ABOUT BEARTOOTH AIKIDO
Beartooth Aikido was established in 2007 by Bruce Schmoetzer, the chief instructor and head of the dojo, in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains of Montana. Beartooth Aikido moved to it’s current location in the Tri Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland) area of Washington state in 2011. Beartooth Aikido is affiliated with Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, which is headed by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and affiliated with Aikikai World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Prospective members are required to watch an advanced class at the dojo and meet Schmoetzer Sensei. We also encourage those with no experience in this art to try a class. Bring a sweatsuit or other clothing, that allows free movement and covers your knees, to one of the basic classes. If you and Schmoetzer Sensei agree, you may join the dojo.
Membership dues of $66 per month are payable on the first of each month. Payment accepted via www.dwolla.com
Members of Beartooth Aikido are expected to maintain membership in the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), at a fee of $45 annually.
Promotions are granted through ASU and cost $45 for each kyu rank. Kyu rank promotion requirements are available before the test; eligibility to test is based on both actual time since previous promotion and training time since previous promotion. Promotions at the black belt level are granted by Aikikai World Headquarters.
Members of Beartooth Aikido are also to abide by these rules:
– Create the moral responsibility never to use aikido to do harm or to display ego.
– Protect your partners from injury.
– Develop your mind, body and spirit first – before correcting others.
– Help each other at all times.
– Practice harmoniously.
– Respect each other’s abilities and needs.