For Students

All students at Aikido Kokikai Berlin should be familiar with the following information. It covers basic etiquette, testing, uniforms and equipment, camps, and fees.

Basic Etiquette

Arrive early to class so you can help sweep and set up the dojo.
Wear sandals from the changing room to the mat. No footwear is allowed on the mat.
Do not bring food or beverages of any kind into the dojo.
Bow before entering and leaving the mat.
Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed.
Always practice in a clean gi (uniform).
Do not wear jewelry during class.
Treat your fellow students with kindness, and respect those with a higher rank.
Train with safety in mind and uke helpfully.
During class, address the instructor as "sensei."
Avoid talking excessively while training.
If you arrive to class late, sit in seiza on the side of the mat and wait for the instructor’s permission to join.

Testing

Students who practice regularly will be invited to test for rank promotion. Testing occurs several times throughout the year. Tests are non-competitive demonstrations of the techniques you have learned during your training. While we call it a test, it is more of an opportunity for the dojo community to celebrate and acknowledge your commitment to Aikido. If your instructor invites you to test, it basically means you have already passed—but you still have to do it!

Testing requirements vary depending on your rank. For example, you are eligible to test for 6th kyu after practicing for a minimum of 2 months with 16 hours of instruction. Please note that these are guidelines only. Students who wish to test are expected to train regularly and exceed the minimum requirements.

If you believe you are eligible to test, please check your attendance record on Meetup (or with Syndicate Martial Arts Berlin) and submit to Steve Sensei the following information:

Name
Current rank
Testing rank
Belt size requested
Date of previous test (or when you started Aikido)
Number of classes attended since last test
Optional: what you would like to practice more of to improve your test

Note that there is an additional fee for testing.

Uniforms and Equipment

Discounted gi (uniforms) are available at AsiaSport in Prenzlauerberg. Judo gi tend to be the most appropriate and comfortable for beginners, but medium weight (not lightweight) karate gi also work. Note that in Kokikai, we prefer gi sleeves to extend to the wrists. Try to avoid “aikido” gi with shorter sleeves. Gi are also available as a part of your registration package when you sign up with Syndicate Martial Arts Berlin.

You may also want to purchase wooden practice weapons: tanto (knife), bokken (sword), and jo (staff).

Camps

There are several weekend-long camps per year in various places around the world, generally in the New York/New Jersey area in the US in April and August; in Sydney, Australia in October; a camp in the middle of November that rotates between Seattle, Phoenix, and San Francisco in the US; and occasional events in Japan. Students of Aikido Kokikai Berlin are welcome and encouraged to attend any of these camps.

Fees

Training fees: paid monthly to Syndicate Martial Arts Berlin, varies depending on how often you want to train and the length of your contract. Additional registration fee includes a practice uniform.

Testing fees: paid to Aikido Kokikai Berlin for the right to test for a rank promotion. The amount depends on the rank being tested for.

Training fees pay for our access to the dojo space at Syndicate Martial Arts Berlin. Testing fees pay for equipment, help us bring in visiting instructors, and in general support the growth of Aikido Kokikai Berlin.

Your first class is free!

Students wishing to try a trial class must sign up first at syndicate-berlin.de

What to expect at your first class →