Heaven and Earth Aikido Fees and a Note

Dojo-cho Note: The dojo is a labor of love. No one receives any compensation in the dojo, with fees going to keep lights on, rent paid and funding needs. For myself, Gayer Sensei, and all the instructors, we do this following the Founder's example: in service to others. Our job is to open a door to students learning, growing stronger, becoming better, deeper people. Our moral responsibility is to ensure that each of you can reasonably defend yourself if physically attacked, but life has many challenges- first ones spiritual, second mental, last and rarely, physical.

Thank you all again who support the dojo. "Aikido is something special." From when I first once saw Aikido as a child in Japan, my father told me this. Today, now far down the path, I know this to be a deep truth. Thank you for your help continuing this special thing in the world.

Sincerely,

Brian Ericksen

Dojo-cho

Heaven and Earth Aikido

As a Heaven & Earth Aikido student, you become a member of a community of aikido practitioners recognized across USAF dojos and by hombu dojo in Japan. Our school and our ranked students are recognized by Japan through our affiliation with the United States Aikido Federation (USAF), which was established by and is run by Yoshimitsu Yamada, a direct student of Aikido’s founder.

Our affiliation with USAF is maintained through our teaching approach, curriculum, seminar participation, and dues that are paid each year. Each HEA student that attains kyu rank must pay an annual membership due to USAF to maintain their rank recognition. These fees are collected by HEA and paid to USAF in December or January of each year.

For those interested in teaching aikido, once you have been certified by USAF as a fukushidoin (assistant instructor), shidoin (instructor), or shihan (senior/master instructor), you must pay dues to also maintain your annual teacher status. 

When you join HEA as a registered ongoing student, you can expect the following fees:

Registration Fee: This one-time fee is applicable to each individual enrolling as an ongoing student. As a registered student, you receive an HEA patch and moral code card. In addition, it covers student records setup in HEA and USAF systems. $70 students / $90 adults.

Monthly Membership Rate: This monthly fee enables us to pay for our training space, utilities, supplies, and training equipment refresh. $120 students / $140 adults. Discounts apply for active first responders and teachers. 

Test Fees: This fee, payable prior to each test, covers testing and administrative fees associated with registering and recognizing your new rank. $65 kyu ranks / $300 shodan. 

Periodic Seminar Fees: When you attend an HEA or other aikido seminar (required twice yearly at shodan and higher), you can expect a daily or multi-day fee to participate. Typically ranging from $40 - $80 for a day.

USAF Membership Fee: This annual fee is collected by HEA and paid to USAF to maintain your USAF affiliation and recognition of rank. $65/year. 

USAF Instructor Recertification Fee: This annual fee is applicable to instructors to maintain recognition of their teaching certification. $45 fukushidoin, $60 shidoin initial fee / $35 fukushidoin/$50 renewal. 

Visitors: anyone visiting from another dojo may pay a $20 mat fee that is good for one or two classes. A mat fee may be paid three times and then the person will be asked to pay a monthly fee from which paid mat fees will be deducted. 

New Members: possible new members may try a class by paying a $20 fee and signing the hold harmless. If the person joins the dojo, the mat fee goes toward their membership. New members may join with a $199 Introductory Special. This includes a uniform, 6 weeks of classes, and no registration fee. If a person joins, they pay the registration fee that goes to USAF and the dojo, receiving a dojo patch and a copy of the Aikido Moral Code. 

Your investment ensures that you receive the highest level of instruction through our certified teaching staff. In addition, our seminars and trips to the USAF headquarters in New York City give you access to senior instructors, each with decades of experience. You become part of a community and a network of dojos across the United States where you can train in familiar, friendly, and authentic aikido.

As a recognized member of USAF, you join a community of thousands in the USA who are rooted in a common system of traditional aikido and a worldwide community with a common lineage to the founder’s teachings maintained at Hombu dojo in Japan. 

__________________________________________

Dojo Fees

Monthly Membership Rate:                         $120 students/ $140 adults

Initial Registration Fee:         $70 students/ $90 adults

Test Fees:                                      $65 kyu ranks/$300 shodan

USAF Membership Fee:            $65/year 

Gi (practice uniform) $90 adults/ $70 kids

New Member Introductory Special:                  $199

Mat Fee/ Trial Class:       $20

HEA Patch: $15

Lifetime Membership: Please speak to Dojo-cho