Practice Information
Below is the calendar for calendar year 2006, beginning on Tuesday January 3rd. As always, the calendar is subject to change given unforseen scheduling conflicts (and special practices at other dojos we want to go to!). The dojo is closed on all national holidays, and may be closed due to unforseen circumstances (e.g., really bad weather). If you are unsure please call ahead!
Days and Times
Our Summer 2006 practice schedule is as follows:
| Day | Time | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesdays | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | General Practice Class |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Intermediate/Advanced Class | |
| Saturdays | 9:30am - 10:00am | Children's Class |
| 10:00am - 11:00am | General Practice Class | |
| 11:00am - Noon | General Weapons Class |
We train every Tuesday evening from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, as well as every Saturday morning from 10:00am - Noon. Tuesday evenings have a "General Practice" class, consisting of both partner/group practice (at the level appropriate for those attending), as well as an "Intermediate/Advanced" class appropriate for students who have been training for some time (consult with Sensei before attending this class). Saturday classes will be a mix of a "General Practice" class and "General Weapons" class working on a combination of individual and partner practice, as well as basic weapons forms (both individual and with partners). On Saturday mornings from 9:30am until 10:00am we will have a "Children's" class open to students under the age of 11, taught by Dave Dwyer Sensei.
Fees
The costs of practicing Aikido at the Prairie Aikikai are both low and easy to understand. In general, students will encounter four types of costs: annual membership, practice (or "mat"), promotion (or "testing"), and uniform/equipment.
Annual Membership Fee
Visitors to the Prairie Aikikai are always welcome! No one should begin practicing a martial art, or pay any money, until they are sure they know what they are getting into, what it costs and, most importantly, that they will enjoy doing it! Potential students are encouraged to visit and watch as many classes as desired (all of our practices, seminars, and demonstrations are open). Potential students may participate in up to two classes at no charge and without any obligation whatsoever.
The Prairie Aikikai charges an annual membership fee of $70 ($110 for black belt ranks) for Adult students (15 years of age and older). This fee pays for the accident/medical and liability insurance, individual annual registration with both the Prairie Aikikai and the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, and record keeping and basic maintenance of the dojo. Juniors (ages 11 through 14 years) and Children (ages 6 through 10 years) pay an annual member ship fee of $35 each year. Students under the age of 15 are not required to join the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, resulting in a lower annual fee ($35 per year). The annual membership fee is first due when the student begins formally practicing, and must be renewed each January. Students who have not paid their annual membership by the end of January will be asked to do so before being allowed to practice again.
Practice (or "mat") Fee
Lighting, heat (in the winter) and air conditioning (in the summer), water and restroom supplies, and maintenance of the mat and practice area are all just some of the ongoing expenses that any dojo must face. Practice fees provide a way to pay for these expenses. We have tried to keep the costs as low as possible to insure that as many people can practice as often as they want. Several different options are available:
| $3/practice | This is a "pay as you go" option. It is best for those who schedules are uncertain, or who may not be able to practice that often. It does require bringing cash-in-hand, though, since the Prairie Aikikai does not take checks or credit cards for per-practice fees. |
| $20/month | This option allows the student to attend any or all practices during that month. The fee may be paid each month, or for several months in advance. A $5 discount ($55 instead of $60) is given for three months advance payment, and a $20 discount ($100 instead of $120) is given for six months advance payment. This option is best for those who want to practice more frequently and don't want to have to worry about cash-in-hand. Advanced payment can also save you some money (and saves us from having to collect it). |
| Family | Multiple members of the same immediate family (father, mother, son, daughter -- that kind of thing) often enjoy practicing together. We offer a discount to encourage this. The first student from a family pays the regular rate, with each additional member enjoying a 20% discount. Note that this discount only applies to monthly and advanced payment options, not the $3/practice per person "pay as you go" option. |
These fees cover the costs of regular practices. Special practices, including: seminars, guest instructors at the Prairie Aikikai, practices at other dojos, and retreats/camps usually involve an additional cost and possibly travel to another location. Students are encouraged to attend these special events, time and money permitting.
Promotion (or "testing") Fee
Aikido, like most modern martial arts, allows students to gauge and record their progress and development in the art through periodic evaluation. Testing for rank promotion gives students a way to prepare and deliver a formal demonstration of where they are in their skills and knowledge, and provides a formal setting for instructor to evaluate students and give feedback. At the Prairie Aikikai students are carefully prepared for each testing experience; in fact, students are not allowed to engage in a test unless they have already satisfacorily demonstated their knowledge and skills in the elements required for that promotion! In this way tests become more of a demonstration and celebration, not an opportunity for failure!
A small fee is assessed at each test. All Adult testings prior to the black belt (or "dan") ranks are assessed the same fee: $40 per test. All Junior and Children testings are assessed the same fee: $10 per test. Testing for these "kyu" ranks are done locally at the Prairie Aikikai dojo, typically in conjunction with special practices or seminars. Adult students, being members of ASU, have their rank registered through the ASU and receive an official promotion certificate from the organization (the additional cost). All promoted students earn a new colored belt (appropriate to their new rank) and a Prairie Aikikai certificate of accomplishment.
The cost of black belt rank promotions will vary depending on the current exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Yen (this is necessary since dan ranks are recorded in Japan, incurring an additional charge). Students contemplating a black belt level promotion are encouraged to talk with the instructor well in advance for the current rate. Testing for "dan" ranks are typically done in conjuction with an ASU special seminar, camp or retreat, which will involve an additional cost (and possibly travel). Per ASU policy, Junior and Children students are not eligible to test for dan ranks.
Uniforms/Equipment
Beginning students do not need to work about purchasing any uniforms or equipment. Basically, we feel that it is foolish to pour money into anything if you are just starting out and are not sure if you will do it over the long run. Instead, practicing in loose-fitting sweat clothes (a t-shirt and long pants) is just fine. We have plenty of "loaner" pieces of equipment for those times when equipment is needed.
Once a student has decided to stick with Aikido for a while, usually as the student nears their first promotion, is the time to think about acquiring a wearing a uniform. Aikidoka wear a variety of different "gi", or practice uniform, from lightweight poly-cotton blends to heavy canvas to even heavier judo-style uniforms. The choice is up to you, as is where you get it from and how much it costs. Prairie Aikikai works with several suppliers, allowing us to usually acquire uniforms at prices much lower than anyone else can. The same is true for "hakama" (the pleated pants you will see many Aikidoka wear) and for the weapons we practice with. When you are ready ask to see a catalog or two, consider the options and prices, and shop around!