Your First Class

So you've decided to step onto the martial path. Congratulations! You've taken the first step to a higher quality of life. We promote a friendly, family atmosphere in our club, and we are confident that you will feel welcome and at home during your very first lesson.

The following guidelines should be noted before attending your first class.

What to wear

You do not have to have a uniform to take part in class as a beginner. You should however wear loose fitting clothing in order to be comfortable with any technique that involves stretching the body. Bring pants (no shorts allowed!) and be prepared to remove watches, earrings, etc. for your safety and for that of your training partner.

You are free to choose whether you wish to go bare-foot or wear socks. There is no footwear allowed in the building past the initial entranceway, however, so please leave your shoes and sandals at the door.

What to bring

Just bring yourself, and an open mind. Bring a willingness to learn new methods and new ways of thinking that will help you grow past the challenges you face in life.

What to expect

Let's face it: Aiki jiujitsu can and will be overwhelming at first. You may be surprised with your first class if your expectation of a martial art is standing lined up in rows, punching the air for hours at a time. During your very first class you will take part in hands-on self-defence techniques with the rest of the class. However, you will be matched up with a senior student who has worked with beginners several times in the past, and who is experienced at tailoring the training to a level you will be able to understand.

You may be a little nervous. That's normal! Just remember that every one of us had our first lesson at some point in the past as well. We never forget how overwhelming it is to be a beginner, and we always help you through your first ranks.

Your first lesson, for example, will be how to tap. The most basic rule of training in a martial art that uses joint locks is to tap a part of your body (your thigh, for example) when your partner is doing the technique well enough to cause you to feel pain. When you tap, your partner lets off the pressure immediately. It is not considered a weakness to tap out; it is fundamental to safe, injury-free training!

Your second lesson will be the following: you never have to do anything that you do not feel comfortable doing. In fact, you can simply watch class from the sidelines for a while if you prefer. You never have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Self-defence is not an easy objective to attain; no realistic training system would portray it so. As such, you should expect the techniques to be challenging at first. In fact, for a while, you may leave class feeling more confused than you were when you arrived. This is quite normal! We've all been there. You just need to persevere--it does get easier with practice, practice, and more practice!

What's the cost?

You are welcome to try a week of classes at no charge in order to gauge your interest level before deciding to register. If you decide to stay (and almost everybody does!), you are not required to sign a contract in order to train with us, nor are you required to pay a full year's dues in advance if it is not possible for you to do so. Further, there are no per-class mat fees. Once you are registered, for as long as you are a member in good standing you are free to take as many or as few classes as you choose!