
Temporary Closure
Following the announcement that the city of Boston is rolling back to phase 2 of reopening, we are closing the dojo for the next few weeks.
A traditional martial arts dojo
Given continuing public health concerns, classes will operate a bit differently than they have in the past.
Read MoreBoston Aikikai Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to promoting the martial art of Aikido. All donations are tax deductible.
Developed by Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido is a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and spiritual beliefs. Aikido is often translated as “the way of unifying with life energy,” or as “the way of harmonious spirit.” This traditional martial art teaches physical and mental discipline as a path to personal growth.
Using its philosophy of peaceful resolution to confrontation, Aikido teaches how to redirect attacks of an aggressor. Training is demanding, and can serve as a platform for both physical and spiritual development.
The primary objective of our dojo is to cultivate physical and mental well‐being fostered through physical training, self-development, and community engagement.
At Boston Aikikai, classes are open to all, regardless of race, gender, age, or ability.
Please donate, if you can! Your support will help our training to continue, and our community to flourish.
If you’re interested in checking us out, drop by for one of our classes – we have them seven days a week. Just come in and take off your shoes when entering the dojo. You’re welcome to sit and observe class at any time. If you want to meet the members, all you have to do is arrive 10 minutes before class or stick around afterwards!
Ready to give it a try? Bring some gym clothes for a free trial class. Just contact the dojo (bostonaikikai617@gmail.com) first expressing your interest and what day you’d like to come in!
Want a free gi (uniform)? We have a great beginner’s package! It covers 10 basics classes and comes with a gi.
Like what you’ve seen? Sign up for our traditional membership. This gives you unlimited access to our entire class schedule!
See here for more information on what you can expect when visiting us, here for some general rules of conduct when practicing with us, and here for directions to the dojo.
Aikido etiquette remains deeply influenced by traditional Japanese martial arts values (budo). A centerpiece is Rei, which means “appreciation and respect.” Practitioners show Rei to O-Sensei (Founder of Aikido), to the sensei (instructors), and to training partners.
Bowing
In the dojo (place of practice), students express respect in the form of bowing, which is part of traditional martial arts culture. Bowing in the dojo is a purely cultural, non-religious, expression of respect.
A picture of O-Sensei and that of other late grand masters are displayed in the shomen (front of the dojo). Students express respect and gratitude to O-Sensei for his legacy in the form of bowing.
Classes
The dojo opens about 15 minutes before the beginning of a class. If you wish only to observe a class, come in to the dojo and someone will greet you. Upon entering the dojo, remove your shoes in the front area (at the top of the steps). The day of your first class, allow for at least 15 minutes to register and get acquainted with the space.
Classes begin with warm-ups customized to the practice of Aikido or Iaido. Before class, take time to calm and settle yourself to prepare both physically and mentally for practice.
Do not be late. But if circumstances arise and you must arrive late to class, get changed as quickly as you can, stand by the edge of the mat, and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you, at which point you may bow onto the mat.
Partners
Better than adversaries, your partners are critical to your improvement and they are happy to help you if they are more advanced. Lacking respect towards your training partners goes against the spirit of Aikido and is unproductive. Remain humble and sincere. During class or free practice, overcome your aggressiveness and competitiveness. Before and after practicing with a partner, show respect and bow to her/him.
Dojo Tasks
The dojo has no employees. The dojo needs to be maintained and kept immaculately clean. This is every member’s responsibility. Tatami need special care and must be cleaned at least once a day, usually after class. All members are expected to help keep all parts of the dojo neat and orderly at all times–including the mat, floors, entrance area, bathrooms, and inside the locker rooms. No permission is required to help with cleaning. Observe and ask questions to the sensei or senior students, who will be happy to guide you through the cleaning process.
Anyone interested in trying aikido is welcome to a free class. Please contact the chief instructor so that we will be prepared to welcome you on the day you will visit.
Contact DojoChief Instructor
Vu X. Ha, Rokudan (6th degree) has been a practitioner of aikido since 1989 and was a close and direct student both of the late Akira Tohei Shihan in Chicago, IL, and Mitsunari Kanai Shihan in Cambridge, MA. Throughout the year, he continues training with master instructors (Shihan) from the U.S. Aikido Federation Technical Committee and Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu), nationally and internationally. He is also practitioner of Iaido, (Godan; 5th degree) the Japanese martial art drawing and cutting with the sword.
Instructor
Fiona Blyth, Godan (5th degree), has been a practitioner of Aikido for more than 25 years in the U.S., England, and France. A close and direct student of the late Mitsunari Kanai Sensei at New England Aikikai in Cambridge, MA, she was an integral part of developing and teaching the beginners curriculum with Kanai Sensei. She taught beginner and mixed level classes for many years at the New England Aikikai. She has taught seminars in the United States and England, and continues to train in Europe and the States.
Instructor
Catherine Lefebvre (2nd degree Aikido; 4th degree Iaido) started practicing Aikido and Iaido in Quebec City (Canada) in 1999. She then studied under Claude Berthiaume Shihan at Aikido de la Montagne, Montreal (Canada). Since 2020, she joined Boston Aikikai and is assistant instructor for the Iaido program.
Following the announcement that the city of Boston is rolling back to phase 2 of reopening, we are closing the dojo for the next few weeks.
In-person classes at the dojo with Covid precautions and limited capacity.
Aikido movements originate from sword work, and therefore, even in a pandemic we are able to continue our aikido training through sword practice. Class consists of cutting and blocking exercises with the bokken (wooden sword), followed by partner work. Masks are worn at all times.