Here are some Helpful Basics before your first day.

When to Arrive

Please arrive 10 minutes before your first session, and please be at least 5 minutes early to all sessions thereafter. This will help you and other participants to better settle into the experience. Please be early.

If you need parking, we have an on-premise parking lot with signs marked ‘Alexandria Zen Center’. Simply move the orange cones aside and park in one of our spots.

What to Wear

Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move freely in, like a t-shirt or sweatshirt with yoga or gym pants. Long sleeves t-shirts are better than short sleeves. Please wear pants, not shorts or skirts.

Feel free to use our changing rooms before or after the session.

What to Expect

Everything about this first experience will be achievable and empowering. Our community is welcoming, friendly, and supportive of every beginner.

Every class begins with stretching. This is to prepare and stay safe during this new activity.

We then cover basic body movements that will piece together a technique. This will happen at a pace that is helpful, meaning it will be challenging but stay just within your comfort zone. As the technique unfolds, you will begin to discover how fun Aikido can be.

How to Continue

After your first Aikido experience, you can bring your practice to a more advanced level within our community. We offer several membership packages to choose from, including an Introductory Package, a 3-Classes/Week Package, and an Unlimited Aikido Package. You get to choose your class schedule each week and we have an abundant class schedule to choose from, morning, noon, and night. New members can also buy a Gi (uniform) in our online shop!

We look Forward to Meeting You!

We love questions! Please feel free to email us!