Travelling Aikidoka

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[Sherman Byas]

Help Everyone!

Later this summer, my family and I are taking a road trip to visit many cities across the USA. I intend to take my gi and weapons with me & visit dojos. My question is this, how do I properly go into a strange dojo? Should I try to contact them before hand to let them know I'm coming? Or, do I just show up? I've heard mention of a letter of introduction from Sensei, I'm aware that many dojo's have a mat fee. Ours does (we never accept it). Is it appropriate to make a donation or should I wait till they ask for it???

On the few occasions that people have come in, we welcome them with open arms, but I hear that every dojo tain't like us.

Help me out!

Thanks!

[akiy]

What I would do is to let the dojo know I'm coming in one way or another by contacting them via e-mail or by phone. I think it's just good etiquette to let them know and, sometimes, you'll be able to find things out like schedule changes and such. I do relax this suggestion with dojo with which I am familiar (ie they know who I am), though.

I don't think a letter of introduction and such are really necessary; I've never had one, nor have I ever been asked for one.

As far as mat fees and such go, I always try to ask beforehand myself.

So far in my travels, I've always felt welcomed when I stop by a dojo.

Hope that helps.

-- Jun

[Sherman Byas]

What I would do is to let the dojo know I'm coming

The problem is, I don't know where I'm going! I know the cities I'm going to but many of them ie. Seattle, WA have a multitude of dojo. So, how about this, I'll post the names of various cities and my fellow akidoka out there can "invite" me or suggest dojos.

Minnitonka, MN (right ouside minneapolis)
Rapid City, SD
Billings, Montana
Seattle, WA
San Fancisco, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Las Wages, Nevada
Hot Springs, AR

That's it so far.

[shihonage]

Suggestion:

Aikido Center

Japantown area
1755 Laguna St. (at Bush)
San Francisco, CA 94115
Dojo: (415) 921-5073

[SeiserL]

Greetings,

Gotta agree with Jun. Do a search of what is available. Find out which ones you want to visit. Contact ahead of time to make arrangements and find out the proper etiquette. Good manners and humility go a long way.

If your trip brings you to Southern California, please let me know.

Until again,

Lynn

[akiy]

The AikiWeb Dojo Search Engine (http://www.aikiweb.com/search) will enable you to search for dojo within a certain radius of pretty much any city in the Unites States.

Of course, some of those cities that you mention (eg Los Angeles, San Francisco) are large enough that it'll take over an hour to get from one part of the city to another...

-- Jun

[Steven]

As a teacher who runs a school through a Parks and Recreation, I always appreciate a call or some form of communications as to whether I'll be expecting a visitor. I also do a lot of traveling and have always made it a point to call or write the dojo prior to visiting. I learned the hard way once and learned that the address listed was the instructors home and not the dojo. Although I had a lovely chat with his wife and son.

Simply pick up the phone book and make the call, or decide before hand which dojo's you'll be visiting. When in the bay area and in Los Angeles, I recommend the following dojos.

http://www.higirikan.org and http://www.sanbukan.com

If you make it through Sacramento, please pay us a visit if you can. Our site is http://www.seikeikan.com.

As to mat fees, I always ask out of courtesy. At times I'll also offer dinner or a drink after class. I've yet to have anyone not accept that when offered. :)