FAQ

What is aikido?
How is aikido different from other martial arts?
What cultural tradition does aikido come from?
What weapons are used in aikido?
How safe is aikido?
How old does my child have to be before I can enroll them in aikido?
Where can I get uniforms and equipment?
How do belt colors/student rank work in aikido?
How does testing work in aikido?
Can I watch the aikido classes?
Do you ever have any special events?
Is Aikido of Northwest Kansas affiliated with any other dojos or organizations?

What is aikido?

Aikido is a physical art, a philosophy and a budo (or martial way).

How is aikido different from other martial arts?

Traditional Aikido is non-competitive and promotions do not come through besting an opponent, but through demonstrating understanding of basic exercises and techniques, which become more demanding or difficult as rank increases. In Aikido we strive to work in cooperation with a partner, still employing effective technique against an energetic and realistic attack, yet doing so by blending with the attack and redirecting its energy back to the attacker.

What cultural tradition does aikido come from?

Aikido is predominantly built from the Japanese martial art Daito ryu and from internal and philosophical understandings of Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba.

What weapons are used in aikido?

We use the wooden staves, called jo staves, wooden swords, called bokken, and wooden knives, called tanto.

How safe is aikido?

In aikido we strive to protect our uke, or opponent. Nevertheless, there is always a small possibility of injury.

How old does my child have to be before I can enroll them in aikido?

Children five years of age and older may participate in youth classes with instructor permission.

Where can I get uniforms and equipment?

Aikido of Northwest Kansas sells gis, belts, and other equipment in a range of sizes.

How do belt colors/student rank work in aikido?

Students advance from 8th kyu (white belt) to 1st kyu (brown belt with stripe) by practicing aikido and can continue to advance in rank through teaching aikido thereafter. There are additional ranks for children.

How does testing work in aikido?

Students are invited to test when the sensei, or instructor, feels that they are ready.

Can I watch the aikido classes?

You are welcome to watch at no cost, but please be respectful of students’ need to hear the instructor and do not talk.

Do you ever have any special events?

We hold week-long aikido camps in summer and winter as well as some special weekend workshops.

Is Aikido of Northwest Kansas affiliated with any other dojos or organizations?

Aikido of Northwest Kansas has a satellite dojo in Wichita and is a member of the Aikido Association of America.