Schedule
New York City Aikido currently conducts regularly scheduled classes three days a week. There may be additional training sessions conducted on an ad hoc, RSVP basis.
The class schedule (and instructor lineup) is subject to change. See our calendar. Private sessions may be available (please contact us).
*For January 2019, the Thursday 5 pm session is canceled. Classes are canceled from Dec. 22 – Jan. 1 for winter break.*
RSVP Flex time and location may vary week to week (Sherman) *
Tuesdays 5:00-6:15 pm (Sherman); 6:15-8:00 pm (Tracy) Pearl, Room 405 (4th floor)
Thursdays 5:00-6:15 pm (Sherman); 6:15-8:00 pm (Tracy) Pearl, Room 405 (4th floor)
Saturday 10-12 pm (Tracy) Pearl, PH1 (accessible through stairs from the 12th floor)
The start and the end of classes may involve mat set-up and breakdown, and so class times may be shortened accordingly.
* “RSVP Flex” class is a weekly class for members and regular visitors. Time and location may vary week to week, and are announced through invitation. Currently these classes are scheduled for the outdoors, and are subject to good weather. RSVP is required. Confirmed classes are posted on the NYCA Google calendar.
When Saturday classes are located at Pearl Studios Room PH1, we will typically utilize jo or bokken for part of the session. Please bring your jo or let us know in advance if you need to borrow one.
Currently, all classes are mixed level. Classes are generally principles based, and may address physical, psychological and spiritual elements of aikido. Various topics or themes may be covered, and practice methods utilized, such as in-yo ho (yin-yang), timing and ma-ai, technique (kihon, henka, and kaeshi waza), randori (multiple attacker), ukemi (attacking, receiving, soft ukemi — falling and rolling), ki musubi (connection) and sensitivity drills, core strengthening, body structure and alignment work, internal strength / internal power exercises, etc.
Canceled Classes
In 2018, to accommodate seminar and other activity, classes will not be held on the following Saturdays:
Jan. 20, 27; Feb. 3, 17
Feb. 10 (Hiroshi Ikeda shihan seminar in DC)
Mar. 17 (Jan Nevelius shihan seminar in NYC)
Apr. 7 (Melissa Bell sensei in NYC)
Apr. 14 (Mitsugi Saotome shihan ‘Cherry Blossom” seminar in Washington, DC)
May 12 (Robert Deppe sensei in NYC)
May 19
May 26 (William Gleason sensei seminar in Great Barrington, MA)
Jun. 2 (Mitsugi Saotome shihan seminar in NYC)
Jun. 16 (Hiroshi Ikeda shihan in Fort Washington, PA)
Jul. 7 (ASU Summer Camp in Washington, D.C.)
Jul. 28 (Boulder Aikikai Rockies Summer Camp in Colorado)
Aug. 4, 25
Sep. 22 (Hiroshi Ikeda shihan seminar in NYC)
Sept. 29 (Mitsugi Saotome shihan “Instructors Seminar” in Washington, DC)
Oct. 13, 20
Nov. 17, 24 (Nov. 22 Thu. as well)
Dec. 22, 29 (Dec. 25 Tue and Dec. 27 Thu. as well)
Classes are canceled if they otherwise fall on major holidays. For 2018, this includes Thu. Nov. 22 and Tue. Dec. 25. Other holiday period or other cancelations may be announced closer to the time.
Prior schedules may be found here (2017).
Training Attire
The standard training uniform is a keiko (training) gi (judo or karate style). All classes are hakama optional; for convenience purposes, most instructors and members are not wearing hakama, except for special events. For beginners who have not yet purchased a gi, loose fitting long pants and long sleeve T-shirt are acceptable. Please consider arriving a 5-10 minutes early to change (the studios have restrooms and small changing rooms on each floor).
Jewelry and watches should not be worn on the mat. It is best to leave anything of value at home. (Earrings may be taped to cover them.)
For RSVP Flex or weapons outdoor training, training attire is comfortable long pants, T-shirt and sneakers; long sleeve shirt is also recommended. Bring drinking water too.
Location
Most regularly scheduled classes are held in midtown Manhattan at Pearl Studios, located at 500 Eighth Avenue (between 35th and 36th Streets), on the 4th or 12th floor. Room assignments may vary. Tuesday and Thursday classes generally will be in room 405 (4th floor), and Saturday classes (if not outdoors) room PH1 (take elevator to the 12th floor and walk a flight of stairs — check with the front desk on 12 to be directed to the proper stairwell). (There are video screens on each floor, with room assignments. If necessary, ask at the Pearl Studios front desk for “TASL Arts” or “New York City Aikido,” especially as room assignments may change last minute.) Please bring ID, as the building lobby personnel checks ID for all people coming into the building.
Location for outdoor or FLEX classes is communicated by email.