Summer of Jo

Nine Weeks to Master the Way of the Staff — Focus, Flow, and Bodymind Oneness

Wednesdays, 7pm - 8pm, June 3 - July 29, 2026

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Transform Your Daily Life

The principles learned through jo practice extend far beyond the dojo, creating positive changes in how you approach everyday challenges.

Enhanced Focus

The precision required to control a 50-inch staff trains your mind to stay fully present, translating into sharper concentration at work and in daily tasks.

Better Posture & Presence

Jo training develops a naturally upright, grounded posture and a calm, centered presence that others notice in meetings, social situations, and daily life.

Improved Timing

The flowing sequences of jo suburi train your body to sense the right moment for each movement — a sensitivity that transfers directly to conversations, decisions, and everyday interactions.

Stress Resilience

The flowing, meditative quality of jo suburi provides a complete mental reset, helping you stay calm and respond — rather than react — when stress arises.

Spatial Awareness

Working with a long staff naturally expands your awareness of space and surroundings, building confidence and ease in crowded or unfamiliar environments.

Confident Interactions

The quiet self-assurance earned through disciplined jo practice gives you a solid inner foundation for clear, respectful communication with others.

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Who Is This For?

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 want a summer practice that genuinely clears your head. The flowing, rhythmic nature of jo suburi provides a complete break from screens and decisions, while building physical coordination and calm focus you can carry back into the workweek.

The Dedicated Martial Artist

This course is for you if... you want to deepen your Ki-Aikido through weapons training. Jo work illuminates the principles of distance, timing, and extension that underlie every empty-hand technique, giving your practice a new dimension of understanding.

The Precision Seeker

This course is for you if... you are drawn to the elegance of working with a traditional weapon. The jo demands careful attention to angle, distance, and flow — rewarding those who love the satisfaction of refining a complex physical skill.

The Personal Growth Explorer

This course is for you if... you want a summer practice that develops both body and mind. Nine weeks of progressive jo training builds genuine competence, and the satisfaction of mastering something genuinely difficult carries over into every area of life.

The Community Connector

This course is for you if... you want to share a focused, respectful training experience with others. Training alongside fellow students who share the same commitment to growth creates a quiet camaraderie that makes showing up each week something to look forward to.

The Confidence Builder

This course is for you if... you want to develop quiet, grounded confidence. The progressive mastery of jo technique builds real self-assurance — the kind that comes from disciplined practice, not performance or competition.

Meet Your Instructor

Matt Doetsch-Kidder Sensei

Head Instructor & Jo 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 jo 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 jo training comes from years of exploring the deep connections between staff work and the fundamental principles of Ki-Aikido — extension, unity, and Bodymind Oneness. He has competed internationally, earning gold and bronze medals in the 2004 International Taigi Competition alongside his partner.

Discover the Ancient Art of the Japanese Staff

The jo (wooden staff) is one of the most elegant and expressive weapons in the Japanese martial tradition. At roughly 50 inches in length, it embodies the principles of extension, center, and fluid adaptability that lie at the heart of Ki-Aikido practice.

Join us this summer for nine Wednesday evening sessions where you'll build a genuine foundation in jo technique — from basic suburi through classical kata and Ki extension exercises. Each week builds on the last, giving you a satisfying sense of real progression over the course of the summer.

What You'll Experience

Jo Suburi

Learn the fundamental solo strikes, thrusts, and sweeps that form the foundation of all jo practice — and develop the flow and precision to perform them with Bodymind Oneness.

Classical Kata

Learn traditional jo sequences that develop fluidity, timing, and spatial awareness — building the kind of whole-body coordination that only comes from repeating a well-designed form.

Bodymind Oneness

Experience how jo training deepens your Ki awareness, centering, and the ability to extend energy through the full length of the staff and beyond.

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A Structured Path Through Nine Weeks

Our summer program offers a systematic approach to jo training that takes you from the very basics to a genuine working knowledge of classical staff technique — all in the space of a summer.

Each session builds upon the previous one, so you arrive each Wednesday with a clear sense of what you already know and what you're reaching toward next. There's no rushing and no falling behind — the course moves as a group.

You'll receive personalized guidance from an experienced instructor who will help you refine your form, deepen your understanding of the underlying principles, and troubleshoot whatever challenges come up along the way.

By the end of the summer, you'll have a solid foundation in jo practice — and a new set of tools for extending Ki, developing presence, and deepening your Ki-Aikido for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 jo?

The dojo has practice jo available for use during the course. If you already have your own jo, you're welcome to bring it. We'll also provide guidance on purchasing a quality jo if you'd like to practice at home between sessions.

What should I wear?

Please wear your regular keiko-gi. If you're newer to Ki-Aikido, comfortable exercise clothing is fine.

How physically demanding is the course?

The course is moderately physical. We emphasize proper form, flow, and Ki extension rather than strength or endurance. 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.

Make This a Summer Worth Remembering

⚠️ Only 8 spots available to ensure personalized instruction from Doetsch-Kidder Sensei.

🎯 Early Bird Special — Save $26!

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Course Details

Dates: June 3 – July 29, 2026 (nine Wednesdays)

Time: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Loudoun Valley Ki-Aikido Dojo, Hillsboro Old Stone School

Regular Price: $125 | Early Bird (by May 31): $99

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