MEMBERSHIP
The dojo currently is not accepting adult trial members.
If you would like to join our adult program, please check back later for available openings.
Senshin Center is not a commercial martial arts school. Individuals seeking membership should keep this well in mind. While the dojo's efforts in assisting everyone to gain the capacity to train properly are universally applied, the dojo cannot accept all interested parties. Training at Senshin Center requires high levels of integrity, discipline, and commitment. Below you will find several criteria that every potential member must meet in order to be granted dojo membership and to enter into a Sensei/Deshi relationship with Valadez Sensei.
The Trial Membership
Senshin Center does not accept adult walk-in members. A person seeking dojo membership and wishing to enter into a Sensei/Deshi (trans. "Teacher/Student") relationship with Valadez Sensei must first complete a Trial Membership.
All candidates for Trial Membership will have their requests considered in light of the potential member's needs and wants and in light of given dojo concerns. The dojo will not accept more than five Trial Members at a time, and priority for Trial Membership will be given to individuals with training referrals and/or credentials. To seek a Trial Membership, potential students are required to email Valadez Sensei with said request and clearly state that they are fully capable of meeting the following training requirements: The Minimum Training Requirement, The Intended Training Schedule Requirement, The Courtesy Protocol Requirement, and the Dues Responsibility Requirement. (See below.)
A Trial Membership is on average four weeks in duration and has no Dues Responsibility attached to it. If necessary, the dojo will provide any equipment needed (e.g. gi, obi, weapons, zafu, zabuton, etc.). During a Trial Membership, Trial Members should seek to expose themselves to as much of the art as it is practiced at Senshin Center as possible. Trial Members should seek to gain an accurate sense for the instructors, training peers, the dojo's pedagogy, and for the potency and vitality of that pedagogy. Trial Members should strive to gain all that is needed to make an informed decision regarding dojo membership and being in a Sensei/Deshi relationship with Valadez Sensei.
If a Trial Member knows he/she wants to enter into a Sensei/Deshi relationship with Valadez Sensei, said Trial Member may request to end the Trial Membership at that time and request full dojo membership. Valadez Sensei may then make an immediate decision on dojo membership or extend the Trial Membership as warranted.
Please note that a Trial Membership works in two ways: While each Trial Member is working to decide if his or her needs can be met by Senshin Center and a Sensei/Deshi relationship with Valadez Sensei, Senshin Center and Valadez Sensei is also working to determine if the needs and wants of each Trial Member can be accommodated by training at the dojo. Thus, Trial Members can withdraw from a Trial Membership at any time. Likewise, Valadez Sensei can terminate a Trial Membership at any time.
Note: Child Aiki I members are not required to enter a Trial Membership.
Minimum Training Requirement
All adult members must meet the Minimum Training Requirement. The Minimum Training Requirement consists of the following: a) A dojo member must train in two classes (on two different days) per week; b) A dojo member must have at least one Body Art class with Valadez Sensei per week; and, c) A dojo member cannot have more Body Conditioning classes than Body Art classes. Please understand that the above-mentioned are MINIMUM requirements, and that all dojo members should seek to be above and beyond the minimum in everything they do.
Note: Child Aiki I members are not required to meet the Minimum Training Requirement.
Intended Training Schedule Requirement
The Intended Training Schedule Requirement is designed to cultivate the necessary levels of commitment, dedication, discipline, and endurance that are required to keep the dojo's training culture potent. To fulfill this requirement, dojo members must inform the head-instructor of their regular weekly training regimen. Such scheduling is akin to deciding coursework within a university. Any combination of days, and/or combination of classes, are acceptable for submission as long as they meet all other dojo protocols. Once approved, dojo members should post their Intended Training Schedule on the corresponding dojo member Google Document. Dojo members can modify their Intended Training Schedule for any reason and at any time within reason.
Note: Child Aiki I members are not required to meet the Intended Training Schedule Requirement.
The Courtesy Protocol Requirement
When dojo members are unable to attend a class or training day from their Intended Training Schedule, they must meet the Courtesy Protocol Requirement by notifying the head-instructor and the class leader of said absence. This notification is to occur no earlier than one day in advance and no later than three hours prior to class time. A simple message (e.g. email, text message, FB message, or voicemail) suffices. No reasons for absences are required to be given for regular dojo members. Dojo members with Hakama Responsibility are required to provide their reason for said absence. This is done for reasons of self-reflection - no provided reasons are judged or rejected.
The Dues Responsibility Requirement
Dojo members must meet the following Dues Responsibility Requirement:
Adult Members: $130/month
Child Members: $90/month
The Dues Responsibility Requirement is to be met by the 25th of each month. Dues collected on the 25th of a given month are slotted to meet the dojo's welfare for the following month. For example, dues collected on August 25th are designated to meet the dojo’s welfare in the month of September. Dues collected on August 25th are therefore referred to as “September Dues.”
Failure to address the Dues Responsibility Requirement by either contributing funds to the dojo's continuing existence and/or requesting dojo financial assistance by the 25th of each month will result in a revoking of dojo membership.
The dojo offers a family discount of $15 off for each member from the same family income. The fourth (or more) member from the same family income does not need to meet a Dues Responsibility Requirement.
Note: We prioritize Adult Dues Responsibility over Child Dues Responsibility.
Guest Members
Guest members are Aikido practitioners who are currently training at another Aikido dojo. Guest members are welcome to train at Senshin Center. To train at the dojo, Guest Members must first contact the head instructor (Dojocho) prior to participating in a class. Guest members may train regularly at the dojo but may not attend more than two classes a week. Guest Members who would like to attend more classes should seek to enter a Trial Period and look towards gaining full dojo membership. Guest Members do not have a Dues Responsibility, nor is Valadez Sensei bound to their tutelage as part of a Sensei/Deshi relationship. There is no mat fee for Guest Members to attend training at Senshin Center. Guest Members attending training should don their full practice uniform and have all of their training equipment with them.