Welcome to Aikido Byōdōkai Community of Minnesota!
Whether you are a new student, a current student or just looking to learn a little bit about Aikido, we are so happy you visited.
Aikido is a traditional Japanese form of Budo, a way of study that includes both physical and mental training. Aikido is often translated as “the way of harmony with nature or universal energy.” We teach physical techniques as well as philosophy related to Aikido that often relates to how we can create harmony in our daily relationships and communities.
Byōdō 平等 translates to “Equality” in English. Byōdō is an important concept in Buddhism, involving the contemplation of the equality of all things. It reflects our belief that all students are equally valuable and every person deserves to be treated with respect and care.
We practice our Aikido at the Kobukan Dojo in northeast Minneapolis at the Waterbury Building.
Aikido focuses on the importance of relationship between the person doing the technique (shite) and the person receiving the technique (uke).
In our adult and youth classes, you will learn pins, controls, throws, and safe falling. You will practice techniques with other students in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere. Most importantly, you will be practicing with teachers and students whose goal is to practice harmony with everyone.
COVID-19 and Other Communicable Diseases Policy
Our study of Aikido involves close physical contact, and so we take precautions to prevent the spread of illnesses to our training partners and our broader community. An important concept in the study of Aikido is practicing harmony with others, and that practice happens both on and off the mat. One of the ways that we can practice harmony with others is by protecting the health of ourselves and those in our community.
We ask that students follow these practices as a way of making harmony and protecting the health of our community:
- If you are sick, stay home to rest and recover
- Please stay up to date on vaccines to protect your health and the health of others
- Follow the CDC guidelines on masking: Please wear a mask for the full 10 days following a Covid-19 infection or known exposure, if you have any respiratory symptoms, or if you are at high risk of getting sick
- Students are always welcome to train with masks
We will monitor the risk levels of our local community. If risk levels for any communicable illness are high, we may implement additional measures to prevent the spread of illness.
