Membership at a traditional martial arts school is more than standard gym membership. Students develop a relationship with instructors and fellow students, becoming a part of a community… and that community of training partners is what makes training possible. Our individual efforts feed each other, and our community practice provides the grounds for training.

Membership dues are one way we contribute to maintaining that shared community of practice. On this page you can learn about our dues structure and pay most dues and training fees online.

Adult Aikido Dues

It is our intention at Open Sky not to turn away any interested aikido students based on ability to pay. This has always been an informal policy at Open Sky, but we make this policy more explicit now given the financial and other stresses of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Students may pay base dues by month or multi-month, prorated dues monthly, group dues monthly or multi-month, or use a starter package for beginners.

Aikido dues are paid on a monthly or multi-monthly basis. Discounts are given for paying multiple months in advance or multiple members in a household. Testing and our USAF affiliation create additional fees, typically paid annually.

New students will also provide a signed dojo waiver (electronically or in person). See the New Students page for that waiver or complete in person. Note also that the waiver asks that all members acknowledge and aim to adhere to the schools diversity, inclusion, & safe practice policies.

Individual Membership Dues (Base & Sliding Scale)

Base dues of $80 (considered 100% dues) support our school to make our ends meet and provide unlimited class attendance each month.

Base Dues:

One month: $80
Three Months: $225 ($75/mo. Saves $15)
Six Months: $432 ($72/mo. Saves $48)

Pay Base Dues Online: Pay individual membership dues online (at 100% or multi-month discount)

Sliding Scale Dues:

Students that need to pay less than 80/month due to means may pay month-by-month at 25% ($20), %50 ($40), or 75% ($60) per month. We request that new students or members newly experiencing financial hardship contact Mike to discuss options if ability to pay would keep you from regular practice before paying prorated dues so we can best understand your situation.

Members joining during a month may also pay pro-rated rather than full dues for that first month.

Members interested in supporting the dojo at a higher level to help offset school costs and the sliding scale program can elect to pay at 125% ($100/month), 150% ($120/month), or 200% ($160/month).

Pay Sliding Scale Dues Online: Pay discounted / prorated dues online (monthly at 25%, 50%, 75% … or at 125%, 150%, or 200%)

Group Membership Rates (For Expense Sharing Couples & Families)

Open Sky welcomes partners & families to practice together. Partners or families where two or more people are practicing at the same time pay a reduced rate. They may pay separately at the below rates or together (e.g. one check).

One Month: $75/person/mo. (Saves $5 per person, e.g. $10 for two)
Three Month: $216 ($72/person/mo. Saves $8 each month per person, e.g. $48 for two)
Six Month: $420 ($70/person/mo. Saves $10 each month per person, e.g. $120 for two)

Pay Group Dues Online: Pay group membership dues online

Starter Packages for Aikido Beginners

New members are always welcome! See our new students page for discounted starter packages for beginners.

Visitors

Aikido students who are active members of another aikido dojo (of any affiliation) are welcome to visit and train at any class for a $15 mat fee (and after signing our dojo’s waiver electronically or in person). Advanced notice of a visit is welcome, but not required. Students may pay in person or online.

Training Supplies

An aikido gi (uniform) is required for practice. Students may also wish to purchase their own jo (wooden staff) or bokken (wooden sword) for home and dojo practice, though the dojo has shared weapons for community use. To make things simpler for students, Open Sky maintains a supply of these training supplies for purchase (effectively at cost). Students can pay for these with a check or through our online payment portal.

USAF Annual Dues & Testing Fees

Registration of tests for rank are maintained by our governing body, the United States Aikido Federation (USAF), using standard test requirements. Active students 5th kyu and above maintain their USAF through an annual fee of $50 (as of 2023), typically paid in February or March, which facilitates tracking rank and attending seminars across many schools in North America. This annual fee can be paid by check or online. Test fees are paid once per rank by check or online (for kyu ranks). These USAF dues and fees are passed directly onto USAF.

Methods of Payment

Individual and group aikido dues can be paid online. Paper or bank checks can be mailed to 131 Boone Square St., Hillsborough, NC, 27278 or dropped off at in person class. If you would like to schedule an automatic payment either by credit card (through Square) or by recurring bank transfer / check (no additional fee), talk with Mike or email aikido@openskymartialarts.com for an easier-to-pay recurring credit card invoice.

Adult Aikido Dues Etiquette

Dues are due the first week of the month. Dues paid after the 7th day of the month will incur a late fee of $10. Leaves of absence should be arranged in advance with the chief instructor.

Current members should go to the contact us page and sign up on our mailing list for last-minute notices about schedule changes (like weather and holiday closings), seminars, and news from the dojo.

Tai Chi Dues

Tai Chi training at Open Sky is broken into several sessions over the course of the year, with 7-10 classes per session. Dues are paid for each multi-class session package.

See the Tai Chi Program page for the associated dues for each session.

Dues are due on the first day of the session and should be brought to class

Please contact us with questions about either the Aikido or Tai Chi programs.