How We Train, How We Grow
Our dojo is our training ground, our safe and sacred space. Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual safety are the cornerstones of our dojo culture.
Here, there is no need or tolerance for making fun of someone's mistakes, or making others feel small so we can feel big. In fact, quite the opposite. We acknowledge and applaud each other's efforts and successes, actively seek ways to build each other up, and work hard to bring out the best in each other.
Within this safe and sacred space, we train "for real". As we increasingly prove ourselves, we develop the quiet confidence that doesn't require us to shout out how great we are. Our presence is our proof.
At Essential Aikido, you matter. You are noticed and acknowledged. We love and accept you where you are today. (Yes, we just said love and we mean LOVE!)
We don't require you to change who you are, or become "one of us" to belong. Rather, belonging at Essential Aikido simply means: BE the amazing person you ALREADY are and DEVELOP into the more amazing person you want to be.
We BELIEVE IN YOU! (…sometimes more than you believe in yourself.)
Most people have been conditioned to avoid failure at all costs. Not here! Here, we reframe "failure" as feedback, creating a safe place to learn, accelerate your growth, and incrementally actualize your potential. Unify, purify and polish your mind-body-spirit into your ever-evolving best self!
Finally, we learn, retain and apply most effectively when we are having fun! We take our training very seriously, and ourselves very lightly. You'll enjoy lots of laughter and camaraderie on and off the mat.
Here's what our students say makes our dojo special:
"Our dojo's superpower is its aptness to embrace all levels of ability in the dojo members. There is a demonstrable habit of helping others. More times than I can count I have been encouraged to keep going, and not dismissed as lacking. We look to learn from each other, regardless of rank, although rank is respected. I miss the camaraderie whenever I am unable to attend class. That embrace has allowed to feel successful in my practice of aikido, which bleeds over into a feeling of confidence in my life outside of the dojo. When I succeed in class, it gives me a lift to expect to succeed at challenges outside of the dojo."
"I think our greatest collective power is that we care for each other at the dojo. This specific trait benefits me personally by making me more willing to listen and accept someone else's seasoning on a debatable subject."
"We have The Force! We are able to focus our energy and power both inside and outside of practice."
"The dojo's superpower for me is adapting to hard circumstances. For me in particular, it was working through all the Covid changes and having a community support system. It helped sustain me through the changes and provided me with an outlet from being isolated."
"Our dojo superpower is adaptability. We not only adapt the principles and fundamentals of Aikido to what we need nowadays, but we also have adapted to overcome the difficulties of the present situation."
The best way to know if Essential Aikido is right for you is to experience it in person.
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