Beginner's Program

William Gleason Sensei

Shobu Aikido of Boston

34 Allen St Somerville MA 02143
Phone: (617) 718-1918
Email info@shobu.org to Register

8-Week Beginner's Program

Next Program begins Saturday September 27th!

The Beginner's Program is designed for people new to Aikido. Classes are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm and Saturday mornings from 10:00 - 11:30 am. The Saturday classes will contain bokken instruction. Beginners may also attend Intro to Aikido classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings 8;00 - 8:45 pm which will be open mat format where senior students (sempai) help junior students (kohai) with aikido fundamentals. When ready, students are invited to join regular dojo classes (Tu, Wed & Th 7 -87 pm and Sun 9 am -12 pm).

The goal of the course is to introduce beginners to Aikido basics, focusing on building fundamentals. At the completion of the program, students will be prepared to enter regular Aikido classes. Everything learned in the introductory program will apply directly to further training. Classes will consist of basic bodywork (stretching, falling, rolling, footwork, kneewalking, attacking etc.) and two person techniques (tenkan ho, kokyu ho, ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, tenshinage, iriminage, kotegaeshi, etc.).

The program is overseen by William Gleason Sensei, 6th dan, and is taught by himself and other qualified teachers at Shobu Aikido of Boston. When ready, participants are invited to attend regular Basics classes. This provides an opportunity to learn from different teachers with different perspectives and to train with more of the general dojo members.

The program offers many benefits and intensive training opportunities:

Individual practice time focused on basic Aikido techniques in a comfortable setting
An opportunity for beginning students to get detailed basic instruction from teachers
Additional one-on-one attention from senior students, focusing on the beginning student's needs
Participants may attend special class sessions available outside of regular classes (basic weapons seminars, special quarterly seminars, intensive basic courses, note: fees required)
Classes are intense and accelerated but are tailored to match each student's learning pace

Gleason Sensei has a long and successful history of teaching Aikido in Boston since 1980. Many of his students have started their own Aikido dojos around the country. Our sensei page has more details on Gleason Sensei, and you can also read an account of his lineage and experience with his teachers. Please join us for this exciting opportunity to train at Shobu Aikido of Boston and work with Gleason Sensei, his teachers and his students.

If you would like to join the Beginner's Program please print out the Beginner's Program Contract and the Beginner's Program Registration forms and bring them with you to the dojo along with your payment.

The cost for the Beginner's Program is $200 (cash or check OK)or $150 for full-time high school/college/grad students. A gi is required (judo style uniform, white or off-white with no markings) which may be purchased for $50 at the dojo or at a martial arts store. Additional family members/partners receive half off the normal price. Students must be age 15 or older.

Students may read about proper dojo etiquette in the ASU Handbook and Dojo Etiquette documents.

All program participants much watch an Aikido class at Shobu Boston before participating in the program. Please email info@shobu.org to tell us when you would like to visit and we will have someone available to answer your questions. Visitors are welcome to observe all classes anytime.

Thank you for your interest in our Beginner's Program. We hope to be training with you soon!