

Aikido of Madison (Wisconsin)

Greater Detroit Budojuku (Michigan)

Oak Park Aikikai (Illinois)

USA — EAST

Brooklyn Aikikai (New York)

Bucks County Aikido (Pennsylvania)

Lemon Hill Aikido (Pennsylvania)

Jersey City Aikikai (New Jersey)

USA — WEST

Aikido Daiwa (California)

San Diego Aikikai (California)

Aikido Institute of SF (California)

Aikido West (California)

JAPAN

Aikikai World HQ (Hombu Dojo, Tokyo)

Nara Aikikai (Nara)

Gesso-ji Dojo (Tokyo)

Dues at Northwest Aikido are $119/month.

We offer a 15% discount for first responders, teachers (through high school), and veterans. Promotions are not stackable. Other seasonal discounts may be available.

Members gain access to all Aikido (4x/week), Weapons (1x/week), and Zazen (2x/week) classes. Misogi requires instructor permission.