what to expect when training.
As with beginning anything new, you will be introduced to many different ideas, it is important to feel comfortable and relaxed in the dojo. However, please treat the dojo and everyone training with respect. The term dojo literally translates to “the place” (jo) of “the way” (Do). The term “Do”can be better understood as “the way” to greater self-awareness and connection to the universe. Self-discipline, having a flexible and an open mind and respect of everyone and the dojo is paramount in training (keiko). Please speak to instructor if you have any questions.
What to wear:
As a beginner, for your first few weeks please wear comfortable loose clothing including long pants (preferably sweatpants and short or long sleave t-shirt). It is recommended that the t-shirt be tucked into pants, but it is not required. Once several weeks have past and a decision has been made to continue with Aikido, please wear a Gi (white pants and white martial arts jacket top with white belt. After about year of training a hakama (long traditional pant) should be worn (Please speak to instructor if you have any questions).
Training:
Aikido is typically practiced as a paired practice, one person (uke) initiates an attack one person (Nage) interactants and performs a counter attack. A primary intent of Aikido is to allow a greater sense of perception of everything around you and is geared to be able to interact with multiple attackers. As experience is gained more of a freeform practice is utilized.
Training involves the instructor’s demonstrating a technique and practitioners having to emulate this technique and eventually integrating more intricate principals in individual’s practice through these techniques.
Practice weapons:
Most practice is done with empty hands; however, there are some practice that involve the wooden staff (jo) or wooden sword (bokken): the use of these weapons are mostly utilized to learn movement and connection. There also are times when practice knives are used to better understand martial situations.
Learning to fall:
Initially, it is important to learn to fall safely, this is called “ukemi” and it involves learning to absorb the energy of a strike or throw and to fall safely when your balance is disrupted. Ukemi is primarily done to ensure practitioners safe practice but is also allows a more fluid and enjoyable practice.
Aikido is not a sport and there are no competitions as sport or competitive attitudes are considered detrimental to understanding. It is expected that each person continually push their own limits to continually be able to grow, however do not compare yourself to anyone else or push yourself to a breaking point
Safety of your training partner is everyone’s responsibility; although the training is challenging, safety is not to be compromised and it is important to follow instructions and etiquette and to respect your training partner’s limitations. Correct breathing, posture, relaxation and connection are the core principles that one must begin to understand and eventually continue to incorporate in everything you do on and off the mat.
Although physical fitness is not the primary goal, it is an outcome of practice of Aikido. More importantly, the unification of the body, mind and spirit is an integral part of budo (martial arts). Members are welcome to join me (Sensei Lewis) in my personal sessions in body development (which is separate from Aikido sessions): this primarily involves core development and body integration exercises at the dojo space, or beach. Feel free to ask, if interested.
Several publicly available videos and books have been referenced in the Aikido links section, it shows the wide variety of Aikido: this is only an indication to the beginner of the breath of Aikido. The connection and depth of understanding of martial arts can only be gained through experience.
Instruction and core concepts of Aikido.
MUSHIN.
The term mushin literally means “no mind” or “empty mind”, it is the chosen name of the dojo due to the importance of this attitude. Empty mind simply means to be able to engage in life without preconceived notions simply to experience who are and your infinite potential. You cannot learn this from any one else’s philosophy, you have to experience it on your own through discipline.
Since the unarmed techniques of Aikido originally derive from weapons techniques we train with the traditional weapons of wooden sword (boken) and staff (Jo) primarily to aid in developing relaxed natural body movement and providing Mind, Body, Spirit integration through martial arts.
People train in Aikido for several reasons. It is a system of self-defense and health. In addition, it is also a form of moving meditation with a strong spiritual underpinning and even serves as the model for various systems of conflict resolution. It is important to understand the use of the word “spiritual” is best considered a way of understanding the self, and is solely an individual quest to understand connection with everything around you. The emphasis on movement and redirection of force make Aikido the perfect martial art for those who are not physically large or powerful individuals.
There are many misconceptions in the practice of martial arts such as Aikido, this is not a sport and as such there are no sport competitions associated with Aikido.
Treat the dojo (place of training) with respect.
Treat everyone training with respect with a conscious effort to ensure the safety of everyone training in the dojo.
Take instruction in the tradition of a martial art with respect with an attitude to improve yourself.
Recognize that as any marital art (if you choose to continue training) requires self-discipline, an open mind and most importantly an attitude towards always improving/changing.
Adjust to the training according to your physical limitations with the belief that in true budo (martial art), understand and strength has less to do with physical strength and more to do with mind/body integration!
Etiquette: the etiquette is traditional to Aikido are required to ensure the safety of everyone as well as providing an environment of reverence and discipline in training. (Basic rules will be explained as part of the training process)
The Sensei (instructor) can be thought less of instructing class and more of facilitating a process and environment to be able to experience martial arts through self- discovery. At first new students will begin training by going through the initial process to break bad habits enhance natural movements, breathing, focusing the mind.
Do not expect to be told what to think or any philosophy. The primary expectation is the discipline to allow yourself to grow.
True Victory is Victory over oneself