Regular martial arts classes are held in the Belgard Community Centre (opposite the Luas Belgard stop).  We recommend that you arrive for your first class at least 15 minutes early so you can meet the class Instructor(s) and fill out a membership form.   

What to Wear

If you already have a Judo or Karate suit then bring it with you. If you don't, you can wear any loose-fitting clothing such as tracksuit bottoms and sweatshirt. Long hair should be tied back and all jewellery removed before stepping onto the mat.  As you will be training barefoot we recommend that you bring flip-flops or slippers to wear from the changing area to minimise dust and unpleasant bacteria being brought onto the mats.

OK, so you've found the dojo (training hall), what next? 

The first thing is to come in and introduce yourself to the class instructor. If in doubt just say hello to someone in the hall and they will point you in the right direction. You will find us to be friendly and welcoming to newcomers. You can bring your shoes, bag and coat into the main hall.  

Getting started... formal etiquette

Once the class start is signalled by the instructor, we line up in rows facing the "shomen" (designated front wall of the dojo) in grade order with lowest ranks nearest to the hall entrance door.  Instructor(s) will line up facing you, again in rank order.

A class instructor (sensei) or a senior student (senpai) will shout out a few Japanese instructions beginning with "seiza", meaning all students should adopt the traditional Japanese sitting position (kneeling). Shortly after, he/she will call "mokuso" (meditate) to indicate that all students should close their eyes and try to calm their mind, the purpose of which is to allow each student time to eliminate outside world concerns before starting. "Mokuso yame" (Stop meditation) is the signal to open one's eyes again. "Shomen" or "Shomen-ni-rei" signals for all to face forward toward the front of the dojo where a picture of the founder(s) is often displayed. "Rei"  signals for all present to show respect to the legacy of the founder(s) by bowing.  (Bowing is a Japanese cultural practice to demonstrate respect to elders, teachers, and fellow students.)  "Sensei-ni-rei", means bow to the teacher and finally "otagai-ni-rei"  bow to fellow students, completes the formal starting ritual. 

If you get lost at any point, just follow someone next to you. Don't worry!  we all found the traditional Japanese dojo etiquette strange at the start. The instructor will explain clearly and in more detail what to do if there are any new students present.

 A few additional Japanese words you will hear during each class are:" 

• 'Kiritsu" - stand up, (typically raising your right leg first)
• "Seiretsu"' or 'Shugo' - line up,  
• "Yame" - Stop,
• "Matte" - Pause/Wait/Stop,
• "Hajime" -Begin,
• "Hai!" - yes,  
• "Kotai" - Swap over roles and/or switch places
• "Ukemi" - breakfalling, recieving technique
• "Uke" - the person who recieves a technique and does a breakfall when necessary,
• "Tori" - the person applying a technique.
  
• "onegai shimasu:" (oh-na-guy-shim-mass) お願いします please (teach me), thank you for training with me

Warming up

We start by doing some light exercises and stretches to wake up the body, nothing too strenuous. We then spend a couple of minutes just moving each joint so that they are nice and loose and ready for practice. Follow the instructor or someone next to you if you are unsure of any exercise. 

Next up, we normally loosen up the wrists with several specific stretching exercises. Because Aikido techniques often involve wrist, arm and shoulder locks, we stretch these joints out beforehand so that when the techniques are applied, we are better prepared to receive them. Don't worry, some of these exercises do involve some weird grasps and manipulation of your hands and arms, someone will come and show you exactly what to do.

To complete the warm-up we do some basic solo drills. Don't worry if you don't follow everything, someone will guide you and explain what to do. 

Breakfalls (Ukemi)

In Aikido training, we spend a lot of time receiving technique, falling to the mat and getting back up. We have specific ways of receiving technique and falling to avoid injury and which allows us to practice with each other again and again. You will be shown the basics so you can start to train safely. During practice, your assigned partner will be aware of your abilities and will take great care not to be forceful or injure you in any way. 

Techniques (Waza)

Once you are loose and warm, we get onto the meat of the session. The sensei (instructor) will demonstrate a principle, a drill or technique  - typically using one of the more experienced students.

We then break up into pairs, and you spend the next couple of minutes trying to work out which way up your hands are supposed to be before you start, and you realise that the technique has more to it than might first have appeared. After another minute or so, the sensei may come over and show you again how to improve your technique - and you just start to get the idea when they call everyone back to look at the next technique.

After a few more techniques, all seemingly easy but with hidden complexities that mean you end up facing the other way - or holding the wrong arm - you find a technique which you can do! When you grab here, step just there, move the arm like so, and apply pressure like that - and this is the point at which you realise that Aikido is a sophisticated art that can be very effective. 

Afterwards 

All too quickly, we all line up again and looking at the clock, you realise two hours have slipped by - it doesn't seem like it!. The end of class is signalled and after a couple of bows, class is finished. Before we get changed we put the mats back in the storeroom (everybody is expected to give a hand regardless of rank). When all is done, you start putting your shoes and socks back on, feeling warm and slightly tired - but feeling like you've really experienced something different and intriguing.  Hopefully, you would have had some fun and will want to come back for more! 

How much does membership cost?

Classes are two hours in length, held twice per week, so your monthly fee represents good value (approx €6 per hour). A subsidised rate of €60 per month is available for full-time academic students or those unemployed.  On average, one month's attendance equates to 16 hours of training. In some months, additional sessions may be organised for those preparing for senior grading or competition at no extra cost. There is no annual contract or long term financial commitment imposed.  

You can pay for your first month with cash when you sign up. After that classes are paid by monthly subscription via credit/debit card. 

Martial Arts Training uniform

You do not have to buy a training uniform (do-gi) until your first month is over, however, you will find that the sooner you get one, the quicker you will feel part of the club and the more comfortable your training will be. We recommend you purchase a judo suit rather than a karate suit as the jacket and trousers of a judo suit are stronger and able to better withstand grabbing, pulling and contact with the mat.

Monthly Subs Payment 

It's important to take into account that Dublin Tomiki Aikido is run exclusively by volunteers during their personal time on a not-for-profit basis. Your subs go towards the expense of running the club; i.e. hall rental, Instructor Insurance, IMAC compliance and equipment maintenance (mats, weapons). Your first month trial period can be paid in cash, however, thereafter monthly subs must be paid by credit/debit card via SUBSNINJA.COM (our Club Managment software platform).

Before your first month has come to an end you will receive an email from us via SUBSNINJA.COM inviting you to enter card details for monthly billing. Once sucessfully onboard, payment will be taken automatically on a designated date every month until you cancel your membership.

We really appreciate your consideration in this matter as it helps greatly to reduce admin overhead and keep the club running smoothly.

Insurance / Membership of the BAA (British Aikido Association)

For the first month, you'll be covered by the club's general insurance. To continue to train after the first month you must become a member of the British Aikido Association (BAA), the association to which our club is formally affiliated. Adult membership of the BAA is £35 per annum and this should be paid directly to the BAA. Membership of the BAA entitles our members to access BAA seminars, official BAA/JAA grading examination events, BAA/WSAF competitions as well as insurance coverage for our members. 

Full details for joining the BAA are here (britishaikidoassociation.co.uk/about-memberships/)