Welcome to Aikido in the Garden

$25 General / $20 Member (per class)

Program Description

With the fresh air, splashing waterfalls and craggy pines as your classroom, enjoy the gentle and harmonious movements of aikido at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix. Aikido is a Japanese martial art form based in part on the ancient sword and staff traditions of the samurai in Japanese history. This class is the perfect way to get your body moving gently and is recommended for all ages and physiques. You will get addicted to practicing the wooden sword (bokken) and staff (jo) training forms which help you stretch the body better and more beneficially. You will see that you can move parts of the body a bit further than if you stretch unaided by this handy piece of wood!

In our Aikido classes in the Garden, you will learn the aikido way to move forward and backward with both wooden weapons as well as how to pivot and duck at the right moment. These exercises help in maintaining balance, improve mind & body awareness, and encourage correct breathing among other benefits.

You will also have the chance to explore meditation techniques that reduce stress and enhance overall calmness.

A wooden sword and staff will be supplied by Arizona Aikido for participants. Casual outdoor clothing is recommended and footwear that won’t slip off easily

April & May 2023: Every Saturday

Check-in time: 8:45 am

Program starts at 9:00 am

Your prompt arrival will ensure a more pleasurable experience not only for yourself but for the other participants as well.

The Garden is located at 1125 North 3rd Avenue, between 3rd Avenue and Latham (2 blocks North of Roosevelt). Parking is available at the garden. 

When riding the Light Rail, exit at the Central and Roosevelt stop. The Garden is located on the west side of the rail, 0.3 miles from the station; it is directly behind the Irish Cultural Center (1106 N. Central Ave, Phoenix), just north of Portland Avenue. The Garden entrance is across the parking lot at 1125 N. 3rd Avenue.