8:00 - 9:20
Regular Class
(including beginners)

9:30 to 10:00
Special Practice*

8:00 - 9:20
Regular Class
(including beginners)

9:30 to 10:00
Special Practice*

We welcome visiting Aikidoists from other dojos at all scheduled practices. Our drop-in fee is $5.00. Please phone in advance.

Note to New People:

After completing 12 beginner classes, students will be eligible to join the regular Nanaimo Aikikai Club. There is an annual fee to cover membership to the B.C. Aikido Federation and the Canadian Aikido Federation. Dues, to support the dojo, are then paid on a monthly basis.

What Do I Wear?

The dogi, or gi, is the uniform that students wear during practice. A Karate-gi or more durable Judo-gi is preferred, and should be white or natural (unbleached). You will eventually need a bokken (wooden sword), and a Jo (wooden staff), but these do not need to be purchased immediately.

Ranking:

Our Aikikai club follows the traditional Aikido kyu and dan system of ranking in which only white and black belts are worn. The Aikido student begins at gokkyu (5th-kyu), and moves on in stages, eventually reaching ikkyu (lst-kyu). After passing a black belt test, a student is awarded the rank of shodan (first degree black belt) and becomes eligible for examination for advanced dan ranks.

Because Aikido is a classical martial art, tournaments (shiai) are non-existent. Instead, well-executed performance of the arts (techniques), the seriousness and diligence of the student during practice as well as the student's understanding of Aikido principles play a part in their overall advancement.

• New students purchase a beginner package of 12 classes for $60.
• They then attend beginner’s classes which are from 7:45-8:45 Tuesday and Thursdays.
• Only the classes which are attended are counted.

Paid at time of Registration

• Upon completion of the beginner’s classes, students may take out membership in the Nanaimo Aikikai by paying a $40. annual membership fee. This also gives you membership in the B.C. Aikido Federation and in the Canadian Aikido Federation.
• For existing club members these dues are collected every year in September.
• All those who wish to practice, must pay their annual membership fee as well as mat fees according to one of the following categories:

• Regular members may attend all classes including, with Sensei’s permission, the beginner’s classes.
• Regular members are eligible for grading and may also attend seminars and summer camps as affiliated members of BCAF and CAF.
• Fees for regular members are as follows:

To make Aikido more affordable, the club makes allowances for families by charging:

• the oldest member full fees,
• then charging the next family member with 1/2 the usual fee,
• and the third family member with 1/3 the usual fee.

The first day of practice of each month

• Those who cannot practice regularly may pay as a part-time practitioner, at the rate of $5. per class.
• At the beginning of the month the student pays $25. to establish a “bank” of 5 classes. The following month a new bank of 5 classes is established by carrying forward any unused classes and paying the difference.
• This arrangement is only available to those who have paid their club membership.

Members in good standing of other Aikido dojos may drop in and pay a $5. class fee.

Paid at the beginning of the class