Master the Way of the Sword
木剣 — Bokken
Five Wednesdays in September to Sharpen Focus, Timing, and Bodymind Oneness
Hillsboro, VA · Wednesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Sept 2 – Sept 30, 2026
Secure My Spot — Just $59Transform Your Daily Life
The principles learned through bokken practice extend far beyond the dojo, creating positive changes in how you approach everyday challenges.
Enhanced Focus
The concentration required for precise sword movements translates into improved focus at work, in conversations, and during daily tasks.
Better Posture & Presence
Develop natural, upright posture and a calm, centered presence that others notice in meetings, social situations, and daily interactions.
Improved Timing
Learn to sense the right moment for action, whether in business decisions, conversations, or navigating traffic — developing an intuitive sense of timing.
Stress Resilience
The mindful, meditative aspects of bokken practice help you remain calm and centered during stressful situations, responding rather than reacting.
Spatial Awareness
Develop better awareness of your surroundings and personal space, improving your confidence in crowded places and social situations.
Confident Interactions
The self-assurance gained through martial practice naturally enhances your ability to communicate clearly and stand your ground respectfully.
Is This Course for You?
This course is designed for people seeking meaningful growth through traditional martial practice. You'll find this program especially valuable if you are:
The Stressed Professional
This course is for you if… you're looking for a one-hour-per-week way to decompress from work stress while developing practical skills. The meditative quality of sword practice provides a complete mental break from daily pressures, while the physical movements help release tension and improve posture from long hours at a desk.
The Dedicated Martial Artist
This course is for you if… you want to deepen your understanding of martial principles through traditional weapons training. Whether you practice Ki-Aikido, karate, or another art, bokken training will enhance your timing, distance, and body mechanics while connecting you to the historical roots of Japanese martial arts.
The Focus Seeker
This course is for you if… you struggle with concentration and want to develop laser-like focus through disciplined practice. The precision required in sword movements naturally trains your mind to be present and attentive — skills that transfer directly to work, relationships, and personal goals.
The Personal Growth Explorer
This course is for you if… you're drawn to practices that develop both physical and mental discipline. Bokken training offers a unique path to self-improvement that combines mindfulness, physical coordination, and traditional wisdom in a supportive learning environment.
The Community Connector
This course is for you if… you want to be part of a respectful, focused community while learning something completely new. You'll train alongside like-minded individuals who value personal growth, mutual respect, and the journey of continuous learning.
The Quiet Confidence Builder
This course is for you if… you want to develop quiet confidence and inner strength. The progressive mastery of sword technique builds genuine self-assurance that comes from disciplined practice and personal achievement — not from aggression or competition.
Meet Your Instructor
Matt Doetsch-Kidder Sensei
Head Instructor & Bokken Specialist
5th Dan (Godan) Black Belt • Joden (Upper Level Bodymind Oneness "Black Belt") • Certified Ki Lecturer
With over 25 years of dedicated Ki-Aikido practice, Matt Doetsch-Kidder Sensei brings a wealth of experience and passion to bokken instruction. His journey began in 1999 at the Virginia Ki Society, and has included many intensive training retreats in Japan at the headquarters dojo.
Sensei's expertise in bokken comes from years of studying the deep connections between sword work and empty-hand Ki-Aikido techniques. He has competed internationally, earning gold and bronze medals in the 2004 International Taigi Competition alongside his partner.
"The bokken strips things down to what's essential. There's no flash, no fancy footwork — just you, the sword, and your intention. When students begin to feel that simplicity, you can see a real shift in how they carry themselves on the mat and off it."
— Matt Doetsch-Kidder Sensei
Discover the Art of Japanese Swordsmanship
The bokken (wooden sword) is more than just a training tool — it's a gateway to understanding the principles of timing, distance, and Bodymind Oneness that lie at the heart of Ki-Aikido practice.
Join us this September for five Wednesday evening sessions where you'll build a genuine foundation in suburi — solo bokken cuts practiced over and over until the movement becomes a meditation. Each week builds on the last, giving you a satisfying sense of real progression from the first cut to the last stroke of the form.
What You'll Experience
Proper Form
Learn correct posture, grip, and movement patterns that form the foundation of effective bokken practice — and the foundation of everything that comes after.
Suburi Form
Build a complete solo suburi form through patient, repeated practice — the kind of meditative, whole-body training that develops calm, rhythm, and the kind of focus that sharpens everything else you do.
Bodymind Oneness
Experience how bokken practice enhances your awareness, timing, and ability to extend Ki in all directions — and how it transfers directly back to your empty-hand practice.
A Structured Path Through Five Weeks
Each Wednesday builds upon the previous one, allowing you to progressively develop your skills from basic movements to more complex patterns and applications. By the end of the five weeks, you'll have a solid foundation in bokken practice that will continue to inform and enhance your Ki-Aikido training for years to come.
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Week 1 — Wed, Sept 2 Fundamentals of Bodymind Oneness: posture, relaxation, the One Point, and integrating them before picking up a sword.
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Week 2 — Wed, Sept 9 Fundamentals of Bokken with Bodymind Oneness: grip, basic cuts, and moving as one with the sword.
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Week 3 — Wed, Sept 16 Building the suburi form: adding new solo cuts to the set and finding calm, repeatable rhythm in each stroke.
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Week 4 — Wed, Sept 23 Refining the form: bringing Bodymind Oneness into every part of the cut — no tension, no hurry, just clear continuous Ki.
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Week 5 — Wed, Sept 30 Flowing the full suburi form: putting the whole five weeks together, repeating the form with the kind of ease that comes from quiet, dedicated practice.
Your Questions Answered
Do I need prior Ki-Aikido experience?
While some Ki-Aikido experience is helpful, this course is designed to be accessible to students with at least 3 months of training. The principles taught will benefit practitioners at all levels, and Sensei will offer modifications as needed.
Do I need to bring my own bokken?
The dojo has practice bokken available for use during the course. If you already have your own bokken, you're welcome to bring it. We'll also provide guidance on purchasing a quality bokken if you'd like to continue practice at home between sessions — and after the course ends.
What should I wear?
Please wear your regular keiko-gi. If you're newer to Ki-Aikido, comfortable exercise clothing is fine — sweatpants and a t-shirt work great. We practice barefoot, so no special footwear is needed.
How physically demanding is the course?
The course is moderately physical. We focus on proper form rather than strength or endurance, and we emphasize Ki extension over muscle. Each session includes appropriate warm-ups, and the pace is accessible to a wide range of fitness levels.
What if I miss a session?
Life happens. If you miss a session, Sensei will help you catch up at the start of the following class. Because each week builds on the last, consistent attendance will give you the best experience — but a missed class won't leave you stranded.
What does the course cost?
The full five-week course is just $59, covering all five Wednesday sessions. The bokken is provided at the dojo, so there's nothing else to buy to participate.
Five Wednesdays. One Sharp September.
⚠️ Only 7 spots available to ensure personalized instruction from Doetsch-Kidder Sensei.
🗡 Course Begins Wednesday, September 2nd
Five Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
until your first class
Course Details
Duration: 5 Weeks — Wednesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026
Schedule: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Loudoun Valley Ki Aikido, Hillsboro Old Stone School
37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA 20132
Investment: $59 (bokken provided at the dojo)
Give It a Real Try — Risk-Free
Come to the first session. If bokken practice isn't what you expected, just let us know after class and we'll refund your full $59. No questions asked.
Questions? Reach us at hello@loudounaikido.com