Six Week Aikido Intro Fall 2024

    • 6 Mondays, 7 to 8:30pm
    • September 30 to November 11
    • No class on Easter Monday, October 14th
    • $95 Fee16 years of age and older
    • Limited to 16 students
    • Fifth and second degree black belt teachers
Students training
A student stands in hanmi
Bring a friend to aikido
Students train in class
Arran Sensei
Arran Sensei, 5th Dan
Atsuko Sensei
Atsuko Sensei, 2nd Dan

Come and try the amazing martial art of Aikido! In these nine hours of introduction, you will learn how to move your body in a way that emphasises self-defence by blending with an attacker’s motion, resolving aggression in a way that creates harmony. Aikido, the “Art of Peace,” is non-competitive and welcomes all who are interested.

Aikido has roots in the ancient Daito Ryu Jujutsu methods of the samurai, but the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, provided a mindset and method for dealing with everyday conflicts. In this course, you will learn the fundamental principles and techniques in this fascinating defensive system of throws, joint locks and pressure-point manipulations. As well, the course will introduce you to the concept of ukemi, the skill of receiving the technique and blending with the motion, including ways of falling and rolling to avoid injury.

Our Beginners’ Course takes place on the mat with the regular class and is overseen by a 5th degree black belt with over a twenty years’ teaching experience.

Calgary Aikikai is the longest-running Aikido club in Calgary, established in 1980, by the late Y. Inaba Shihan (6th degree black belt).

Register today

In this course you will learn:

  • dojo etiquette, greetings and bows
  • essential body movement (tai sabaki) and footwork
  • various aikido techniques, including joint locks, immobilizations and throws
  • ukemi: the art of falling and receiving the technique
  • weapons training using the staff (jo), wooden sword (bokken), and wooden knife (tanto)
  • defence against various strikes and grips, including against multiple attackers
Aikido Glossary for Beginners Some useful terms, as used at Calgary Aikikai (* denotes important-to-know)
*When bowing to a person at start: Onegaishimasu (on a GUY sheh MAS) “Thank you for teaching me.”
*When bowing to a person at end: Domo Arigato Gozaimashita (DOmo ari GA toe go ZAI mas) “Thank you very much.”
When arriving at the dojo in the morning: Ohayogozaimasu “Good morning”
When arriving at the the dojo in the daytime: Konichiwa “Good day”
When arriving at the dojo in the evening: Kumbanwa “Good evening”
When leaving in the daytime: Sayonara “Good-bye”
When leaving after dark: Oyasuminasai “Good night”
Ki Universal energy/ life force/ spirit/ intention
Aiki The concept of being in harmony with Ki
*Aikido The Way of Aiki
Aikikai Aikido organization
*O Sensei Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba
*Sensei Teacher
*Dojo School
Hombu Home dojo of the Aikikai Foundation, located in Tokyo, Japan
Kamiza Head place at the dojo (with photo of founder)
Awase Blending movement
Ma-ai Harmonious distance between partners
Tai Sabaki Footwork and body movement, literally: “Body management”
Ukemi Receiving the technique, falling
Zanshin Remaining spirit, focus at the finish of a technique
*Nage The person applying the technique, the “defender”
*Uke The person receiving the technique, the “attacker”