Aikido Classes
Aikido classes are taught by Mike Cardwell chief instuctor, Sandan (3nd degree blackbelt) and Leroy Cole, Sandan, under the direction of Bill Plank Sensei, Rokudan (6th degree black belt). The class is located at 2030 1st St in Idaho Falls.
Aikido classes run year round and you may start at any time. We encourage you to stop by and observe a class. You may participate if you have a gi or wear loose, comfortable clothing, like sweats. It might be a good idea to read up on our Dojo Etiquette.
Classes generally consist of warm-ups, ukemi (falling), and technical practice. We will occasionally have weapons practice, as well as workshop nights when students are ready to being preparation for testing.
Snake River Aikido does not have a dedicated kids program at this time, but we do allow children to join classes with their parents if they are physically capable and mature enough.
Class Times
Classes are held twice a week: Monday and Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and Saturday morning from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. The dojo is open 30 minutes prior to class for personal time for stretching or preparing for class.
Fees
You will find the fees to be extremely reasonable and less expensive than just about any other martial art in the area. The current Aikido instruction fee for ages 18 and up is $50 per month, for ages 10 to 17, it is $35 per month.
Commonly used Aikido terms
| Japanese | English |
| nage | throw |
| irimi | entering |
| tenchi | heaven and earth |
| kaiten | circular turning |
| waza | technique |
| koshi | hip |
| ura | behind |
| omote | in front |
| soto | outside |
| kokyu | breath |
| uchi | inside |
| kata | same side |
| gyaku | opposite side |
| tori / dori | grab |
| te | hand |
| hiji | elbow |
| mune | chest |
| tsuki | thrust or punch |
Techniques used in Aikido
| Technique | Description |
| ikkyo | 1st technique wrist lock |
| nikyo | 2nd technique wrist lock |
| sankyo | 3rd technique wrist lock |
| yonkyo | 4th technique pressure point |
| gokyo | 5th technique wrist pin |
| irimi nage | entering throw |
| shiho nage | four corner throw |
| kaiten nage | rotary throw |
| kote gaeshi | wrist throw |
| tenchi nage | heaven and earth throw |
| kokyu nage | breath throw |
| koshi nage | hip throw |
| juji nage | figure ten throw |
| ishi otoshi | stone drop |
| aiki otoshi | aiki drop |
Attacks used in Aikido
| Attack | Description |
| kata te dori | single hand grab |
| kata dori | shoulder grab |
| gyaku te dori | single cross hand grab |
| ryote dori | both hands grabbed |
| myote dori | two hands grab one hand |
| shomen uchi | overhead vertical strike |
| yokomen uchi | 45 degree strike to neck/head |
| mune tsuki | chest punch |
| ushiro dori | grab from behind |
| ushiro ryote dori | hands grabbed from behind |
| ushiro hiji dori | elbows grabbed from behind |
| ushiro kata dori | shoulders grabbed from behind |
| ushiro kubi shime | choke from behind |
| ushiro kata te dori kubi shime | hand and throat grabbed from behind |
