Castle Rock AIKIDO DISTANCE LEARNING (DL) FAQS
What is the Virtual DOJO?
The Virtual DOJO is the distance-learning component for Castle Rock AIKIDO, an over 17-year-old, multi-award-winning AIKIDO school near Denver, Colorado USA. The Virtual DOJO is for those interested in learning AIKIDO directly from Castle Rock AIKIDO, but do not live within a reasonable commuting distance of the physical location.Are classes broadcast “live”?
No. Classes are pre-recorded. With the goal of having students from all over the world, “live” classes prove themselves to be problematic. Pre-recorded instructional videos and classes make virtual learning much easier than having to rely on “live” broadcast technologies and their inherent challenges.How do I attend AIKIDO “classes”?
Presently, all instruction is by pre-recorded video accessed through our website www.CRAIKIDO.com. Videos range from as little as 1 min to 1 hour in length and cover all topics of training including, but not limited to: philosophy, psychology, exercises, etiquette, drills, techniques, weapons curriculum, and training in full classroom environments.At times, Castle Rock AIKIDO may offer a live video streaming component, so that more interaction can occur with DL students. However, this was attempted in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic with limited success. So, for now, we are sticking to pre-recorded material.
Classes are taught in the English language only.Where do I train?
That is entirely up to you. We recommend an area at least 12 feet by 12 feet, preferably with high ceilings such as a gymnasium, fitness club exercise room, large garage, high-ceilinged basement, living room or even outdoors. Students will also need floor mats (like wrestling mats) contiguously covering the training area as much falling and rolling is required. One clever student negotiated the use of another martial art schools’ training space during non-business hours.Students should set up their viewing equipment in their area of training. Students choose both the content and the pace at which they wish to learn and may train as often or as little as they would like at any time/place that is convenient for them.
Who may join the Distance Learning program (DL)?
English-speaking adults (18+) expressing the right intentions, attitudes and expectations may apply to join the DL program. Not everyone is a good candidate. An interview by telephone with the instructor is required prior to joining the DL program. Don’t worry. He’s niceHow do I join the DL program?
You must be invited by the instructor to join the DL program subsequent to an interview by telephone. You cannot just anonymously “sign up” online. This is a real program. The instructor is looking for students who are serious about learning the art of AIKIDO and are willing to endure the challenges of learning from at a distance.What kind of relationship will I have to the instructor(s)?
You will be entering into a student-teacher relationship, not a customer-business relationship. Being a “student” is not the same thing as being a “customer”. Students have responsibilities that are not expected of customers; and customers often have expectations that are not appropriate of students. Ultimately, you are a student of the DL program at the pleasure of the instructor.Should, at some point, the instructor determine that the student is no longer a good fit for the program, he may elect to end the student’s membership.
Please be cognizant of this relationship dynamic before joining the program.How much access will I have to the instructor(s)?
A considerable amount. You may email the instructor with any “reasonable” number of questions at any time. You may send the instructor short videos via email or text message of you practicing AIKIDO techniques or exercises for him to critique. He will respond to your inquiries in a “reasonable” amount of time. You may also have a “reasonable” amount of telephone access to him, at times convenient to both parties.Furthermore, should “live” events be broadcast, you would also have real-time access to the instructor.
Generally, the instructor would like to hear from you regularly – even if only to check in. Two or three times each month would healthy. More or less often is fine, too. This is just a recommendation.Are there any drawbacks to being a DL student?
You bet. Distance Learning is absolutely more challenging than in-person training; and it will require additional patience from the DL student. Our DL program is an on-going experiment – the first of its kind, to our knowledge.Learning AIKIDO is best and easiest learned when you can physically “feel” the techniques performed on you by your instructor or fellow students. This, of course, is not possible with remote learning. So, DL students will be required to be patient and tolerant of inherent challenges and limitations of learning from afar, including technology challenges.
Are there any unique benefits to being a DL student?
Yes. DL students do not have some of the inconveniences of in-house students such as managing traffic and inclement weather. DL students also do not have to attend classes only at designated times.Are there any financial guarantees or money back offers?
No. The Virtual DOJO is an experiment and will be constantly evolving. It will require patience on the part of the student. There will be learning challenges and technology glitches while learning AIKIDO remotely. If you are unsatisfied with the Virtual DOJO, you may quit in accordance with the Student Financial Policies of the program, but there are no refunds or guarantees.How often should I train?
We recommend no less than 2-3 times per week, but that is entirely up to you. The more frequently you train, the faster you will learn AIKIDO. Repetition is, after all, the mother of all skill. Some videos are long. Many are quite short. Most are between 7 and 15 minutes. Therefore, studying at least one video every day would be easily digestible for most.Is there an order to the curriculum?
Yes. The curriculum has a generally recommended “order”; however, just as with in-person learning at Castle Rock AIKIDO, there is also tremendous flexibility in the curriculum. Students may choose, to a large extent, their sequence of skill acquisition based, in part, on their innate aptitudes and challenges. Your instruction will communicate the curriculum order to you according to your skills/needs.How often is new content added to the Virtual DOJO?
New content is added quite regularly and is easily identifiable. It is common for new content to be added monthly. Currently, there are over 120 videos on the Virtual DOJO. In other words, there is no shortage of study material. Most students find the current quantity of material on the Virtual DOJO vast.You will be notified of new content added to the Virtual DOJO via email.
What else will I need to learn AIKIDO in the DL program?
1. Training Partner (UKE)2. Training Uniform (KEIKO-GI)
3. Training Weapons (BUKI)
4. Student Handbook (TEBIKISHO)
Training Partner (UKE): This is a must. While there are many, many things you can practice by yourself, you will not be able to properly learn AIKIDO without a training partner (UKE).
Training Uniform (KEIKO-GI): It is best that you acquire a plain white or natural color JUDO uniform, but initially, any martial arts uniform would probably work fairly well. We recommend the “single-weave” JUDO uniform. “Double weave” is OK, too, but they are much thicker and heavier, which some find uncomfortable.Training Weapons (BUKI): AIKIDO uses three training weapons as tools for learning fundamental movements: a wooden practice sword (BOKKEN, pronounced ‘BŌW’-‘KEN’), a 50″ wooden staff (JO,) and wooden training knife (TANTO).
Student Handbook (TEBIKISHO): The over 60-page Castle Rock AIKIDO Student Handbook PDF will be emailed to you upon joining the DL program.How/where do I purchase an AIKIDO uniform?
If you don’t already own a white or natural, single-weave JUDO uniform, the fastest, easiest and least expensive place to purchase one is probably on Amazon.com.How/where do I purchase the training weapons?
You may purchase the training weapons (BOKKEN, JO, and TANTO) on Amazon.com. Or, Castle Rock AIKIDO can ship you their recommended “training weapons set and carrying bag”.Will I need a training partner?
Yes. This is a must. While there are many, many things you can practice by yourself, you will not be able to properly learn AIKIDO without a training partner (UKE). Both will have to pay the monthly tuition fee (if both students desire to earn rank). If only 1 person wishes to earn rank, the partner may pay the non-ranking student fee. If more than two students or a group of people in one training space wish to learn AIKIDO together and earn rank, all students are required to pay the full tuition rate.How do I earn rank?
Your instructor will inform you when you are ready to test for each rank. You must earn rank by testing in person. You cannot test over the Internet or by pre-recorded video. This is a real program, not a shady, fly-by-night mail-in certification. Therefore, some travel is required.Testing seminars are held in Castle Rock, Colorado, USA to earn rank. Students are required to pay their own travel/board expenses to attend testing events/seminars.
We are not interested in having our DL students spend their valuable time and money traveling to Colorado to test for rank, only to then not pass their test; that is why your instructor will tell you when you are ready to test for rank.How often is testing held?
Testing is held in Castle Rock, Colorado about two times per year (often around Spring and Fall). Most in-person students test only once per year.Each rank has a minimum number of training hours that must be accrued to be eligible for testing. Just like in-house students, DL students will train repeatedly with the same techniques and class videos to develop proper skills and accrue training hours.
The minimum hours required for each rank is exactly that: minimum. It is typical that students require substantially more (sometime double) than the stated minimum number of training hours to prepare for each rank. This could be even higher for DL students. Don’t let this frustrate you. It is normal. There is no race.Students keep track of their own training hours and report them to the instructor via email on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Is the earned rank real?
Of course. Ranks issued for the DL program are exactly the same ranks issued for in-house Castle Rock AIKIDO students.How long will it take me to earn a black belt?
That completely depends on you. There are six ranks under black belt. An average in-house student takes over 6 years to earn black belt (YUDANSHA). Therefore, it will likely take a DL student longer. However, a very strongly committed DL student could earn black belt in about this time. This is a program that requires real commitment. We are not an online, mail-in black belt factory. This is a real student-teacher relationship.Do I have to test for rank?
No. Many students don’t care about rank. Many people train for years and years simply because they love AIKIDO. Besides, in the real world of self-defense, no attacker cares about your rank or belt color.How much does Distance Learning cost? How do I pay?
Tuition for DL students is the same tuition rate as the in-house Castle Rock AIKIDO students. Presently that fee is $125 USD per month for the first 3 consecutive months of training. Then, we reward you for your commitment by lowering your tuition to just $99 per month for perpetuity. Students are automatically charged tuition on or near the 1st of each month via our automated credit card processing system.Domestic students (i.e., those living in the United States) may pay via automated debit card or credit card each month. Or, domestic students may pay via personal check, bank check or money order in bulk (e.g., 3 months at a time).
International students (i.e., those living outside the United States) have the option to pay via debit card (not credit card). Or, they may pay via personal check, bank check, or money order in bulk (e.g., 3 months at a time).Are there any other mandatory fees associated with the DL program, such as testing fees, belt fees, certificate fees, annual fees or association fees?
No. Just like our in-house students, the tuition is the only mandatory fee. There are no other mandatory fees for ranks under black belt.There is a one-time black belt testing fee of $150 USD paid at the time of your black belt test.
The only other fees a DL student would incur would be travel expenses related to attending a testing event or seminar in Colorado.When can I begin training?
We have open enrollment year-round. You may join at any time.May I visit Castle Rock AIKIDO if I am in Colorado?
Of course. You are a full-fledged member of the DOJO. Should you be visiting Colorado, you are welcome to attend in-person classes at Castle Rock AIKIDO at no additional charge. You can even pop in for a week, a month, or whatever. You are a member. It is your DOJO.Am I eligible to attend other in-house seminars held at Castle Rock AIKIDO?
Of course, you are a full-fledged member of the DOJO. You are welcome to attend any Castle Rock AIKIDO events and you are eligible for those in-house discounts.Can I put my membership on hold for a month or two?
No. We do not allow students to put their memberships “on hold.”You may quit and rejoin at another time, but we do not allow a “hold” membership status. Students who quit and later rejoin will start once again with the $125 fee for three consecutive months before being offered the $99 discounted “committed student” rate. “Toggling” membership on and off is not permitted.
How do I cancel my membership?
It is easy. Just carefully follow the instructions in your AIKIDO paperwork. See “financial policies” for details and instructions about cancelling your membership.More questions? Was something not addressed in this document?
Please e-mail us at: staff@CRaikido.com
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