Aikido Classes
What to expect in a class
When you first watch an Aikido class, seeing students falling down and getting back up again and again, you may wonder why do they look like they’re actually enjoying the class?
Like you, all students feel awkward when they first start. And, like you, wonder will they ever be able to do all this and have it look almost effortless!
The benefits of practicing Aikido can last a lifetime. And, like most things that have such value, to get these benefits you will progress once you commit and practice regularly.
The good news is that the students have been where you are and you will find students eager to help you learn, too! Here are some tips to help you know better what to expect when you step onto the mat for the first time.
"The benefits of practicing Aikido can last a lifetime. And, like most things that have such value, to get these benefits you will progress once you commit and practice regularly."
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Do not be intimidated about the Japanese words and numbers being used or not knowing what to do or how to do it. Everyone—yes, everyone!—is a beginner at one time and everyone learns what’s expected. The supportive nature and culture of the dojo (school) means that senior students help the new students. During class, the Sensei (teacher) will help you follow along and explain what to do.
When you come, please arrive about 15 minutes before the class starts to get dressed and help set things up.
Until you get your dogi (or gi, uniform), just wear comfortable exercise clothes.
Please be sure not to wear any jewelry or watches, as these can become caught and injure you or your partners. Too, please keep your fingernails and toenails short.
When you enter the dojo please remove your shoes. And, you will learn the Japanese custom of bowing with your head UP; paying respect to a picture of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido and to Saito Shihan, the founder of the tradition we practice (called Takemusu Aikido). It’s traditional for new students to line up on the left side of the mat and the senior students on the right side of the mat. It’s good manners to be sitting in line waiting for the instructor about a few minutes before Sensei steps on the mat. It’s not unusual for students to come early enough to stretch, warm up, or help another student with something particular.
The Sensei will lead the class by first all sitting and then bowing-in and then leasds a series of warm-up exercises and often some “ki” (energy) movements.
The order of the exercises is designed to gradually increase your circulation and prepare you for the techniques practiced in class. Students are also taught ukemi (rolling and falling to protect yourself during the execution of Aikido techniques) from early in their training. You are gradually exposed to advanced methods of rolling, increasing your confidence as well as your ability to remain safe.
While some have a background in gymnastics or other martial arts which include rolls, this usually feels awkward in the beginning for most of us. Throughout you should strive to relax and remember to breathe.
When the Sensei is ready to begin students will have a seat and the instructor will ask (usually) the senior student present to be a partner and then demonstrates a technique. After the demonstration, students will bow, get a partner, and start practicing the technique. This scenario is repeated during a typical class.
Sometimes Sensei will start a class with some weapons training with the bokken or jo. As explained elsewhere on our web site, this is not about learning to “fight” with wooden weapons, but is an essential part of developing special skills essential to Aikido, e.g., dynamic balance, centering, etc.
Students usually change partners for practice of another technique. They will alternate being Nage (the person executing the technique, or throwing) and Uke (the person receiving the technique, or being thrown) until the instructor claps hands or calls “Yame.” This means it is time that students stop, bow to their partner, and site up again to watch the demonstration of the next technique. You are taught a few Japanese words as part of this process.
At the conclusion of class, students line up behind the instructor, all facing the shomen (or “head” of the dojo where the pictures are). The instructor and students will bow toward the shomen, then the instructor will turn and bow to the class, and all students will bow in return.
You’ve just completed your first Aikido class!
Afterwards you may be a little confused, your thoughts swirling about, mimicking many of the circular movements you just tried. You may be wondering what on earth you just did because you’ve never done anything like it before.
Most new students find themselves smiling after class. It was so foreign… though almost joyful, uplifting, and very “alive!” Welcome to the wonderful world that is Aikido. We look forward to seeing you in the next class!
