How to start:

1. Schedule a dojo visit and observe a class. There’s no pressure to join - it’s just a friendly visit.

2. If you’ve decided you want to practice, register online at least 24-48 hours before your first class. You’ll receive information by email to help you prepare for your first class.

3. Arrive at the dojo about 15 minutes before class time. A current member will help you every step of the way.

Ready to register? Please go to the page: Register Now.

Becoming a Member

The dojo is more than a just place to learn self defense, get in shape, or spend time after work; it's a community of people studying a traditional art form in a sacred space. We work together so we can be more engaged, polished, and awake. It's a place where we refine our character, perfect our form, and shed our ego; a forge if you will. However, instead of heating metals, we are heating up our human potential. 

You will see people training intensely. You will also see people smiling. We'd like to welcome you to the Multnomah Aikikai community.

Registration Fee:

New members pay an initial registration fee along with their first month's dues payment. The fee is $50 for adults and teens; $25 for children aged 12 and under.

Monthly Membership Rates:

• Children (Ages 7-12), two classes per week, $65/ month

• Teens (Ages 13-17), unlimited Aikido classes, $79/ month

• Regular Adult Membership, unlimited Aikido classes (and eligible to apply for Iaido), $129/ month

• Iaido only training (without aikido), one class per week, $75/ month

• Community Membership (for a non-training dojo member), $20/ month

Note: All membership accounts go on auto pay by default. Changes to payment type are self service, please contact us to cancel your account, and don’t hesitate to come to us with any questions you have. Detailed Dues Policies are given further down this page.

For established members under financial strain:

Our dojo is not run for profit. Monthly dues simply support the continued existence of the dojo as a place to train. For this reason, established members generally do not seek out discounts, but choose to pay the regular fees as an act of gratitude and continued support to the dojo.

When a member comes under financial strain to support the dojo at the regular rate, we strive to find a pathway forward where they can continue their training uninterrupted. The following options are available and serve as a starting point for creating a path to continue training.

• Family Discount : Two or more members from the same household (eg. couples, parent/child, siblings) may receive a 20% discount on their total monthly membership fees. Regular adult, teen, and children memberships eligible.

• Hardship Rates / Work Study: For individuals who are dedicated to training but for whom the regular monthly fees are a barrier. This is often paired with work study tasks, by arrangement with our instructors.

• Community Membership option: Stay connected, as part of our dojo community, even when you are not actively training.
  

Contact the dojo to discuss options for maintaining your practice even through financially tough times.

Birankai Annual Fee:

Our dojo is affiliated with Birankai North America. Regular members pay an annual fee that we forward to our parent organization. The Birankai Annual Fee is $50. Initial payment is due after 6 months of dojo membership or upon the first adult test for kyu rank, whichever comes first, and then annually thereafter. This fee is waived for children.

Visiting Aikido practitioners:

Mat Fee, suggested contribution, $25 per day
Members of Aikido dojos across the globe are welcome to train with us regardless of affiliation. When planning a visit, it is traditional to bring a letter of introduction from your home instructor and offer a mat fee each day when visiting a dojo. If you will be able to join class for more than just a few days, please let us know!

 Membership Dues Policies

While many martial arts schools require their members to sign contracts obligating them to pay membership dues for a specific period of time, Multnomah Aikikai does not wish to impose this burden on its members. Membership, therefore, is considered to be on a month-to-month basis. However, in order that the dojo, like any other business, may effectively budget for its monthly expenses, we require that members, as a matter of courtesy and necessity, keep us apprised of any changes in their membership status. Towards this end, we have implemented the following policy.

Monthly Dues

1. The purpose of monthly membership dues has always been, and continues to be, to support the continued existence of the dojo as a place to train in Aikido. Senior members lead classes on a volunteer basis. Dues are not payment for lessons or classes on an hourly, daily or weekly basis.

2. Monthly membership dues apply to a single calendar month. The dues for each month are paid on the first day of the month. There is an option for established members to pay on a quarterly basis. Dues payments are not refundable. We thank you for your understanding and financial support of the dojo in its mission.

3. Members pay their dues through our online system (Zen Planner). As part of new member registration, a student selects a credit card or bank account to use for monthly automatic payments to be drawn on the first of the month. If registering mid-month, dues for the rest of that month are pro-rated.

4. Students who anticipate having difficulty paying monthly dues should communicate with the dojo treasurer and online administrator about making an arrangement at least 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THE 1st. Communicate through the dojo email address. We will make every effort to prevent any interruption in your training.

5. In case of disruption of payment schedule, without prior communication, a late payment fee or re-join fee will be assessed.

6. If you would like to change your membership category, contact the online administrator at least 10 days prior to the first of the month through the dojo email address.

Annual Birankai Fee

1. Anyone training in the adult aikido program (adult or teen), who has been a dojo member for at least 6 months, or who has tested for rank, must register with our dojo's parent organization, Birankai North America. The dojo will forward these fees on to Birankai.

2. The Birankai annual fee is $50 for most students and is payable annually. The dojo Membership Coordinator will send notice and instructions to all members ahead of the due date.

New Students

1. The first monthly dues payment for new students joining mid month will be prorated.

2. New students are assessed the registration fee as follows:

   • New students pay a registration fee with their first regular monthly dues payment. The registration fee is $50 for adults and teenagers, and $25 for children aged 12 and under.

   • Participants of promotional class series or introductory specials do not need to pay the dojo registration fee until they become a Regular Member.

Taking a break from active training

Occasionally members find they need to take a break from regular training. Whether this decision is due to health reasons, travel or opportunity, we ask that you communicate your plans and manage your membership status. The proper channel for communication is the dojo email address: dojo@multnomahaikikai.com. 

When you need to take a break from practice, you have three options:

• Maintain your regular membership dues as continuing support of the dojo.

• Disconnect from the dojo and stop paying dues entirely. If you choose to return to training in the future you will join as a new member and pay the registration fee. For returning children, the registration fee will be waived if you notify the children's instructors in writing before taking the break from training.

• Shift to Community Membership and pay $20 per month. You remain part of the dojo community as a non-training member. When and if you return to training, resume Regular Membership and step on the mat for class. Community Members receive dojo email messages and are invited to participate in dojo social activities. Community Members also maintain access to our Dojo Online portal of learning resources.

All questions regarding your membership should be sent to the dojo email address: dojo@multnomahaikikai.com.