Thank you and happy new year

Dear friends and fellows,

another Aikido year is drawing to a close. And a new one is just around the corner. We had over 90 training sessions last year, both indoors and outdoors – roughly speaking, we spent over 200 hours together on the mat and on the field. And the website also peaked frequently, as you can see here.

The dojo was always very well attended this year in particular, and it got really crowded on 16 October when there were thirteen of us on the mat. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one of you once again for your focused participation in training, your dedication for Aikido and for growing together.

I am very much looking forward to the new year with you all and to walking another part of the path with you.
We will see each other again on Monday, 8 January 2024, and we will celebrate our New Year’s ceremony (kagami biraki) together on 15 January.

I hope you have a happy New Year’s Eve and wish you all a Happy New Year.

Thank you very much.
どうもありがとうございます
Your dojo-cho, Fritz.

How and where to find my first Aikido Dogi

Regarding the Aikido training suit, called dogi (道着) or keikogi (稽古着) or simply gi (着) for short, there are basically these options, I can suggest:

• The best one – but it takes a little longer and is a bit more expensive – is the so called Seido Shop in Japan:
  The quality is very good and the products are „Made in Japan“. You have to measure yourself to choose the correct size. The instructions and size charts on the website there are very useful. E.g. this model is of proper quality and good for years of training. Please pay attention: the belt has to be ordered separately here.
  
• A quicker possibility is to go to the Fighters World Shop in Vienna (you can also order online, but it is better to go there). The shop is located here.
  There you just have to say that you need a training suit for Aikido and they will find the right size for you. The suits shrink a bit the first time they are washed. My advice: Don’t take the cheapest dogi. There is one in the range of about 85 euros including jacket, pants and belt which is of acceptable quality. Please note: There shouldn’t be any prints on it (but they usually know that anyway).
  
• A third dealer, also very well known for high quality budo equipment, is Tozando. They have a wide range of Aikido suits and other budo gear. The only „disadvantage“: some things are meanwhile produced in China.

• And you can also check for second hand Judo-/Aikido suits on willhaben.at for example. There you can often find used Gi’s in good condition (it should be white, including a white belt, not to small and without any imprints; Karate suits are not suitable). I advise you to try it on before buying in any case.

Later, if you consider buying a hakama (袴) or wooden weapons set, I’d definitely choose one of the Japanese stores to get the best quality and most authentic gear. Our dojo also offers weapons for beginners/kids that can be acquired for a good price.

If you have any further questions or need any advice, please ask me before buying 🙂

Aikido for kids and some older „kids“

Since the new semester has started we again have a small bunch of new students at our dojo. Csenge, Connor, Aurin, Patrick and Raphael are regularly taking part in our training on Mondays – always together with our little older participants.

However, the training procedure for the whole group is the same – following the teachings of Aikido as being suitable for everyone. So let us grow together …

See you on the mats.
F.S.

Training paused because of 2nd lockdown

Due to the second lockdown in Austria, no training will take place at our dojo/gym during November. Hopefully we will meet again on December, 3rd, at the gym. 🥺.

Back on the mats

Yesterday we met for our first training in our schools gym/dojo after summer holidays and the lockdown. We cleaned and disinfected twice the mats, which we will repeat before every class during this period.

You can find us here:

• Krottenbachstraße

We provide hand sanitizer and masks as well and we will act as responsible as possible to keep going this years training routine on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays (occasionally).

Besides that: We are just happy to be back walking on the path of Aiki together …