AAA and AAI provide national and international recognition and accreditation of Aikido dojo and their satellites. They provide guidance on establishing and maintaining a dojo, whether university club to professionally-run, full-time dojo. Member dojo are listed free of charge on the internationally-accessed AAA/AAI web site.
A full dojo offers an Aikido program that meets consistently at least three times per week, and has been in existence at least three years. Instruction is by shidoin and fukushidoin. An Aikido club offers an Aikido program that meets consistently at least three times per week, and has existed at least one year. Instruction again is by shidoin and fukushidoin.
Legitimacy of instructors and quality of instruction are always emphasized in the AAA and AAI. To this end, the organization has requirements for several levels of instructor certification, and provides national/international recognition of this certification. Instructor training seminars are also offered twice a year (annually on a national level in Chicago, Illinois, and alternately every other year on the East or West Coast).
Instructor levels include shihan (master instructor),shihandai (assistant shihan), sensei (teacher), shidoin (instructor), fukushidoin (assistant instructor), and jyoshu (assistant). Certification level depends on guidelines set forth in AAA/AAI policy.
National and international recognition of status as an Aikido practitioner is one of the services provided to individual members by AAA/AAI. Membership entitles the student to a membership card or yudansha booklet, in which records of the students test and certification dates, annual dues payments, and camp and seminar attendance is recorded.
AAA/AAI have established standardized requirements for kyu rank promotion tests for adults and children, and for black belt tests. The organization provides certification for successful kyu-rank promotions; dan certificates are issued by Aikido World Headquarters.
The local test committees, or Shinsa iin kai, are composed of Aikido instructors ranked sandan (third degree black belt) and above, who are elected from among the collective group of Aikido black belts present at a promotion test. The head of the Shinsa iin kai is shibucho of the area in which the test is taking place, and reports directly to the AAA/AAI National Teaching Committee.
Daily, quality instruction at an introductory or ongoing level is one of the foundations of AAA/AAI. Instructors teach six-week introductory courses designed for those who have never done martial arts before, or who have trained in other martial arts but are looking for a change. At the ongoing level, students can participate in a variety of classes, from introductory to beginner’s to mixed rank to advanced. Special classes are offered at AAA Headquarters for yudansha (black belts) and for dedicated students (uchideshi and kenshusei). Classes are designed for children, youths, or adults, and may also be run outside the dojo at, for instance, a community center, workplace, local high school or college. For more information on daily training opportunities in your area, contact the nearest AAA or AAI dojo.
To further training of Aikidoka (Aikido students) through standardized instruction and intensive, focused training, the AAA/AAI offers seminars at a variety of levels and on a variety of subjects including beginning and advanced techniques for both empty-hand and traditional weapons, tactical applications, breathe work, and therapeutic bodywork. Seminar instructors include shihan (master instructor), shihan-dai (assistant shihan), and AAA/AAI Teaching Committee members.
The AAA/AAI Training Camps are large regional gatherings of Aikido practitioners for training, black belt tests, and personal exchange. Held in different parts of the world, the AAA/AAI Camps are major opportunities for practitioners to network and improve themselves through intensive Aikido practice and when possible, through participating in on-site lodging and meals.
Consistent quality professional instruction is necessary for the long-term growth of Aikido arts. AAA and AAI offer an organized method of instruction, documented in an instructor’s manual, and promulgated through instructors’ seminars and the certification of instructor levels. AAA/AAI’s instructional program, instituted by President and Chief Instructor Shihan Fumio Toyoda, is promulgated under the guidance of Aikido Doshu M. Ueshiba’s teaching methodology, and the philosophy of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba. AAA/AAI offer its instructors’ seminars once a year in Chicago, USA, as well as at various other times and locations in the USA.
The AAA and AAI believe that professional, full-time Aikido instructors are the means by which the art will be successfully transmitted to future generations. For this reason, the Association has instituted a professional instructor training program with unique opportunities for learning teaching methodology as well as strategies for establishing and operating professional schools in today’s world. The Professional Instructor Training Program requires completion of three years as Uchideshi (live-in trainee), followed by several years of additional training working under AAA/AAI. During this time, responsibility for several satellite dojo may be given. Finally, permission to open and operate a full-time dojo under one’s own management will be given.
As mentioned above, Uchideshi are full-time, live-in trainees. Their commitment is to training 24 hours a day. The minimum term for uchideshi training is one-year, with a a three-year term being the maximum and considered the completion of the program. Prospective candidates for Uchideshi training must be recommended by their instructors.
The Kenshusei program is an intensive training program for those students who wish to deepen their training experience, but are unable to commit to the full-time schedule of the Uchideshi. Kenshusei attend special weekly training sessions with Toyoda Sensei, and also take responsibility for the organization of various projects and special events.
Opportunities to expand one’s awareness and experience, and to train in different parts of the country or with different Aikidoka, exist through AAA and AAI sponsored cultural trips and training tours. From outdoor camping/ training retreats, to visits to Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Japan, AAA and AAI sponsors a variety of educational and cultural visits in countries around the world.
AAA/AAI publishes a periodic newsletter, Aikido World, to promote communication among dojo and their members and to spread education and philosophical and academic standards in Aikido. In addition, Aikido World contains AAA Camp News which informs readers about information about AAA and AAI National and Regional Camps, the philosophy behind this type of event, reports and photos from previous events, and information on upcoming events.
AAA and AAI offer public demonstrations to educate the general public about Aikido and about the spirit of Shugyo and transcendence of life and death that Aikido embodies.
To further to training of Aikidoka though standardized instruction and intensive training, AAA and AAI offer seminars at a variety of levels and on a variety of subject including beginning and advanced taijutsu (body techniques), weapons, breathing and meditation, and therapeutic bodywork.
Items for sale by AAA/AAI include T-Shirts, caps, gear bags, weapons bags, red oak and white oak training weapons (bokken, jo, tanto, suburi bokken), manuals, and video. Visit the AAA/AAI Supply page for more information, photographs, or order form.
AAA and AAI are developing a new series of educational and instructional Aikido video tapes. Several tapes from Toyoda Shihan’s seminars are currently available. AAA/AAI also offers two training manuals, the Student Manual, and the Instructor Manual.
During times of crisis, the AAA/AAI has helped dojo navigate through difficult waters. The AAA/AAI also help advocate for dojo and bring attention of their causes to the Aikido International Foundation (AIF).
The AAA/AAI help support those dojo that are geographically isolated with instructional support to both its members and dojocho with workshops from AAA/AAI Teaching Committee Members and senior instructors.