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Our "Dojo"
An Aikido dojo is a dedicated training hall where people practice the Japanese martial art Aikido and study its physical techniques, philosophy, and etiquette as a “way” of personal development.
Meaning of “Dojo”
In Japanese, dojo literally means “place of the way,” referring to a space where a particular path of study or discipline (such as a martial art or meditation) is pursued regularly. In an Aikido context, it is both a physical room with mats and a community organized around a teacher (sensei), curriculum, and shared training culture.
Purpose and Atmosphere
An Aikido dojo is intended as a place to refine body, mind, and spirit, not to show off strength or ego. Training emphasizes respect, sincerity, and safety so that students can explore throws, joint locks, and weapons work in a cooperative, non-competitive environment.
What Happens Inside
In a typical Aikido Dojo, classes include warm-ups, falling/rolling practice (ukemi), and partner techniques involving throws, pins, and sometimes sword, staff, or knife training. Students also practice formal etiquette—such as bowing, how to sit, and how to address the instructor—which reinforces awareness, discipline, and mutual respect.
This image represents our Tokonoma or focal point of the Dojo.
In the center is a Japanese scroll by Hiroshi Tajiri Shian that says Aikido together with the images of Morihei Ueshiba the founder of Aikido and Toyoda Shihan, our connection to the founder and our teacher
To the left is an original calligraphy by Toyoda Shihan that reads Shi Jo Kan,
“Intuition of life and death.”
To the right of the center is another scroll by Hiroshi Tajiri Sensei that reads “Tenryukan”. The place of Heavenly movement of Universal flow. This is the name of our school. This name was given to us by famous zen teacher, Ginny Whitelaw.
Dojo Front from left to right:
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Student Name board (not shown)
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Weapons rack for Bokken. (Traditional wooden sword)
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Toyoda Shihan’s calligraphy
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Aikido Tokonmoa
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Dojo Name calligraphy
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Weapons rack for Jo (Traditional wooden staff)
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Weapons rack for Tanto (Not shown, Traditional wooden knife)
Our Dojo uses a Name board to identify the members of our community and the ranks they currently hold.
The Top row includes members who have attained different levels of Black belt and the chief instructor, or Dojo Cho.
The second row includes members who are Kyu Rank, or those working towards Black belt.
The third row represents our Children and their promotions
Below:
This is our training space. In Aikido, the Dojo is a sacred place because this is where we come to refine ourselves through rigorous training. We use this place to constantly improve ourselves in every aspect of our lives.
