Frequently Asked Questions

Age 4, in our Lil Samurai class for ages 4–6. Children 7–12 train in Young Warriors, and teens 13 and up in Teen Samurai.

Yes. The first thing every student learns is ukemi — how to fall and roll safely. Aikido has no striking competition and no head contact, and classes are supervised by an 8th Dan with 57 years of experience. Injury rates are among the lowest of any martial art.

Aikido and Aiki Budo teach joint locks, throws, pins, off-line movement and atemi (unbalancing strikes) that work regardless of size. We also teach awareness and verbal de-escalation, because the best self-defense is the fight that never starts.

Karate and taekwondo are primarily striking arts practiced with sparring and point competition. Aikido is a grappling and control art — you redirect an attack and finish with a lock or throw. There is no tournament sparring, which is why many parents choose it for kids who need confidence without aggression. Read our full comparison.

Memberships are month-to-month with no long-term contract, and we share pricing in person during your free week or by phone at (704) 775-3401.

Book a class on the free trial page, show up in athletic clothes, and train for seven days free. No card, no contract.

For your trial: a t-shirt and sweatpants or athletic pants, no jewelry, bare feet on the mat. After you enroll, students wear a white gi (uniform).

Yes. Adult Aikido runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10 AM and Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7 PM. Every class mixes beginners with ranked students so you learn from both.

Yes. Aikido is one of the few martial arts practiced seriously into the seventies because it depends on timing and technique rather than strength or speed. Tell Kaicho about any injuries and he will adapt the training.

Typically four to six years of consistent training for adults, longer for children who start young. Rank is earned by testing in front of Kaicho — we never sell belts.

Yes. Bokken (wooden sword), jo (staff) and tanto (knife) are part of the Aiki Budo curriculum. Ranked students train them in the Friday Advanced Weapons Class.

Yes — a daytime Homeschool PE class Tuesdays and Thursdays 1–2 PM, August through May.

Many of our families come to us for exactly this reason. The structure, repetition and calm intensity of Aikido help kids regulate, focus and build confidence. Parents of neurodivergent students are some of our most enthusiastic reviewers. Read more.

Yes. Parents are welcome to watch from the lobby area at any time.

2364 Springs Rd NE, Hickory, NC 28601, on Springs Road NE near the Walmart in northeast Hickory. There is free parking right in front of the dojo.

Monday through Saturday, from 10 AM morning adult classes to 8:30 PM evening classes. See the full schedule.

We close the week of July 4th, Labor Day, Oktoberfest weekend (2nd weekend of October), Thanksgiving Thursday–Saturday, Christmas break (3rd Saturday of December through the day after New Year’s), and Easter Monday.

The founder and chief instructor of AikiDojo of Hickory: an 8th Dan in Aiki Budo with 57 years of continuous martial arts training. Meet the instructors.