Welcome to Genshinkan Aikido Manhattan!
Here you can find your “starter kit” for getting the most out of your membership to our dojo.
To attend class:
Click on the button to be taken to our class sign ups (found under Student Resources in the navigation bar above). There’s no limit in the number of classes students can attend in a month - students are encouraged to come to practice as much as their schedules allow.
Paying dues:
Dues are collected on or before the 20th of each month. Studentship is a flat-fee of $140. Note that the $20 trial class mat fee goes towards your first month's dues. There are four ways to pay dues: cash, Paypal, and Venmo, Zelle.
Getting Started
Your Uniform
Gym clothes are acceptable for the first 2 weeks of practice, after which point a uniform is required. We have 2 recommendations for a uniform:
You can purchase entry level uniforms online at e-bogu.com or Tozando. Both competitively priced, with fast delivery.
Another option is Seido from Japan. This is the product Sensei endorses and wears. It's exceptional quality, long lasting, and a good price. Here's a link to the exact uniform he would recommend for you
+ How to Tie your Belt
- Students at the dojo will be happy to show you and help you tie your belt the first couple classes with your new gi. To help practice, please refer to this step by step image:
- If you prefer to watch a video, we recommend Seido Co
Please be sure to ask for a bleached judo gi,
WHiCH should come with a white belt.
Our Student Handbook
The full 30+ pages can be a little overwhelming at first - we recommend you familiarize yourself with it at your own pace, a couple chapters at a time. This is an incredibly helpful resource for learning about dojo etiquette, terminology, and history of our lineage (plus much more).
Typically dojos charge an average fee of $20 for this type of guide book, however... I want you to have this at no cost. It will only help deepen your understanding, and hopefully your interest in the art as a whole.
A couple pointers to start with:
+ Top etiquette tips
- Bowing: the easiest way to get the hang is to simply copy what you see from students on the mat. We bow to enter the mat, we bow to each other to begin our turn at a technique, and we bow to our instructor (Sensei) when they give us pointers
- Tasks: The more senior students will be happy to show you our opening and closing tasks - we sweep and wipe the mats, take care of our plants, etc.
+ Learn the most common Japanese phrases
- At the start of class, you will hear the most senior student on the mat say: Shomen ni, rei (bow to Shomen), Sensei ni, rei (bow to Instructor) at which point we say together Onegaishimasu (Let us begin)
- At the close of class, you will again hear the most senior student on the mat say: Shomen ni, rei (bow to Shomen), Sensei ni, rei (bow to Instructor) and we say together Domo arigato gozaimashita, Sensei" (Thank you, Instructor)
