Yes, you can practice Aikido even without any such background. You can go at a pace that is suitable for your physical fitness level at Nakazaki Dojo.
Aikido is not a competition to see who is better, but a practice for personal growth (there are no matches/competition in Aikido, at least in schools that follow the Founder's teachings). You can train at your own pace, so you can still participate in our training even if you are not physically strong or confident in your stamina. You are welcome to take breaks throughout practice.
If you live in Japan, it is highly recommended that you learn Japanese, but English interpretation is available for those who cannot speak Japanese in most regular classes.
In general, Aikido is practiced in pairs training to learn the techniques known as waza (業 or 技 in Japanese). The instructor demonstrates and explains how a technique is done, then students will take turns applying and receiving the technique.
In Aikido, the person applying the technique is referred to as tori* (取 or とり)and the person receiving the technique is referred to as uke (受 or うけ).
*Some dojos may refer to tori as nage due to differences in usage of terminology, but tori is most commonly used in Aikido in Japan.
Beginners will first learn to roll and fall safely, a skill in Japanese budo called ukemi (受け身), and then they will start practicing basic techniques.
Aikido techniques can be generalized into two categories: throws (nagewaza 投げ技) and pins (osaewaza 抑え技)
Additional Note: Although students takes turns applying and receiving techniques, it is not a give-and-take relationship in the sense of letting someone apply a technique and then they let you do it back to make things fair. It is a mutually supportive relationship where receiving the technique is part of training the body and also providing kinetic feedback to your partner.
It is fine to join practice at first in comfortable clothing that is movable (long sleeves and pants that cover past the elbows and knees are recommended).
It's okay to buy dogi right away, but there is no issue if you want to hold off on the purchase until you feel that you will stay committed to practicing Aikido for at least some length if not for a long time.
If you have questions about buying a dogi for the first time, feel free to ask for advice.
While it is possible to apply techniques in a way to cause pain through joint manipulation in Aikido, Nakazaki Dojo does not make it a goal to cause pain to others, nor do we practice with the intent of causing any pain to our partners. The dojo is vigilant in making sure practice is done safely and without relying on pain compliance.
Nakazaki Dojo encourages its members to continue the practice of Aikido as long as they can over the course of years. It is perfectly fine to come to class when it works with your schedule.
(Regular class days are on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings.)
We do encourage adult members to take part in the monthly seminars led by Yamaguchi Shihan, but it is not required and there is no pressure to go if you cannot for whatever reason.
Nakazaki Dojo members who pay the monthly membership fee can join as many classes as they want for that month (there are no limits to the number of classes they may attend).
In addition, Nakazaki Dojo members can opt to use the visitor fee system instead if they know for whatever reason, they will only be able to attend 1 or 2 classes in a given month to reduce the
financial burden of membership for that month. The visitor fee for a month is capped at the same amount as the monthly membership fee should a member find that they are able to attend more
classes than initially thought.
The visitor fee for Nakazaki Dojo and Kenshukai Dojo members is 1500 Yen per class. It is 1000 Yen per class on Mondays only. If the sum of the visitor fee paid in a month reaches
that of the monthly membership fee (e.g. 6500 Yen), then no more visitor fees will be required when attending any more regular classes for that month.
Visitor Fees for non-Kenshukai Dojo members are 2000 Yen who are residents of Japan. The first visitor practice will be free for those who reside in the Kansai region.
Visitor Fees for those whose primary residence is not in Japan is 4000 Yen per class. It is 3000 Yen per class on Mondays only. *English interpretation will be available excepting certain days where the instructor is not available.
There are participants who come from a long distance away and are unable to attend our dojo regularly, but make the trip to Osaka every month to attend Yamaguchi Shihan's seminars.
You can attend the seminar even if you are not a member, so feel free to sign up.
(We currently do not sign or stamp seminar participation in the Aikikai International Yudansha Handbook)