Abertillery Aikido Club. Bushinkai

I have set out quite a few regular questions that people ask. Hopefully, they might be similar to what you are thinking? If you want to find out more details, please do not hesitate to email the club instructor.

1. Can I just turn up to one of the classes?

Yes. The club instructor would prefer if you sent a quick email to confirm you will be arriving, but this is not necessary.

2. Do you offer club insurance?

Yes. The club is a member of the Shin Gi Tai Aikido Society. They in turn are members of the Governing body, the British Aikido Board. All individual insurance is completed via the Shin Gi Tai.

3. Are you a registered Aikido teacher?

The club instructor has been practicing Aikido for 28 years. He has a coaching level one status, and approved by the British Aikido Board to teach. The club instructor is always happy to bring a long his Dan grade certificates, if you wish to inspect them.

4. What are the costs involved?

The daily class fee's are £3.00 per lesson. Membership fee to the Shin Gi Tai, which includes insurance for 12 months is £12.00. Training suits can be acquired quite cheaply via Blitz, who is an international martial equipment retailer. If you require a more expensive and rugged training suit, we have an account with Nine Circles, which offer a better quality range of training suits. The most expensive being around £30.00. Although cheaper alternatives are available.

After a few months, you might want to acquire some training weapons. In the first instance, cheaper ones might be an option. A Wooden staff, and wooden sword are around £15.00. Most of the club members import wooden weapons from Japan, due to the high quality. With the postage they normally retail at around £60. This type of lay out, would not be necessary for some considerable amount of time.

5. What do I need to wear to my first class?

Wearing sensible clothing, which you are comfortable in. Something old, which you don't mind getting ripped, although that won't happen. Please make sure there are no external zips, which could catch your skin, or the partner you are training with. You also need to bring something to cover your feet, while not training on the mats. A pair of flip flops is ideal.

6. Can I just turn up and watch, without training?

Yes. We always encourage people to come along and spectate a class. If you then want to ask further questions, there will always be someone available to speak too.

7. What paperwork do I need to bring with me?

There are two piece's of paperwork you can download off this site. If you can complete them before attending, this will save a lot of time.

Shin Gi Tai Membership Application.
Insurance Form

8. My Son/daughter is 12 years old, can they join?

At the present time, we do not offer a children's class. All students must be 18 years or older. We might look in to starting up a separate children's class in the future. Please still contact us, we will place your child's name on a list. If we have enough interest, a class will start.

9. Are there any external course's I can go on, to learn from other teachers?

Yes. The Shin Gi Tai Aikido Society have quite a number of Local Welsh course's to attend. In the beginning, we will not pressure you to attend any course's. It is a requirement of joining, that you do attend at least 2 per year. As you start to advance through your gradings, you will be expected to attend a minimum of 2 per year.

10. I already train in Aikido in another club/association can I come along to train?

Yes. Abertillery Aikido Club does run a closed Dojo policy. This means, we do not allow any student/Instructor to walk in unannounced and train. If you are a current Aikido student, you would need to contact the club instructor before thinking of turning up to train. Once permission has been given, you will be welcome to train at anytime. If you do turn up unannounced, you will be allowed to spectate the class, but will not be allowed to train until the following week. This is part of the clubs constitution, and Dojo Etiquette. Please try your best to respect our Dojo etiquette rules.

11. What is Dojo Etiquette?

Dojo etiquette is a list of rules of what you can and cannot do, while you are in the club. They also apply to some extent outside of the club. You will be made aware of this list when you join. The list can be found on the main site. All club members are reminded, they are ambassadors, and doing something which would bring the club in to disrepute is not something that would be looked on favourably!

12. I have a few health problems, can I still train?

There are only two official health problems which will prevent you from practicing Aikido, and attaining insurance. These are Rheumatoid Arthritis & Haemophilia. If you do have any health issues, you must speak to the club Instructor about them. Help will be given, and your training will be adjusted to accommodate any issues.