Albuquerque Aikikai: Aikido

Notice: Albuquerque Aikikai will be closed on Monday 3/14 and Tuesday 3/15 for parking lot repaving. See you back on the mat on Wednesday!

Albuquerque Aikikai honors the legacy of Kurita Shihan of Kurita Juku Aiki in Mexico. We have long had a close collaboration with Kurita Juku Aiki and join them in mourning a great teacher. Our hearts go out to his students and loved ones. We are grateful for his guidance, influence and kindness over the years.

Reminder: Albuquerque Aikikai is closed on Monday, Feb. 21 in observance of Presidents' Day. We will resume our regular class schedule on Tuesday!

Notice: Albuquerque Aikikai will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 3 due to winter weather and icy road conditions. Please stay warm and safe, everyone!

Reminder: Albuquerque Aikikai is closed on Monday, January 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will be back to our regular schedule of classes on Tuesday.

Announcement: Albuquerque Aikikai will temporarily shift to no-contact weapons and body movement training in response to the Omicron variant. Please see our updated schedule here: http://www.abqaikido.com/schedule.html. Weapons classes are designed for both beginners and more advanced students and we have loaner weapons available.

"Weapons training is very important in pursuit of Aikido. Aikido has been developed from basic weapons movements. So, understanding weapons work, sword (bokken) and spear (jyo), will help you understand Aikido deeper," says Okuyama Sensei.

We are fortunate to have a large, well-ventilated dojo and that our members are all fully vaccinated. Masks are required and we are encouraging the use of N95/KN95 masks. Please reach out with any questions, and we'll see you on the mat!

Happy holidays from the dojo! We'll be closed from Friday, Dec. 24 through Monday, Jan. 3, reopening for Aikido training on Tuesday, Jan. 4 in 2022. There will also be a new 8-week beginners class starting on Jan. 25! It's a great way to learn the basics of Aikido or get reintroduced to the dojo if you've been away.

Visit http://www.abqaikido.com/beginners.html for more information.

Reminder: The dojo will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 25 through the weekend for Thanksgiving. We'll be back to our regular schedule on Monday, Nov. 29.

Intrigued by Aikido? Albuquerque Aikikai is offering a beginners class starting on September 2. $100 includes two months of classes and a training uniform. This is a great way to get started with this traditional Japanese martial art, or a perfect time to re-introduce yourself to the dojo if you've been away.

We have a large, well-ventilated dojo. Masks and proof of COVID vaccination are required. Come visit the dojo during our open hours, sign up online (http://www.abqaikido.com/beginners.html) or message us for more details!

Albuquerque Aikikai has a new beginners class starting on Thursday, Sept. 2! $100 includes two months of classes and a training uniform. Sign up online or come by the dojo. Please bring proof of vaccination when you visit. We look forward to training with you!
http://www.abqaikido.com/beginners.html

Dojo announcement: Albuquerque Aikikai will resume body arts training (and continue weapons training) starting on August 2.

Please check out our revised guidelines:
http://www.abqaikido.com/covid-19.html

and updated class schedule:
http://www.abqaikido.com/schedule.html

We will also have a new beginners class starting on September 2. More details soon, or please visit our site:
http://www.abqaikido.com/beginners.html

To all our friends in the Denver area! Our sister dojo Front Range Aikikai is now accepting new students with indoor classes.

Reminder:

Sophia is offering an Introduction to Mindfulness series at the dojo starting on Friday, July 23. These sessions are free of charge to existing and former members and their guests.

WHERE: Albuquerque Aikikai - 520 Central Ave SE
WHEN: Fridays at 6:00 pm (July 23, 30, Aug 6)
WHAT: Each session is about an hour long and will teach mindfulness topics and practices.

If you are new to the dojo or a returning student, please bring proof of vaccination and a mask (we do have masks available at the dojo if your forget yours), and wear comfortable clothes.

Fully vaccinated non-members are also welcome. Please message us for more information!

Special notice:
Sophia is offering an Introduction to Mindfulness series at the dojo. These sessions are free of charge to existing and former members and their guests.

WHERE: Albuquerque Aikikai - 520 Central Ave SE
WHEN: Fridays at 6:00 pm (July 23, 30, Aug 6)
WHAT: Each session is about an hour long and will teach mindfulness topics and practices.

​Mindfulness mediation is the cultivation of present moment awareness with an open and curious mind. This series in grounded in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), the evidence-based program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. All teachings are done from a secular (non-religious) perspective.

The classes include: An overview of the history of Mindfulness. Clear definitions of Mindfulness and the present moment supported by examples to deepen understanding. Discussion of basic brain science. Practical exercises that can be used immediately. The sessions will be in person at the dojo. Therefore, we will abide by the current rules that require vaccination and mask-wearing.

Albuquerque Aikikai is now welcoming fully vaccinated beginning students and students who are interested in returning to Aikido. Senior students will be available to work with you on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 6 pm on stances, footwork, ukemi and basic weapons. Please message us for more information, or come by the dojo on those days to sign up!

The dojo will be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day.

Reminder: The dojo is closed on Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day. Please join us Tuesday for bokken training.

If you're in the Denver area, please check out our sister dojo Front Range Aikikai, which is now open for new students!

It's time! We're accepting new students for Aikido and weapons training. Weapons includes bokken (sword), jo (staff) and tanto (knife). New students will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. If you are interested in training, please contact us at [email protected].

Welcome home! Albuquerque Aikikai is open for fully vaccinated members and visitors who wish to observe class. We are monitoring the state's health guidelines and are currently still requiring masks and social distancing measures in the dojo.

See our schedule here: http://www.abqaikido.com/schedule.html

Beginners, please message us about options for starting classes. We look forward to training with you!

Members: Albuquerque Aikikai is preparing to re-open on May 3 with non-contact classes. Please see our COVID-19 guidelines and protocols for how we will handle re-opening. Members must be vaccinated to attend classes.

For more information: http://www.abqaikido.com/covid-19.html

Albuquerque Aikikai remains closed due to Covid health restrictions. We continue to monitor the latest health guidance from the state.

We will post updates here, on abqaikido.com, and through email. Also, please keep an eye on your email for reminders of our virtual Zoom classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Members, please remember to pay dues so that we can cover the rent and keep the dojo open. Please see your email for more information or send us a message if you have any questions.

*This photo is from a pre-covid demo.

Reminder for members: If you are able to pay dues, we appreciate your continued support at this time. Please come join us through the Zoom movement classes and stay connected with your dojo!

Good advice from our sister dojo in Denver. This is a good time to think about connectedness in all its forms.

Reflecting on our December training while we are now physically distancing: Establishing a strong, appropriate and well-timed connection with our partners is a key element of rigorous Aikido training. Maintaining good connections with others while off the mat is another form of training, and equally important in these challenging times.

Dojo members, please keep an eye on your email for updates on our Zoom movement classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 PM Mountain Time.

All you you need are comfortable clothes and little room to move around. Please join us for these special instructor-led classes.

Covid-19 Update:

Albuquerque Aikikai values the safety and health of our members. In response to the spread of coronavirus in New Mexico and in keeping with guidelines from the state government, the dojo will remain closed until it is safe to reopen.

We will post updates here, on abqaikido.com, and through email. Also, please keep an eye on your email for reminders of our virtual Zoom classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Members, please remember to pay dues so that we can cover the rent and keep the dojo open. Please see your email for more information or send us a message if you have any questions.

Update: Albuquerque Aikikai will close until at least April 1. Please see our most recent post for more information.

Notice on Covid-19 Coronavirus prevention measures from Okuyama Sensei:

Students, Albuquerque Aikikai will be modifying its schedule starting March 12. We will move over to no-contact weapons-training classes from 6-7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Iaido will continue on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The 10 am Saturday class will be a mix of basic and advanced weapons training.

Beginners class students: This will be excellent time to learn the basics of bokken and jo.

Friday classes will remain at 5:30 and also switch over to basic weapons training.

We ask that anyone showing signs of illness remain home. Please be active with washing your hands and avoid touching your face. We will be stepping up dojo cleaning measures and disinfecting common surfaces.

We will continue to monitor the latest recommendations from our local health professionals and will announce any further changes to the schedule both here on Facebook and on our website.

The instructors from Front Range Aikikai visited in December. Here's some of the action!

Happy New Year! Here's morotedori shihonage from our winter demo at Albuquerque Aikikai: Aikido.

Albuquerque Aikikai has a new beginners class starting on Tuesday, Feb. 4! Come learn the basics of Aikido for the first time, or come and refresh your skills if you've been away from the mat.

The $100 fee includes a training uniform and two months of lessons on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.