Here are a couple of tips to help you become familiar with an Aikido class.    Being a Japanese martial art, all of our instructions and terminology are in japanese.  Don't worry, eventually this will all become second nature.

 

What to wear:

To start with you can wear any comfortable gym clothing that allows you to move freely.  Eventually you will need to purchase yourself a uniform (or gi) which can be picked up at a specialist Martial Arts store, gumtree or eBay.  We have bare feet on the mat (or tatami).

 

When to bow:

Bowing is an important form of showing respect and gratitude in the dojo.  We bow as we enter and leave the dojo, as we enter and leave the tatami, as we begin and finish an activity and also when handing over a weapon to an opponent.  Deep bowing occurs at the beginning and end of the class.

 

What we say:

At the beginning of the class we all say 'I am in your care' in japanese - onegaishimasu.  

At the end of the class we say 'thank you very much' - domo arigato gozaimasu.

We also count to 10 in japanese.  A lot!   Just watch this quick video again and again and again......

 

Some basic terminology:

• Hajime means to begin.

• Matte means to end.

• Unsoku - our basic foot patterns practiced in warm up.

• Tai sabaki - the foot and body movements used to avoid an attack.

• Tsugi-ashi - sliding foot movements

• Maai - relates to the space between you and your opponent.

• Metsuke - is your visual and mental focus.

• Kata - pre-arranged forms of movement

• Randori - freestyle practice

• Tegatana - 'sword hand'

• Ukemi - Falling techniques (breakfalls)

• Uke - the training partner receiving the throw (or attacking)

• Tori - the one throwing!

 

Weaponry:

We use 3 types of weapons in Aikido Shodokan.

• Tanto - a replica short sword made of fabric.

• Bokken - a Japanese training sword made of wood

• Jo - a wooden staff about 4ft long.

 

Belts and Gradings:

The gradings are slightly different for junior and adult aikidoka.

Progressing in belts takes a number of practice hours and a grading.

The adult gradings are:

• White - Beginner

• Blue - 8th Kyu

• Blue - 7th Kyu

• Blue - 6th Kyu

• Green - 5th Kyu

• Green - 4th Kyu

• Green - 3rd Kyu

• Brown - 2nd Kyu

• Brown - 1st Kyu

• Black - 1st Dan and upwards.