BEGINNERS' GUIDE
This guide contains basic information on Aikido practice, dojo rules, and a vocabulary of terms often used in Aikido. Check our FAQ section for answers to the most frequently asked questions and our section on schedule and membership.
Summary
Classes
General rules of conduct
Japanese vocabulary
Classes [summary]
The dojo (school) opens everyday, half an hour before the beginning of a class. If you wish only to observe a class, come to the front desk and you will be directed. The day that you take your first class, allow for twenty minutes to register and get acquainted with the place. Bring an extra pair of clean sandals, flip-flops or zoris.
Remove your shoes in the front area and put on your sandals. Keep those on in the dojo until you step on the tatami (mats). On the way out you may take them home or place them on the shelves in the entrance.
Do not be late. Classes begin with warm ups customized to the practice of Aikido or Iaido. Before class, take time to relax and indulge in the physical or mental preparation which suits you best.
General rules of conduct [summary]
Aikido is not a religion but it remains deeply influenced by traditional Japanese values. A centerpiece is Rei, which means "appreciation and respect" and the manner by which it is expressed (Reigi saho). Rei is shown to O'Sensei (Founder of Aikido), to the sensei (instructors) and to training partners.
O'Sensei
A picture of the Founder and that of other late grand masters are hanged on the wall of the Kamiza (altar) typically unadorned in the Japanese way. Respect and gratitude to the founder for his legacy are displayed in the form of bowing.
Upon entering or leaving, the dojo, the bow is executed standing up, bare head, arms along the side of the body and facing the Kamiza, Upon stepping onto the tatami, kneel down in seiza (sitting on the heels with the back straight) and bow to the Kamiza both hands on the mat in front of you.
Senseis (instructors)
At the beginning and end of a class after bowing to O'Sensei, the sensei and the practitioners bow to each other. If you are late to a class, wait still off the tatami for the sensei to signal to you permission to join the class. During the class, kneel when he addresses the class or demonstrates a technique close to you. When he is done, bow before resuming practice. If during class you need to step away from the tatami ask him for permission. If you experience a serious problem make sure that he is made aware.
When bowing to the Sensei, at the beginning of the class, the traditional formula (optional) is "Onegai shimasu" ("please") whereas at the end of the class, students say "Domo arigato gozai mashita" ("thank you very much").
Partners
Better than adversaries your partners are critical to your improvement and they are required to help you if they are more advanced. Lacking respect towards them goes against such a spirit and is unproductive. Remain humble and sincere, your progress will be faster. During class or free practice, overcome your aggressiveness. Before and after practicing with a partner show respect and bow to him.
Other expressions of respect
For a better understanding of Reigi Saho the reader may consult an article written by Kanai Sensei. There is more to respect than just bowing. The following list is indicative not exhaustive.
- Never practice with impaired faculties
- Be fully aware and avoid casual training, an injury risk factor
- Keep still and silent during the bows at the start and end of classes
- Communicate by signs rather than chat in classes to preserve others' concentration
- In the dressing room or off the tatami do not be loud and do not distract those who practice
- Have all nails cut short and remove any jewel or sharp belonging before stepping on the tatami.
- Take good care of your personal hygiene and use clean gi (uniform) every day at the dojo
- If you tend to sweat a lot, wear a T-shirt, insert a towel in your gi to dry your face.
- Place your shoes and your zoris in an orderly manner and do not to block the way to others
Weapons
Many movements in Aikido are inspired by weapon handling. Bokken (wooden sword), Jo (staff) or tanto (wooden knife) are weapons sometimes used in Aikido. Practicing with those weapons helps reach a higher understanding of this martial art and improve the execution of various movements.
Bow to the Kamiza before and after practicing with a weapon, holding it horizontally arms extended at eye level. The blade should be facing you. If you need to put it down on the tatami, do not drop it and lay it away from your neighbors. Make sure that the blade does not point to the Kamiza.
Tests
To test for a degree you must practice hard and a minimum number of days. (80 for the 5th kyu) and obtain pre approval from the Chief Instructor. Every day that you practice, tick the attendance sheet on the bulletin board. If your name does not appear, write it by hand at the bottom.
Dojo tasks
The dojo has no employees. Instructors and administrators of Aikido de la montagne are unpaid volunteers. Membership fees pay for the rent, utility bills and general expenses. Membership expiration dates are posted monthly on the Bulletin Board. Please consult the sheet and help the management of the dojo by renewing your membership on time.
The dojo needs to be maintained and immaculately clean. This is everyone's responsibility. Tatamis need special care and must be cleaned at least once a day, usually after class. No permission is required to help cleaning. Observe others, ask questions to the senseis or senior students who will be glad to oblige.
Dojo administration
Aikido de la Montagne is a non profit association, open to all and whose raison d'être is the benefit of its members. Anybody registering becomes a member de facto. Assets of the dojo belong to Aïkido de la Montagne. Administrators are chosen at general assembly meetings.
Japanese vocabulary [summary]
COUNTING
| 1. | Ichi |
| 2. | Ni |
| 3. | San |
| 4. | Shi (Yon) |
| 5. | Go |
| 6. | Roku |
| 7. | Shichi (Nana) |
| 8. | Hatchi |
| 9. | Ku (Kyu) |
| 10. | Ju |
CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
| Dojo | school |
| Kamiza | shrine |
| Tatami | practice mat |
| Gi | uniform |
| Zori | sandals |
| Bokken | wooden sword |
| Jo | staff |
| Tanto | wooden knife |
MANNERS
| Rei | bowing; literally "appreciation and respect" |
ROLES
| O'Sensei | the founder of Aikido |
| Shihan | Honorific title for a few master instructors |
| Sensei | instructor |
| Nage | person who does the technique |
| Uke | person who receives the technique |
POSITIONS, FALLS AND MOVEMENTS
| Ai hanmi | partners face each other, each with the right or the left foot forward |
| Gyaku hanmi | partners face each other, one with right foot, other with left foot forward |
| Maai | proper distance between the two partners |
| Seiza | kneeling position, sitting on the heels with back straight |
| Ukemi | fall |
| Koho kaiten | back roll |
| Zempo kaiten | front roll |
| Haishin undo | final back stretch |
| Tachi waza | standing technique |
| Hanmi hantachi | technique done with uke standing and nage sitting |
| Suwari waza | sitting technique |
| Omote waza | entering movement in front of uke, considered positive |
| Ura waza | entering movement behind uke, considered negative |
| Soto kaiten | outside turning movement |
| Uchi kaiten | inside turning movement |
| Irimi | entering movement going toward uke |
| Tenkan | 180o pivoting movement on forward leg |
| Tentai | 180o pivoting movement without moving the foot position |
| Tenshin | sliding back off line |
| Note: | Most techniques can be omote, ura or both |
ATTACKS
| Katate dori | grasp of one wrist with one hand |
| Ryote dori | grasp of both wrists (from the front) |
| Morote dori | grasp of a wrist with two hands |
| Kata dori | grasp of shoulder |
| Ryo kata dori | grasp of both shoulders (from the front) |
| Ushiro tekubi dori | grasp of both wrists from behind |
| Ushiro ryokata dori | grasp of both shoulders from behind |
| Ushiro kubijime | grasp of one wrist from behind and choke with forearm |
| Shomen uchi | descending strike on the top of the head |
| Yokomen uchi | sideways strike to the head |
| Tsuki | thrust punch |
BASIC TECHNIQUES
| Ikkyo | arm pin |
| Nikkyo | wrist control by exerting screwing effect |
| Sankyo | wrist control by twisting it |
| Yonkyo | forearm control |
| Kote gaeshi | throwing by turning out uke's wrist |
| Irimi nage | entering throw |
| Shiho nage | four direction throw |
| Tenshi nage | heaven (ten) and earth (shi) throw |
| Kaiten nage | throwing by pushing diagonally one of uke's arms while keeping his head down |
| Kokyu ho | breathing and throwing exercise |
POLITENESS
| Domo arigato gozaimas' (sh'ta) | Thank you very much (past tense) |
| Oneigaîshimas' | We are ready. |