Aikido West

 aikido vocabulary and footwork review videos for beginning aikido students

useful aikido vocabulary terms

Guidance on Aikido Training from Terry Ezra Shihan (Komyokan Aikido Association, UK)
(original link: https://kaa.aikido.co.uk/about-aikido/training/)

Aikido practice begins the moment you enter the dojo! Trainees ought to endeavor to observe proper etiquette at all times. It is proper to bow when entering and leaving the dojo, and when coming onto and leaving the mat. Approximately 3-5 minutes before the official start of class, trainees should line up and sit quietly in seiza (kneeling) or with legs crossed.

The only way to advance in aikido is through regular and continued training. Attendance is not mandatory, but keep in mind that in order to improve in aikido, one probably needs to practice at least twice a week. In addition, insofar as aikido provides a way of cultivating self-discipline, such self-discipline begins with regular attendance.

Your training is your own responsibility. No one is going to take you by the hand and lead you to proficiency in aikido. In particular, it is not the responsibility of the instructor or senior students to see to it that you learn anything. Part of aikido training is learning to observe effectively. Before asking for help, therefore, you should first try to figure the technique out for yourself by watching others.

Aikido training encompasses more than techniques. Training in aikido includes observation and modification of both physical and psychological patterns of thought and behavior. In particular, you must pay attention to the way you react to various sorts of circumstances. Thus part of aikido training is the cultivation of (self-)awareness.

The following point is very important: Aikido training is a cooperative, not competitive, enterprise. Techniques are learned through training with a partner, not an opponent. You must always be careful to practice in such a way that you temper the speed and power of your technique in accordance with the abilities of your partner. Your partner is lending his/her body to you for you to practice on – it is not unreasonable to expect you to take good care of what has been lent you.

Aikido training may sometimes be very frustrating. Learning to cope with this frustration is also a part of aikido training. Practitioners need to observe themselves in order to determine the root of their frustration and dissatisfaction with their progress. Sometimes the cause is a tendency to compare oneself too closely with other trainees. Notice, however, that this is itself a form of competition. It is a fine thing to admire the talents of others and to strive to emulate them, but care should be taken not to allow comparisons with others to foster resentment, or excessive self-criticism.

If at any time during aikido training you become too tired to continue or if an injury prevents you from performing some aikido movement or technique, it is permissible to bow out of practice temporarily until you feel able to continue. If you must leave the mat, ask the instructor for permission.

Although aikido is best learned with a partner, there are a number of ways to pursue solo training in aikido. First, one can practice solo forms (kata) with a jo or bokken. Second, one can “shadow” techniques by simply performing the movements of aikido techniques with an imaginary partner. Even purely mental rehearsal of aikido techniques can serve as an effective form of solo training.

It is advisable to practice a minimum of two hours per week in order to progress in aikido.

weeks 1 & 2 - Body Movement and footwork review videos

Note: In all these videos you will notice that the various forms all start from and return to a relaxed, natural hanmi ready position.

weeks 1 & 2 - aikido training and fundamental techniques

Four Basic Principles of Aikido Training (adapted from Ki Society and Kokikai Aikido organizations)

1. Keep one point
2. Relax completely
3. Keep Weight Underside and Maintain Correct Posture
4. Keep a Positive Mind and Extend Ki

Keep One Point

The one-point in the lower abdomen, also referred to in Japanese as Seika Tanden or Seika No Itten, is a very important part of practice. Focus your weight on your center of balance, which is about three finger widths below your navel. This helps you maintain balance and stability.

In Aikido training when someone says move from your centre they are talking about a movement that starts from your one-point.

The one-point is a focal point for the mind and not just a focal point for physical movement. One way to imagine the one-point is by picturing a large sphere around the body centred on the one-point and to then progressively shrink that sphere by half and half again until it becomes the one-point.

Relax Completely

Try to relax as much as possible while performing techniques. A relaxed stance is more fluid and alive, while a tense stance is immobile. To relax completely, as we use the term, means to release the tension in our body without collapsing.

As we progress in our training our self-awareness grows and we recognise elements of previously unrecognised tension in our mind and body and so discover the opportunity to work on releasing that tension and improving our overall level of relaxation.

Keep Weight Underside and Maintain Correct Posture

If our body is relaxed but powerful, we lack excess tension. This permits weight to settle on the “underside” of the limbs. Weight underside is a concept closely linked to relax completely. Allowing the weight to fall to its lowest natural point is usually accomplished by relaxing the muscles while maintaining the correct posture. Maintain good posture and continually correct it.

Keep a Positive Mind and Extend Ki

Ki is a Japanese concept which is very similar to the Chinese concept of Qi (Chi) and the Yogic concept of Prana.

In many ways our bodies are an expression of our minds. If we are angry others can see that in our face in our posture. Likewise if we are happy it can be perceived by others. This is an aspect of our Ki. Positive or negative, our state of mind is expressed through our bodies and our actions. Try to maintain a positive, happy feeling throughout practice.

Intention and attention are also important aspects of our Ki. In the exercise we call unbendable arm, you raise your arm up and in a relaxed manner, if your training partner was to bend you arm so that your wrist is brought back to your shoulder it would be easily bent. If you extend your attention to a distant target, as if your arm is gently reaching out towards that target, it will be much harder for your partner to bend your arm.

quotes and thoughts on training

"As your training progresses, always remember that the key to gaining the ability for spontaneous and creative technique lies in good ukemi."
— Mitsugi Saotome Sensei

Aikido is not an easy martial art. However, it is accessible to anyone who has a desire to train. During your practice you will go through high and low points, at times you will feel overjoyed and fulfilled. At other times you will feel exhausted. Whichever the case, as you walk along the Aikido's "path" you will have countless eye-opening encounters, learn about your own self, and refine your ability to judge and make decisions.
Through the practice of Aikido, it is possible to experience the process of personal growth in harmony with others and your surrounding.

– Okamoto, Yoko (from Sandokai Aikido Kyoto website)

Aikido training: a guide for the perplexed
(by Pádraic, from Atlantic Aikido, Galway website)

All sports have their traditions, whether it’s rules of play, training costumes, or expected standards of behaviour. In that respect, aikido is no different.

However, since aikido is rooted in Japanese culture, it can be difficult to understand for people who are unfamiliar with traditional martial arts, at least in the beginning.

This is not something to worry about if you are thinking of starting. Everybody should figure out the basics of what aikido is about after a few training sessions. However, if you want to know more, here is a short explanation, based around two key concepts, kihon and ukemi.

Kihon

Most aikido training is dedicated to the development of kihon (基本), meaning ‘basics’ or ‘fundamentals’. In other words, training is not fighting. It is certainly not about trying to recreate self-defence scenarios. Instead, the exercises are meant—over time—to build up fundamental fighting skills.

One fundamental skill is tai sabaki (体捌き): learning to move your body freely and efficiently, to stay relaxed and keep a stable posture.

Another fundamental skill is understanding how to use contact. That is why beginners’ practice often starts with a partner grabbing your wrist. This is not a self-defence scenario. Instead, it is a method for learning how it feels to be grabbed, how to keep your body free when under restraint, and how to use that connection in order to take over your partner’s centre of gravity.

Fundamental training develops perception of distance and timing (maai 間合い). When the attacker progresses from grabbing the wrist to the elbow or shoulder, they are moving closer and applying more control. We learn to adapt our techniques accordingly. When they progress on to simple strikes, the distance changes again, and now we must also start to develop timing as well.

Aikido has perhaps hundreds of techniques, but very many are variations on a small core set. The purpose of learning so many techniques is not to give you a huge number of options, but rather to develop a set of fundamental skills that you can apply in any situation.

Ukemi

In normal practice, there are two different roles, with each partner taking turns in each role. One partner initiates an attack (a grab or strike) and is afterwards thrown or pinned. This person is called uke (受け), meaning ‘receiver’, the person who receives the throw or pin. The defender is tori (取り), meaning ‘taker’, the person who takes control of the action.

The role of uke is called ukemi (受身), and this is crucial to the development of good aikido practice.

For beginners, ukemi involves learning to fall safely, without injury or fear of injury. To avoid injury, throws are executed very gently in the beginning. But when a person becomes more confident at falling, they give their partner the opportunity to practise with greater power, eventually approaching a more realistic application.

At post-beginners level, ukemi involves learning to stay safe, by recognising where you are vulnerable and moving into a better position. This is why aikido is not simply throwing and falling down, but involves continuous movement, as both partners work intelligently to improve their position.

At an advanced level, ukemi involves constructive resistance. An experienced uke plays the same role, as the person who falls, but knows how to put toriunder more and more pressure, according to their level. A knowledgeable uketherefore takes on the role of teacher. He or she will not block the technique of a beginner still trying to learn the basics, but they will show a more experienced person where their weaknesses are.

Advanced ukemi requires knowledge and experience. It is not recommended to try to block a technique without knowing what you’re doing. A person who is either skillful or simply very strong may be able to apply it anyway, leading to potential injury.

It also requires good judgment. An uke who blocks their partner just to satisfy their own ego will teach nothing and learn nothing themselves.

The very best uke can allow their partner to throw freely and with all of their power, while at the same time helping them to recognise where they need to improve. These people embody the very best ideals of aikido training.

Conclusion

The aikido training method may be not immediately understandable to people who are used to modern sports training, since it is based on an older Japanese tradition. There is much more going on than meets the eye.

The method evolved originally as a way to learn and practise potentially dangerous techniques in a controlled environment. There are other reasons to preserve it though. It teaches you to experience ‘winning’ as well as ‘losing’ in equal measure throughout every class. You must also learn to read and adapt precisely to every training partner, regardless of their level or ability. These aspects offer life lessons that go beyond martial arts.

With patience and perseverance, anyone can learn this art and appreciate the richness of its tradition.

various exercises and techniques – weeks 1 & 2

various exercises and techniques – weeks 3 & 4