- When and where is training?
- Do I just turn up at the venue at the time indicated?
- How do I get to the town club dojo?
- How much does it cost?
- Do I have to become a member?
- Why are there restrictions?
- Am I too young / too old / too unfit to train?
- What qualifications do your instructors have?
- Do I have to come to every session?
- What do I have to wear?
- Do I have to have experience of Martial Arts or of Aikido?
- Will I have to / get to fight anyone?
- Will I have to / get to use weapons?
- I'm not sure, can I come along just to watch?
Frequenly Asked Questions
Hopefully, any questions you might have will be raised here but please don't hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions.
| Town Club | Mondays 19.30-21.30 | St. Stephen's Church, Powis place | Everyone is welcome to attend |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU Club | Wednesdays 20.30-22.30 | Aberdeen Sports Village | AU staff / students only (term time) |
| RGU Club | Tuesdays 20.00 - 21.30 |
Studio 1 RGU sports facility | RGU staff / student primarily (term time) |
| Town Club | Thursdays 19.30-21.30 | St. Stephen's Church, Powis place | Everyone is welcome to attend |
| AU Club | Saturdays 11.00-13.30 | Aberdeen Sports Village | AU staff / students only (term time) |
Feel free to do so but we encourage people to come a little earlier to help set-up the mats for training.
Similarly, you should allow for a little time after class to help tidy up and maybe have a cup of tea!
The dojo of the town club is in St. Stephen's Church hall
on Powis place. You can easily get there by bus (area is serviced by bus numbers 19, 17, 21) or by walking: North from Mounthooly, South from the top of George Street (Split The Winds) or West through Froghall.
The entrance to the dojo is down the lane on the north side of the church; ring the bell if you're late because the door will be shut. Free parking (after 6pm) right outside!
Town Club: 2 hour training sessions are 5GBP, or 3.50GBP for students/unemployed.
AU Club: All training sessions are 2.50GBP for staff / students.
RGU Club: All training sessions are 2.50GBP for staff / students.
Yes, for insurance purposes after you have decided that you'd like to continue aikido you need to become a member of our association which is affiliated with Aikido Yuishinkai and a member of The British Aikido Board, membership currently costs 30GBP per year; ask the instructor for a form.
These are not our doing but are due to university regulations. Only the respective staff, students and alumni of AU / RGU may train at the AU / RGU university clubs during their respective term times, this is why the town club was founded; so that everyone may practice Aikido Yuishinkai throughout the year.
Whilst we'd like to say "No" again, for insurace and safety reasons we cannot accept children (under 18) as students.
And too old or unfit, if you are able bodied enough to withstand the rigours of everyday life then you can train in aikido.
You decide the pace you want to train at.
All instructors have "Coaching Level 1" certification from The British Aikido Board.
No, practice is always done at your own individual level, the more you attend, the quicker you'll progress. However you shouldn't feel like you need to progress at the same rate as everyone else; your development is what's important, not other peoples. You will always be taught at your own individual level and encouraged to learn in whatever way is most appropriate for you, the student.
Loose fitting clothing and no jewellery, Aikido is practiced in bare feet. Later on (usually because you'll be tired of getting your t-shirts stretched into odd shapes) Aikido training is done in a uniform called a keikogi or 'gi' for short. The club has discounts with the main martial arts suppliers in the UK so please ask your instructor to order any aikido apparel.
No, beginners are always welcome at any time of year.
No, aikido is not a fighting art.
Eventually, yes. Common practice weapons in aikido include: the jo (staff), bokuto (wooden sword) and bokutanto (wooden knife).
Of course you can! However, please be aware that the instructor might not be able to talk with you for long as they will be teaching a class. Also, Aikido is an art that is appreciated by feel and not by appearances; so you'll get a lot more out of it by stepping on the mat to try it out.
If you have any questions not addressed here, please get in touch. We'd love to have you come join in.