Welcome to Traditional Aikido in Salt Lake City!
At Salt Lake Aikikai, we practice traditional Aikido. Our emphasis is on fun, while assimilating sound martial principles. We are directly affiliated with the Aikikai “Hombu Dojo” in Tokyo, headquarters of the original Aikido organization. Everyone is welcome: beginners and visitors alike. Our training is safe for all ages (14 and up) and all levels of athletic ability.
New to Aikido? Here’s what to expect:
- Classes start at 7:00 p.m. sharp (9:00 a.m. on Saturday), but we typically arrive as early as 6:40 p.m. to set up (8:50 a.m. on Saturdays).
- Practices begin with a 20 min. warm-up focused on specific Aikido needs. For example, we train in ukemi (falls).
- You do not need a ‘gi’ (white uniform) to start but we recommend you get one as soon as you know Aikido is something you want to pursue. The black pants (hakama) are not required in our dojo until you reach the rank of 2nd kyu. (See the FAQ for more on rank advancement.)
- All skill levels train together and beginners are as important to train with as more experienced practitioners. Everyone — whatever her/his experience — adjusts to work with the partner. This is part of the training of harmony (the “ai” of Aikido).
- We train both empty-handed and with weapons (jo staff, sword, and knife — all of wood). Each class, we will practice many different Aikido techniques — with safety as the top priority (each person is responsible for respecting his or her own limits). We also learn balance and how to focus our energy or “ki” (each one tries her/his best).
- We do observe dojo etiquette (based on traditions that originated in Japan) as a way to show respect for the dojo.
- In the end, paying attention, listening, and observing are the best ways to grow in Aikido. It is a solid and slow growth process (“do
Practice Times
Monday, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, on hold and/or by request
Location
Salt Lake City Sports Complex
645 South Guardsman Way (1580 East)
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Map / Driving and UTA directions
Fees
Monthly rate One-time drop-in fee Six-month discounted rate Family monthly rate | $35 $8 $189 (10% discount) $35 + $5 for each add. family member |
Please refer to the FAQ for additional information regarding fees.
No contract required. There is no charge to observe practice.
During my time training at Salt Lake Aikikai, I have observed instructors scale instruction to the audience on a given evening. Some nights, when we have inexperienced visitors, this means that we very carefully move through beginning material. On nights with just the more experienced students, the training time ramps up to more difficult techniques. Of course, classes range widely between these two points. I am amazed at how Sano sensei and the other instructors make this dynamic teaching look effortless.
I looked into a number of other dojo options prior to joining Salt Lake Aikikai and trained briefly elsewhere some years ago. None of the other options provided as well-rounded a grounding in the foundation of the Way as disseminated by Hombu Dojo, the home headquarters of Aikido worldwide. I appreciate that instruction is focused on the core of Aikido, rather than adding superfluous and unnecessary roadblocks to instruction found in other subsidiary Aikido organizations. There isn’t another first-class alternative for traditional aikido in the area.