Briefly in English

Aalto Aikikai in Nutshell

Aalto Aikikai is the aikido club of Aalto University. The club is one of the sports associations of AYY, Aalto University Student Union, as well as a member club of Finland Aikikai, the Finnish Aikido Federation. We train all year round in Otaniemi on the main campus of Aalto University.

Aikido belongs to the family of modern martial arts developed in Japan in the 20th century. It emphasizes non-violent approach to self-defence. The aim in aikido techniques is to protect oneself from an attack without causing the attacker any severe injury. There is no competition in aikido and only victories are taken over oneself.

Trainings

We practice in Otaniemi campus, in Jämeräntaival 5 A tatami hall. The training schedule for fall 2025 is:

Tuesdays 17:30 - 19:00 - instructed training in Otaniemi

Thursdays 17:00 - 19:00 - free practice in Otaniemi (note, no showering possibility after practice)

Please ask the board for the door code if you intend to go to the free practice session!

Exceptions to the schedule: -

Note! The beginner's course of fall 2025 is organized in collaboration with Seitokai in Porthania (see details and separate schedule below).

Joining the Club

As Aalto Aikikai is affiliated with Aalto University student union (AYY) and our space reservations are dependent on having certain percentage of AYY members, it is required that our beginners are members of AYY. If you have previous Aikido background and know how to do ukemi well, it is possible to join the trainings at any time. However, please inform the board about this first, aaltoaikikai-hallitus[ät]googlegroups.com

The beginner's course of fall 2025 is organized in collaboration with Seitokai, the aikido club of University of Helsinki. No registration for the course is needed, just show up for the first training on Monday 15.9.2025 at 17:00. If you cannot make it to the first practice, it is still possible to join during the first two weeks of the beginner's course.

The beginner's course trainings are held in the Porthania building of the University of Helsinki (Yliopistonkatu 3), which you can reach easily by Metro from Otaniemi. The training schedule is:

• Mondays 17:30 - 19:00 (for the first practice on 15.9, please show up already at 17:00)

• Fridays 17:15 - 18:45

For a beginner, the emphasis in the trainings is about learning

• the dojo etiquette

• ukemi, a controlled and soft break fall from a throw

• some basic techniques demonstrating the principles of aikido

These skills are acquired by attending the trainings actively, ideally twice a week.

A suitable equipment for new beginners is a plain t-shirt and sweatpants. An aikido uniform (gi) can be ordered later on. Aikido is trained barefoot and the feet are washed before going to tatami. Avoid using jewelery. Nails should be trimmed short. 

The beginner's course is free of charge, but after the course one should pay the membership fee for either Aalto Aikikai or/and Seitokai depending on in which club you want to continue practicing aikido. Many members of Aalto Aikikai are also members of Seitokai and actively participate in trainings at both Otaniemi and Helsinki campuses.

Questions?

For any more information regarding the club, please send email to the board: aaltoaikikai-hallitus[ät]googlegroups.com