The Value of Community

One of the ways we use Aikido is to work out the stresses that touch our lives outside the dojo.  We see the dojo is more than a space in which to stretch, exercise and refine our techniques. We are also a community of practitioners who gather to study and partake, with a reverent spirit, in a shared experience.  The more we see practice in this way, the more the principles we study on the mat appear in our interactions off the mat.  

We love training. On the mat we clash and we blend, we lose our balance and then recover it. Our hearts race and sweat pours down our foreheads. We make countless decisions on how and where to move our bodies through space, and we endlessly tell ourselves to relax.  The physical experience of trying to ground and center over and over again requires devotion. We work to be as conscious as we can.  Ideally, our efforts carry over into the meetings we conduct, the groceries we buy, and the discussions we share with our children. We strive to operate in the world like we carry ourselves around on the mat. The more we link the two, the deeper our training becomes, developing a sense of spontaneity—a way of responding naturally to what arises in each moment. This freedom helps us learn to trust our hopes and manifest our dreams.

“Today’s problems rest on centuries of negligence, centuries of pain and unresolved interactions. We are ignoring spirituality. Forget organized religion if need be--just talk about ethics, about how the basic quest for human happiness cannot be achieved by people who don't understand karma, that all actions have consequences. Furthermore, as people see clearly their predicament, that our fates are inextricably tied together, that life is a mutually interdependent web of relations, then universal responsibility becomes the only sane choice for thinking people."--Dalai Lama

Two Cranes Institute

Aikido is a martial art that advocates for the spirit of loving protection for all beings in our world.  As peace-dedicated artists, we work toward balance and harmony, not only in our home and community life, but also as citizens in the world.  The mission of our foundation is as follows:

Two Cranes Institute leverages the reflective and martial principles of Aikido to instill compassion and diffuse conflict.

At Two Cranes Institute, we provide educational programs for children, teens and adults that promote nonviolence and cultivate peaceful solutions to conflict.  Our objective is to help build resilient communities by providing strategies for compassionate leadership and empowerment within the Puget Sound community and beyond.  We focus on schools, community organizations, and at-risk groups. Two Cranes Institute is a source for educational materials and multi-media tools that promote our mission.
For information contact us at 206.523.5503 or TwoCranesInstitute.org

Dues
Your membership dues are paid on or by the first of each month, and we appreciate timely payment in order to support the smooth operation of the dojo.  In addition to monthly dues, there is a one-time registration fee when joining the dojo. Students can pay online (click here) or deposit a check in the dues box at the dojo. A continuing membership form should be filled out at this time, thought no long-term contracts are required.

Discounts are available for students and families where more than one member is involved in training. We also have the option of quarterly or yearly pre-paid dues. We want to be sure to credit all payments properly, so please clearly communicate what your payment is for (dues, gi, seminar).

Traditionally, dues are viewed as a way to show gratitude for the teachings received. Paying your dues on or before the first of the month demonstrates respect of and consideration for the dojo.

If you are able to pay your dues even while sick, injured, or away, it is very much appreciated. If you need to take an extended leave of absence and are not able to pay dues during this time, we of course understand. In this instance, we ask that you please inform the chief instructor.  If you are having difficulties paying your dues and wish to continue your training, please speak with the chief instructor to discuss options.