Beginners are welcome to come train or observe!

At Nashville Aikikai, we welcome beginners who are 15 years and older. Anyone is welcome to begin or continue their training Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. Classes begin promptly at 6:30pm and end at 8:00pm. We also have an 8:30 aikido weapons class on Saturdays that anyone can join. For beginners, your first class is free of cost. All you need is some comfortable clothes you would normally wear to work out or, if you already have one, a Dogi.

When should I arrive for my first class?

For your first visit, it’s best to allow time to arrive and get situated, get signed in, and ask questions, express concerns, injuries, previous training, or just say hi before we begin keiko. It’s best to be on the mat getting warm 15 minutes before class, but we also know life and Nashville traffic can make this challenging some days.

What if I am late?

If you find it unavoidable that you will be late, we’d rather have you late than not at all! Just enter quietly and get dressed, then wait at the back corner of the mat for Sensei to invite you into training.

Can I wear my gi from previous martial arts training?

If the gi you have is white and generally free from patches or insignia (small brand names like addidas, Fuji, etc. are okay), you can wear it to train. We have dressing rooms in the back, so you should bring your gi with you and change at the dojo (rather than wearing the gi in).

Is there any etiquette that I need to be aware of before attending my first class?

When you enter the dojo, you will remove your shoes and tuck them away under the bench or in a cubby. We bow to the kamiza when we enter and leave the dojo, before we get on and off the mat, and to our partners before training. The bowing is not religious in anyway. It is simply how we stay mindful and grounded in respect and gratitude for the art and the opportunity to train. Please do not worry too much about understanding etiquette rules before coming to train. Everyone in the dojo is learning, regardless of experience and rank, and it can be a lot for a beginner. There is a lot to take in and we are all hear to help each other and someone will kindly remind you.

If I have an injury, am I allowed to train?

Always make decisions to train with an injury with the full consultation of your doctor. If your physician approves, then modifications and accommodations can usually be made. This, of course, depends on the injury itself. Inform Sensei of the nature of your injury and any limitations you were made aware of during your consulation with your doctor. Many of our long term members are managing ongoing injury and healing. For example, you may see red tape on someone’s gi, they are using that to mark an area where partners should proceed with caution during class. The point of aikido training is to never harm or injure your training partners, so we take safety very seriously as a key component of self-defense.