A Different Kind of Year
The Aikido Intensive is a 12-month cohort program for students who want to go deep. We run two tracks side by side: Year 1 for relatively new students, and Year 2 for students who already hold, or will soon hold, 3rd kyu. Both tracks build a daily home practice and train in a small peer group, working the same material all year.
Two Tracks
Two ways in, depending on where you are.
Year 1: Foundations
5th kyu to 3rd kyu
For students who are relatively new to Ki Aikido. You build the full set of techniques for those ranks through three lenses: Clarity, Rhythm, and Control, then integrate them in the final quarter.
Qualification: A committed beginner, little or no rank.
Year 2: Depth
3rd kyu to 2nd kyu
For students who already hold, or will soon hold, 3rd kyu. You add a fourth lens, Power, study the taigi forms, and begin a teaching apprenticeship.
Qualification: Already hold 3rd kyu, or will soon hold it.
Year 1 at a Glance
Each quarter adds a lens and a rank milestone. The fourth quarter is where all three come together.
Quarter 1
Clarity
Shokyu + 5th kyu
Quarter 2
Rhythm
4th kyu
Quarter 3
Control
Chukyu
Quarter 4
Integration
3rd kyu
Instead of racing through new material, Year 1 returns to the full set of techniques for those ranks again and again, through three lenses.
Clarity
"Where is your mind?" Name the technique, show its shape and footwork, keep your posture, eye-line, and distance.
Rhythm
"What is the rhythm?" Blend at first touch, no collision, move on your partner's timing before redirecting.
Control
"Is the slack out?" A continuous line of Ki from entry to pin, no dead space, no dropped connection.
Year 2 at a Glance
Year 2 adds a fourth lens, Power, plus the taigi forms and a teaching apprenticeship.
Quarter 1
New arts + Kitei Taigi
Quarter 2
Control + Taigi #1-4
Quarter 3
Power + Taigi #5-9
Quarter 4
2nd kyu test + capstone
Power
"Beginnings of power." Every movement begins at the one-point, not the shoulders or hands. Clarity, rhythm, and control, all three at once.
Taigi
Balance, rhythm, largeness. Set forms that flow in their own time and fill the space. Nothing rushed, nothing cramped.
Leading
The teaching apprenticeship. Lead warm-ups, teach foundational techniques, and run a segment of class. You learn to teach what you know.
What It Asks of You
This is a committed, full-year program, not a drop-in. Here's the shape of it.
- Mat training: about five hours a week, plus a half-day kickoff workshop each quarter.
- Daily home practice: building toward an hour a day of breathing, solo forms, shadow practice, and reading.
- Accountability: a short daily log and a monthly 30-minute one-on-one check-in.
- Cohort: a small, tight group that checks in on each other.
Not Sure Where You Fit?
If you're brand new to Ki Aikido, start with our free intro class, then we'll help you find the right track. Year 1 is for relatively new students; Year 2 is for students who already hold, or will soon hold, 3rd kyu.
How Enrollment Works
Enrollment is by application, not open sign-up: a short written questionnaire and conversation, followed by an invitation. This keeps the group small and committed. Tuition and schedule details are shared during the application process.
Interested? Email us and we'll send the details and the application.
Express Interest