- When and where is training?
- Do I just turn up at the venue at the time indicated?
- How do I get to the university club dojo?
- How much does it cost?
- Do I have to become a member?
- I'm not a student, staff or alumnus, can I train?
- Am I too young / too old / too unfit to train?
- What qualifications do your instructors have?
- Do I have to come to every session?
- What do I have to wear?
- Do I have to have experience of Martial Arts or of Aikido?
- Will I have to / get to fight anyone?
- Will I have to / get to use weapons?
- I'm not sure, can I come along just to watch?
Frequenly Asked Questions
Hopefully, any questions you might have will be raised here but please don't hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions.
Training at the Aberdeen University Aikido Club takes place during term time only and sessions are on Wednesdays (20.30-22.30) and Saturdays (11.00-13.30)
Come a little earlier than the training start time (15 minutes before hand) to help set-up the mats for training and to get changed.
The dojo of the Aberdeen University Aikido club is located in the studio (downstairs) in Aberdeen Sports Village on Linksfield Road.
AU Club: All training sessions are 2.00GBP for staff / students.
Yes, after you have decided that you'd like to continue aikido you need to become a member of our association which is affiliated with Aikido Yuishinkai and a member of The British Aikido Board, membership currently costs 25GBP per year for students on a pro-rata basis; ask the instructor for a form.
Not at the University club no, but you can feel free to come and join us at the Town Club
Whilst we'd like to say "No" again, for insurace and safety reasons we cannot accept children (under 18) as students.
And too old or unfit, if you are able bodied enough to withstand the rigours of everyday life then you can train in aikido.
You decide the pace you want to train at.
All instructors have "Coaching Level 1" certification from The British Aikido Board.
No, practice is always done at your own individual level, the more you attend, the quicker you'll progress. However you shouldn't feel like you need to progress at the same rate as everyone else; your development is what's important, not other peoples. You will always be taught at your own individual level and encouraged to learn in whatever way is most appropriate for you, the student.
Loose fitting clothing and no jewellery, Aikido is practiced in bare feet. Later on (usually because you'll be tired of getting your t-shirts stretched into odd shapes) Aikido training is done in a uniform called a keikogi or 'gi' for short. The club has discounts with the main martial arts suppliers in the UK so please ask your instructor to order any aikido apparel.
No, beginners are always welcome at any time of year.
No, aikido is not a fighting art.
Eventually, yes. Common practice weapons in aikido include: the jo (staff), bokuto (wooden sword) and bokutanto (wooden knife).
Of course you can! However, please be aware that the instructor might not be able to talk with you for long as they will be teaching a class. Also, Aikido is an art that is appreciated by feel and not by appearances; so you'll get a lot more out of it by stepping on the mat to try it out.
If you have any questions not addressed here, please get in touch. We'd love to have you come join in.