People come to aikido for many reasons. Some want to improve their physical fitness, coordination and flexibility; others want to find a spiritual and physical balance; still others are seeking a martial practice that includes weapons and other training. At Brooklyn Aikikai, students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. There is no wrong time to begin aikido. One needs an open spirit and a desire to work hard. Your skill level in another sport or activity will not necessarily help you with this unique martial practice. Although your fitness will improve, aikido is not about strength, nor is it competitive. Students of all ages and experience train together on the mat and learn from each other. As a new practitioner, your first three months of training will be exciting, challenging, and sometimes daunting. A ranking student, or the head instructor, will work with you personally during your first few classes until you have accomplished some of the basic skills necessary for your safety. Only half of aikido is applying a technique – the other half is protecting yourself and falling safely. Learning how to fall and roll is the essential first step of aikido. You may find, after your first class, that you've used muscle sets you had no idea you had. You will feel it and this is normal. Aikido takes time. You cannot expect to become a master overnight! At Brooklyn Aikikai, we ask you to watch a class before signing up. Once you decide to begin training, you are asked to sign up for three months to be comfortable with the basics. The more you train, the faster you will gain fitness, awareness, and confidence. New students should plan on that in order to progress. Beginners are welcome at any aikido class. If aikido seems difficult at first, one of the attractions of the practice is that it is always challenging: even aikidoka who have practiced for thirty years find something to learn and improve in every practice.​ One important thing to remember when you are training on the mat is that the movements are not the only lesson to learn. How you train and the commitment you bring to it, is very important. We train with a partner in order to learn how to feel and respond to each other's energy. Respect for your teachers, your partners, and yourself, is very important in aikido. Bring a courageous and bold spirit to the dojo. The nature of this training is difficult, and one must persist. Push forward! Welcome.