Aikido Adult Training Information

Training Timetables

Burnside Dojo Adult TimeTable

Linwood Dojo Adult Timetable

Where we Train

Burnside Dojo

Corner of Clyde Road and Morley Street, Burnside, Christchurch

Linwood Dojo

Cowles Stadium, Pages Road, Linwood, Christchurch.

Training Fees

The individual fee is $60/month to train as often as you wish at both our dojos. Mini-seminars and proficiency tests are included in the monthly training fees, although seminars and gradings have additional costs.

We also offer discounts if multiple members of your family are training, or for pre-paying your membership.

Payments

Aikido Shinryukan Canterbury
Westpac Bank
Account Number: 03 0855 0340529 00

Please always include some details on the deposit and send Andrew an email so the deposit can be tracked.

Incentives and discounts

• Buddy system – Receive one month free training when you introduce a friend whom then joins and pays their first month.

• Top trainers – Receive three months free training when you get the Top Trainer award for four months in a year.

Information For Beginners

Beginners are welcome! You can watch any of our classes or train in the general or basics classes – some people want to watch before giving it a go, and some people just want to dive right in. We’re happy for you to take it at your own pace.

The first class you train in is free!

So you can simply come along and try things out. The adult’s classes may be attended by anyone 13 years and up, but if you’re younger then have a look at our kids classes.

We have two dojo’s (places of training) and our timetable has classes 7 days a week. For your first class we’d recommend:

• Burnside dojo, Corner of Clyde Road and Morley St, Christchurch

• Monday: 6-7.30pm

• Wednesday: 6-7.30pm

• Friday: 6-7.30pm

What to Wear and What to Expect

“Aikido is ‘easy’” – Andrew’s favourite saying in Basics class.

If you wish to train, wear loose clothing; for example, track suit or training pants and a sweatshirt. Please try to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled class time and introduce yourself to the instructor (who is called “sensei” which simply means teacher). The class will then begin when all the students and instructor line up and bow.

The class will commence with light warm-ups gradually increasing in intensity to ensure that you are thoroughly prepared for training. The warm-ups themselves are excellent physical therapy.

After the warm-up you will probably be taught to breakfall. Be patient, as you’ll probably need several classes before you can breakfall properly.

“This aikido business connects us to a large number of amazing people and the warm glow I felt amongst new and old friends is still lit within me”.– Miria Lange on travelling to Japan [October 2008].

Following this the instructor will demonstrate a technique. You will then bow to a partner and train with that partner practising the technique shown.

The class will finish with some light warm-downs and be completed when you bow out. Following the class everybody sweeps the mat and cleans up the dojo.

Don’t be worried about feeling out of place, or that the movements feel strange or difficult – everyone was a beginner at some point (even the teacher) and remembers it. The other students and the instructor are all there to help you develop your aikido, and that is their job. Your job is to enjoy the training and have fun.

The next day you may feel some residual muscle stiffness. Again this is pretty normal and quickly disappears with regular training as your fitness improves.

“Considering I initially came to Christchurch for 6 months, I’ve made a home here and Aikido has been a big part of that.” – Colin Grealy

After your first class

The first class is free, feel free at ask any questions you might have of the instructor. Then if you wish to continue you need to complete our membership form (available at the dojo) and pay the membership fees.

If you have any other concerns please feel free to contact us.

“After a few months of aikido training I lost a whopping 10 kilos of fat and gained a few biceps and triceps.” – Magdalene Huang

Top Trainers

We’re very proud that we have a large number of regular classes to offer each week and each month. There are no “secrets” in Aikido. Very simply: with good instruction the more you train the better you will be. We encourage students to train as often as they can.

As a tribute to that we keep track of each month’s top trainer, and their name is displayed on the Burnside dojo notice board, with the other last 12 months top trainers.

Getting top trainer four times in 12 months entitles the recipient to three months free training.

All time top trainer

Special mention goes to the people who give up their life for a whole month, to get the top of the top trainers.

• Kahurangi Bronsson-George – 59 classes – October 2008

• Colin Grealy – 59 classes – October 2016

• Ben Hayward – 57 classes – October 2005

• Shane Goodwin – 52 classes – May 2002

It is possible to beat this record but you need to pick your month to try.

A very special mention has to go to Lance Kelly who although does not appear on the all time top trainer lists has achieved the top trainer each month for a 12 month period from July 2015 to July 2016. This is the first time since keeping records that someone has achieved this consistency.