What does our Aikido look like?

We're here to have fun and hang out with some pretty incredible people doing something we love.  We are regular people like you.

We teach a very soft version of the Japanese self defense art of Aikido. It involves learning how to allow an attacker to throw themselves so you have a chance to escape the situation. We work slowly and safely in a welcoming environment.

There are no competitions or tournaments. Ever.

One of the most practical things we teach is how to fall without getting hurt. This has helped many of our members not just when in class, but in real life slip and trip situations.

Best of all, we help people learn how to trust and be trusted while working with each other, building confidence and camaraderie in the dojo . We love watching our students blossom and become their true selves in such a warm and loving second home.

Here is a sampling of the kinds of things you will learn at Shinju Dojo. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a few videos. We look forward to seeing  you at the next class!

Our favorite instructional videos can be found at Windsong Dojo:

Ukemi
Falling Practice

Learning how to fall safely is an extremely important life skill and a heck of a lot of fun!

You start on the mat, flat on your back, with instructions on posture and safety.

From there, we move to falling from different positions:  sitting, squatting, then standing. We teach back falls, side falls, and front rolling falls.

You won't do anything until you're ready to do it safely and with confidence.

Hanasu no Kata
The Releases

In this group of kata, we learn to respond and float when an attacker grabs the wrist.

This group of techniques appears to be simple but actually involves some very sophisticated concepts such as evasion and balance breaking.

This is the first set of moves you will learn.

Ju Nana Hon Kata
The Seventeen Basic Techniques

This set of techniques helps you integrate many facets of Aikido so you can accomplish various principles smoothly and safely.

The kata has four sections:
  • Atemi waza (1 - 5)
  • Hiji waza (6 - 10)
  • Tekubi waza (11 - 14)
  • Uki waza (15 - 17)

By the time you learn this set of techniques you will be close to earning your black belt!
Picture
A laugh between two masters of very different styles at the Windsong June seminar in 2015. We're all friends here!
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