Questions and Answers

Q. What do we study at Aikido Nippon Kan?

A. Please feel free to stop by the dojo and observe a class for a few minutes. Our trained office staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have. For a detailed description of Nippon Kan’s operations, programs and projects, Homma Sensei’s book, Aikido Sketch Diary: Dojo 365 Days, is highly-recommended reading.

Q. Martial arts training sounds too intimidating. Do you have a more moderately paced class for beginners?

A. Aikido Nippon Kan has a special series of classes every other month designed especially for the beginning student. It consists of 12 classes over a 6-week period, offered in four different time slots for your convenience. These beginning classes are taught by Homma Sensei and his experienced instructors. The beginning classes focus on teaching the ABCs of Aikido movement taught with kindness, patience and humor. Click here for more information.

Q. After paying my Beginners Class fee, what is the next step?

A. If you participated in at least six of your beginning classes, you are eligible to join as a regular member and there are 16 classes per week that you are eligible to attend.

Q. How much are regular membership fees?

A. Regular membership monthly dues are $50.00. There are no contracts, initiation, registration fees or any other hidden charges.

Q. I am not so young and not very athletic…

A. Many people with the same concerns have stopped by our dojo, and guess what? They are practicing. One of our members, Morris Brown, is 79 years old and has been practicing Aikido for 19 years.

Q. How many students are in the classes?

A. A Beginners Class usually has about 15 to 20 beginning students, plus regular members to assist the class—usually totaling 25 to 30 people.

Q. What are the instructors’ qualifications?

A. Nippon Kan has about ten instructors who have been trained personally by Gaku Homma Sensei. They have many years of experience teaching as senior instructors.

Q. What if I’ve practiced Aikido before, or what if I’m a member of another dojo?

A. Aikido Nippon Kan welcomes students of any Aikido style. Please observe a general class for a few minutes and choose a class level you are comfortable with. Then, please join us!

Q. How about classes for children?

A. You and your child are welcome to observe our Children’s Class any Saturday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. For more information of Nippon Kan’s philosophy on teaching children, Homma Sensei’s book, Children and the Martial Arts—An Aikido Point of View, is highly-recommended reading.