Dojo Etiquette

Ki Aikido is more than physical training. The dojo is a shared learning environment where safety, discipline, and mutual respect are essential.

The following guidelines help create a positive and safe atmosphere for everyone.

On the mat and off the mat

Please arrive on time and be ready before class begins.
If you arrive late, wait quietly until the instructor invites you to join practice.
If you need to leave the mat during class, please inform the instructor.
Please remain focused on practice and avoid conversation during training.
Slippers or sandals must be worn off the mat at all times.
On the mat, you represent the art. The dojo is a place of practice, not a playground.
Please help keep the dojo clean and tidy before and after practice.
Remember that there is one instructor in the dojo.
Address the instructor as Sensei (teacher) at all times.
Always be kind with lower grades.

Safety & Personal Hygiene

If you feel tired or unwell, please inform the instructor.
Please do not attend training if you are unwell or may be contagious.
Inform the instructor of any injuries or medical conditions that may affect your training.
Training uniforms should be clean, in good condition, and free from strong odours.
Fingernails and toenails must be kept short or securely covered for safety reasons.
No jewellery may be worn during practice. All jewellery must be removed or covered.
No makeup is permitted during training. Long hair must be tied back.
When the instructor claps, stop immediately.

Inclusivity & Physical Practice

We aim to create a welcoming environment for everyone. However, Ki Aikido is a partner-based martial art where physical contact and partner rotation are fundamental parts of training.

As a Japanese art, Ki Aikido also includes formal greetings, including bows from standing or kneeling positions. Students are expected to train with a variety of partners regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, or background.

If, for personal, cultural, or religious reasons, someone is not comfortable with these aspects of training, we may unfortunately not be able to accommodate participation in regular practice.

Etiquette is not intended to be restrictive. Its purpose is to create a safe, respectful, and focused environment where everyone can learn and develop together through the practice.

Common Questions

What is Ki Aikido?

Ki Aikido is the art of mind-body coordination — a Japanese practice developed by Koichi Tohei that pairs Aikido technique with the study of Ki: breathing, posture, and a calm, coordinated mind. You don't need strength or prior experience to begin. Most people start by noticing how a settled mind changes the way the body moves.

What's the difference between Ki Aikido and Aikido?

Ki Aikido shares its roots with traditional Aikido — Koichi Tohei trained directly under Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido's founder, before establishing Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido. The difference is emphasis: Ki Aikido places Ki development — breathing, meditation, and mind-body coordination exercises — at the centre of practice, alongside the physical technique.

Do I need any prior experience to start?

No. Ki Aikido is suitable for anyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or background — it adapts to each person's capabilities. Most people who walk in have never trained in a martial art before. Your first class is free, with no obligation to continue.

Is Ki Aikido safe? What about injuries?

Ki Aikido is a non-competitive, partner-based practice — there's no sparring or fighting. Techniques are practised together, at a pace that suits both partners, with safety and mutual respect as the foundation. Full guidelines are on our dojo etiquette page.

See all questions

Dojo Etiquette

On the mat and off the mat

Safety & Personal Hygiene

Inclusivity & Physical Practice

Common Questions

Subscribe to our newsletter