{"id":1280,"date":"2023-02-05T16:21:45","date_gmt":"2023-02-05T21:21:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/floridaaikikai.com\/newest\/?page_id=1280"},"modified":"2023-02-12T13:15:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-12T18:15:34","slug":"beginners","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/floridaaikikai.com\/newest\/beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Beginner’s Information"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Beginner’s Information<\/span><\/h3><\/div>
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Message from Peter Sensei<\/h3><\/div>
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Welcome to Florida Aikikai!<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
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Don\u2019t worry if it all feels awkward and clumsy at first. Try to relax and enjoy yourself. In time, techniques begin to look familiar, hands and feet get sorted out, and rolls become second nature. Rest assured, everyone you see on the mat was once where you are now.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
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It’s important to understand that training is not just about memorizing a bunch of techniques. You are slowly changing the way your body and mind respond to conflict and stress. Through many hours of practice you\u2019ll become more alert, flexible, centred, and attuned to the world around you. Try to focus on this gradual change in yourself and with time your movements will develop precision and power.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
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Training in Aikido teaches you how to control an aggressor by instinctively blending with the power and movement of the attack and re-directing the attacker into a throw or pin. Mastering something as subtle as this takes time and patience. Don\u2019t just try to knock your partner down at any cost. Pay attention to the details of the technique you are practicing and use the principles of Aikido movement to make your techniques effective.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
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Pay particular attention to your ukemi*. Strive to be responsive and flexible so that you are able to receive any technique from nage** in a safe and realistic manner. Sincere practice develops a supple, strong body, a calm, aware mind and an open, vital spirit. The physical, mental and spiritual benefits of Aikido training will enhance the overall quality of your daily life.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
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*ukemi (oo-keh-me) – attacking, following and falling<\/div>\n
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** nage (nah-gay) – the person who is attacked and executes the technique<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=”Aikido” tab_id=”1675631879656-036e92bc-d93b”][vc_single_image image=”1296″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Although the roots of Aikido technique reach back into the fighting styles of feudal Japan, present day Aikido is the creation of Morihei Ueshiba, commonly referred to as O Sensei<\/strong>, meaning great teacher. O Sensei studied a variety of traditional martial arts including Daito-ryu Jujutsu, Kenjutsu and Sojitsu. He became one of the most renowned martial artists of his day.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]O Sensei was also a follower of the Omoto religion and a man of high spiritual understanding. He came to the realization that fighting is a futile means of resolving conflicts, that violence only creates more violence. O Sensei understood that ultimate victory came from not fighting at all. He saw that by manipulating and harmonizing with an attackers movement a fight can be completely avoided. In this way Aikido became an actual physical expression of his spiritual beliefs.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]O Sensei continued his practice of Aikido until his death at age 86 in 1969. After he passed away his son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, became the first doshu (keeper of the way) and oversaw the development of the Aikikai Hombu organization and the building of the Aikikai Headquarters in Tokyo\u2014Hombu Dojo. After Kisshomaru Ueshiba died his son, Moriteru Ueshiba, became the third and current doshu.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Uniform” tab_id=”1675631879672-6a0177ec-6d1e”]

Gi (Uniform)<\/h3><\/div>[vc_column_text]New students receive a free, white Aikido gi<\/strong> as part of our Adult Intro Package<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]When you put on your gi top, make sure that the left side is on the outside. You may wear a t-shirt under your gi top, or just the top by itself. There are lots of pictures and videos online that show how to put on and care for your gi. Please feel free to ask a Florida Aikikai student to help you.[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=O-eFGnVhuRw” title=”How to tie your belt”][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Etiquette” tab_id=”1675631899201-d3752dec-5f31″][vc_single_image image=”1304″ img_size=”full”]

Before class<\/h3><\/div>[vc_column_text]Make sure your hands and feet are clean; remove earrings, necklaces, and heavy rings; check that your gi is neat, and your fingernails and toenails short! When you enter the mat bow in the direction of the picture of O Sensei<\/strong> (great teacher). If you are late to class, wait\u00a0at the edge of the mat until the instructor gives you permission to join the class, then thank him or her with a bow.[\/vc_column_text]

The beginning of class<\/h3><\/div>[vc_column_text]When the instructor is ready to start the class, sit with the other students in line at the front of the dojo. Beginners sit at the far right of the line. It is traditional to sit in seiza<\/strong> [say-zah]<\/em> (on your knees) but you may sit with your legs crossed if seiza is uncomfortable. When the instructor bows to O Sensei\u2019s picture, follow suit. Then bow to the instructor and say “Onegaishimasu”<\/strong> [Oh-nay-gah-ee-shee-mahs]<\/em>\u00a0which is Japanese for \u2018please\u2019, when asking for a service \u2013 in this case meaning \u2018please teach me\u2019.[\/vc_column_text]

During class<\/h3><\/div>[vc_column_text]After the warm up and the demonstration of the first technique, bow to the instructor. Bow to your partner before beginning practice. In this case, Onegaishimasu<\/strong> means, “please practice with me”. Whenever the instructor claps or calls for attention bow to your partner, move to the side of the mat, and sit in seiza or cross-legged. Don\u2019t sit directly in front of the kamiza<\/strong> (the area at the front of the room where O Sensei\u2019s picture is displayed). When the instructor tells the class to continue practicing, bow to the instructor, bow to your partner, and resume practicing. When it is time to change partners, students bow to their partners. Once the class has started, do not leave the mat area without speaking to the instructor. Any time you step off or onto the mat bow to O Sensei\u2019s picture. There is no shame in having to stop to catch you breath. Sit in seiza or cross-legged at the edge of the mat until you are ready to resume practicing[\/vc_column_text]

The end of class<\/h3><\/div>[vc_column_text]At the end of class straighten up your gi facing away from the kamiza. Line up in seiza and, as before, bow to O Sensei\u2019s picture and then to the instructor, saying “Domo arigatou gozaimasu”<\/strong>, [Doh-moh ah-ree-gah-toe go-zah-ee-mahs]<\/em> which means \u2018thank you\u2019. Finally bow to everybody who you practiced with. Florida Aikikai is your dojo. Take pride in its appearance. The mat should be swept and the dojo cleaned after each class.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Some students choose not to bow for religious reasons.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Training” tab_id=”1675631910754-ed86d78a-04f7″][vc_single_image image=”1307″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The aim of Aikido is to develop the truly human self, to train mind and body to be strong yet flexible, and to produce sincere, earnest people. It should not be used to display ego, in any kind of competition, or to hurt your partner. Students must carefully follow the instructor\u2019s teaching and not compete to see who is the strongest. Instead, maintain a modest attitude and apply yourself to perform the techniques correctly.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Students must practice being alert and aware of people practicing on all sides so as to avoid collisions. Always practice the exact technique in the way that was demonstrated by the instructor. Do not overly correct your partner in class. We learn best through experience, not words. Use your ukemi to help correct your partner\u2019s movements. Leave the verbal explanations to the instructor.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]In daily practice begin by gently moving and stretching your body, then progress gradually to more intensive practice. Never force anything unnaturally or unreasonably at any time. All practice must be adapted to the skill level, physical condition, limitations, and age of the partners training together. By following this rule people of any experience level, age, and gender can all practice Aikido without hurting themselves.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Training should be conducted in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”USAF” tab_id=”1675631926914-e0263c65-ec34″][vc_single_image image=”1309″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The United States Aikido Federation<\/a> is a non-profit organization made up of affiliated Aikido dojos and clubs from all areas of the United States. It is the only Aikido organization within the United States with an unbroken affiliation to the Ueshiba family and the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World Headquarters in Japan.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The USAF serves the interest of its affiliated dojos by developing and improving the practice of Aikido, establishing grading standards, and representing the interests of its members in the Aikikai Foundation. It promotes many seminars and training camps throughout the United States and publishes a regular blog.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]To support the USAF each member dojo is required to pay a yearly fee, as is each Aikido student. For an individual student membership the charge is $50 per year. Once you become a member after you pass your 6th kyu test you receive a USAF membership card and Yukyusha record book.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1311″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.usaikifed.com\/”][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Testing” tab_id=”1675641721222-d8b2432f-f5e1″][vc_single_image image=”1325″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]We adhere to the ranking and testing structure of the USAF, which is based on a traditional Japanese ranking system consisting of kyu<\/strong> (below black belt) and dan<\/strong> (black belt) ranks. The kyu rank curriculum focuses on technical principles in order to build a solid foundation for advanced aikido practice. After black belt, training becomes more focused on the subtleties of aikido and students begin to develop their own style.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Most adult students complete their first test and achieve their first rank within the first few months of practice. As training progresses, tests become less frequent and cover a broader range of techniques.[\/vc_column_text]

Your first test: 6th kyu<\/h3><\/div>[vc_column_text]Your first test is designed to teach you the basic body movements that will be your foundation. It is advisable to start preparing for the test right away, a little at a time. Don\u2019t worry if you can\u2019t remember all the Japanese terminology\u2014the most important thing is to get familiar with the basic movements. You can take the test after 20 classes. Please check in every time you come to class (one check-in per day).[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n