July-Aug 2015
New summer beginning Aikido class
This year, enrollment in our Nippon Kan beginning Aikido classes has gone up. The number of graduating beginners that have gone on to become regular members has also been on the rise. Why the increase in students? We have been running a beginning class ½ price special this year, but I don’t think that is the reason.
It is part of our beginner’s class tradition for all of the beginning students and their instructors to eat a meal together at Domo Restaurant half way through their six-week session. During one of these dinners, one of the beginners began talking about why they had joined the beginning class. “When I went to the Nippon Kan website I saw that this dojo did not only teach Aikido; there were many other activities this dojo was involved in all over the world. With so much going on, I thought the cost of their classes would be really high to support so many projects. I was really surprised to see that the beginner’s classes were being offered for 50% off and curiosity made me give it a try. I thought that if this dojo was not asking a lot of money for classes then they must be doing something right to be able to maintain a strong, stable organization with such an authentic teaching philosophy and Japanese martial art traditions. So, here I am!”
Very perceptive observation and a correct evaluation-thank you!
More on the teaching philosophy at Nippon Kan can be found in these articles written by Nippon Kan Kancho Gaku Homma.
This Old Man Doesn’t Need it Anymore; Words of the Founder
Do Not Teach Budo if You are Worried about Your Komebitsu: Words of the Founder
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- Gentle, patient instruction
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- Instructing a safe practice with a watchful eye
Senior students assist new students with patience and kindness