We are a member of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) and the International Aikido Federation (IAF) under the direct supervision of Shihan Yoshimitsu Yamada. The USAF is a non-profit educational institution created for the purpose of spreading and maintaining the integrity of the Japanese martial art of Aikido, as exemplified and developed by its Founder, Master Morihei Ueshiba, and as disseminated by the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido Hombu Dojo, the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The IAF is a federation of aikido organizations which are directly affiliated to the Aikikai Hombu in Japan.

The main aims of the USAF are to develop and guide the practice and instruction of Aikido as established by Hombu, to promote and develop good will, fellowship and lines of communication among its members, to standardize gradings, to register dan (senior level) grades with Hombu, and to establish and maintain close contact with the Shihan (master teachers) officially dispatched as representatives by Hombu.

Registration for membership in the USAF is not required until you have taken and passed your 5th Kyu examination. At Water Oak Aikikai we feel that being a member of the USAF is an important aspect of being a student at WOA. Therefore, you will be registered with the USAF either at your first examination or during the annual membership renewal period (each February), whichever occurs first.

You may take a leave of abscence from the USAF and not pay annual dues during your abscence. However, at the time of your next promotion you will be required pay any outstanding dues. For example: Tom has been a member of the USAF since 2001. He decides to take time off from his training to travel during 2006 & 2007. He starts back with Aikido in May 2008. In October 2008 he passes his next examination. At this point he must pay the annual dues for 2006, 2007 and 2008 in order to bring his membership up to date.