You’ll be challenged to expand your capabilities, but gradually and safely, and never in a way for which you don’t feel ready.Īnother thing you won’t be asked to do is sign a membership contract. Regardless of which art you choose, you’ll be guided very carefully by expert instructors as you grow accustomed to the training and build the requisite level of fitness and flexibility. And all of the arts are a great deal of fun. There are men, women, and teens training in each of the three arts.

If you are primarily looking for a more introspective and spiritual form of classical swordsmanship that still provides good exercise and a very high degree of physical and mental integration, iaido is recommended.Īs far as basic body mechanics and core principles are concerned, the arts are very closely related and highly complementary.

If you have an interest in very combative and aggressive, classical swordsmanship and the actual training methods of the samurai, and are not as concerned with unarmed self-defense, kenjutsu might be the best fit.

If you’re looking for vigorous, almost acrobatic exercise in an art that is exceptionally challenging, practical unarmed self-defense, and a tactical/philosophical foundation equaling that of the swordsmanship from which it derives, aikijutsu would be a good choice.

How does a potential student choose the initial art he or she would like to study? The decision must be based on personal preference. Although many members of the dojo eventually train in more than one art-and there is no additional cost to do so, other than the expense of different uniforms and equipment-we require new members choose just one art to start with.

Building fitness and strength, socializing with a diverse and exceptional group of like-minded individuals, and a learning environment designed to engender intellectual and spiritual insights-budo provides all this and more.Īt Itten Dojo you’ll have access to a variety of Japanese arts, a selection unmatched in this area. Budo offers adults and teens today a compelling alternative to the latest fitness fad or self-improvement regimen, an alternative that has remained fresh and viable for literally hundreds of years.

And it only gets better from there.Ĭollectively, the traditional arts are referred to as budo (martials Ways)-warrior arts that continue methods of training dating back prior to the dissolution of the samurai and the beginning of the modern era in Japan.

You’ll already be someone out of the ordinary. What you’ll have done, in fact, by deciding to train in traditional, Japanese martial arts, is to start on a journey very few other people in the world even attempt. When you step into the dojo for your first practice, you’ll likely be feeling equal parts nervous and excited.

Samurai iaido stance