Deutsch EnglishWhy AIKIDO
- Ways to start with AIKIDO
- Sportswear
- First footsteps in the Dojo
Why AIKIDO?
Reasons to start with AIKIDO are as different as human beings are. Motivating forces are:
- To learn a martial art
- Enhancement on fitness level and perception of one's own body
- Increase ability to concentrate
- Spiritual growth
- ...
The objective is not to gain best performance in sports aspects, but to grow as human being (covering above aspects) meaning to become stronger and to gain equable disposition. Stronger and equable with respect to body and mind in the asian point of view meaning body and mind are one in the sense of 'two sides of the same medal'. These personal improvements are trained adapted on the requirements of the own nature.
To learn this you have to practise.
Hence by gaining experience under guidance of somebody who is practising AIKIDO for a long time. In other words learning with the body, which is different compared to learning with the 'thinking part' of the brain. Learning with the 'thinking part' of the brain by reading or listening is somewhat dangerous, as the principles are easy to understand by logical thinking, but it has to become a part of ourself which is a totally different story. For example it's easy to think 'I will not be afraid if this and this happens' but if the real situation is taking place it's not possible to be not afraid unless it's part of ourself to be not afraid on this situation.
Ways to start with AIKIDO
In principle there exist 3 ways how to start with AIKIDO.
You can participate in a beginners' course with all participants starting with AIKIDO within this course.
Beside of this the beginners' course can have a mixed AIKIDO level experience participation(beginners up to highly experienced people).
Or, as a third option, you can start within regular training sessions under special guidance of an advanced student for the first 2-3 training sessions.
So the question is which of these choices is best suited for your AIKIDO start?
To gain insight into this questions let us take a look on AIKIDO training.
You can find a lot of books dealing with the different aspects of AIKIDO. With respect to physical aspects AIKIDO is a way(DO) to harmonise(AI) energies(KI) which are by their nature against each other(attack-defense). To train this harmonisation the level of power or speed is not of interest, only the intention to attack is what counts. This means the attack can be done slowly, but with a high degree of intention to attack, which results in a slow execution of the AIKIDO technique, as the one executing the AIKIDO technique has to harmonise with the power/speed of the attack. As the objective is to learn not to withstand power but to harmonise with the power and redirect this power into a direction you want to have it the level of power used by the agressor is unimportant as long as power is used. This is resulting in the fact that the attack-AIKIDO technique can be done in whatever power/speed combination is appropriate to the two people training together. Hence if a beginner is one of the two people the whole sequence of movement can be executed very slowly. This is as well supported as AIKIDO has no competition. The goal of both training partners is to learn about the own behaviour in comparision to the partner and to grow out of this experience.
Based on this the recommendation is to start within a regular training session, or as second choice to participate in a mixed beginners' course.
The main reason compared to a 'beginners' only' course is that the trainings partner knows already how the sequence of movement should look like. This yields into a kind of personal trainer throughout the training leapfrogging the learning curve.
If it is a 'beginners only' course both training partners don't know the technique which often yields into pauses, as the partners have to wait for the trainer to obtain guidance.
I often heard from beginners 'But if I start AIKIDO together with advanced people I take away a good training period from them'.
This way of thinking is based on the western meritocracy. Indeed for the advanced Aikidoka(people training AIKIDO) it's the contrast. As a beginner moves different compared to somebody practising AIKIDO for a long time this is a highly appreciated opportunity for the advanced student to take a look at his current abilities to adapt to the partner and to harmonise the movements. Hence it is a give and take for the beginner and the advance student.
Taking a look from this angle this hurdle from beginners perspective is in reality not a hurdle for the advanced student but a support on his AIKIDO-way. Surprises like this come up to AIKIDO students on a regular basis.
Through this perception of oneself, other people and the environment changes. The amount of ways of acting we can use intuitive increases enabling very flexible reactions to naturally deal with situations and people. Basically this is how to understand the way(DO) of AIKIDO, the way of harmony(AI).
The way starts with the first step.
Take the chance and look in our Dojo. You are welcome.
If this is participation in a regular training session or a beginners' course with mixed participation is both working fine and more of a decision based on personal preference.
Sportswear
To start with AIKIDO as trainingsdress a tracksuit(long trouser, ideally without zipper; sweatshirt or T-shirt) is appropriate.
If you realise after a certain period of time 'AIKIDO is what I was always looking for' a Judo Dogi (Judo suit) is best choice. This one can be complemented by a Hakama, a cullotes which was worn in former times by japanes Samurai.
As AIKIDO is practised on Tatami(Judo-mat) shoes are not required, only slipper for the way from locker room to the Dojo.
First footsteps in the Dojo(sports hall)
AIKIDO is practised in a Dojo(sports hall designated to practise Budo[generic term of all japanes martial arts]).
What distinguishes a Dojo from a sports hall?
To put it into a nutshell it's the spirit and manner of the teacher and students.
Respect, concentration and openness for all senses are characteristic behaviour. These are reflected in a few simple to follow rules, which beginners learn within their first training unit.
As you can see to start with AIKIDO no previous knowledge is required, only curiosity and fun to move.