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What
to wear
Wear loose comfortable clothing suitable for exercising and
that can withstand some tugging and pulling. Do not wear shoes,
socks, metal objects (such as barrettes or watches) or jewelry.
If you have long hair, it is highly advisable that you keep
it pulled back with some type of soft band. Maintain good personal
hygiene.
If
you are going to dedicate any amount of serious time to studying
Aikido, you should obtain a gi (uniform).
You are required to have and wear a gi by the time you reach
yellow belt (20 hours).
Practice
time
Classes are held in the Lesbian and Gay Community Center
at 1401 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC. Practice time is currently
10:30 AM to Noon on Saturday morning.
We warm
up at the beginning of class; if you come late, you should warm
yourself up prior to participating. Do not begin practice without
consent from the instructor. If you need to quit practice for
any reason, quietly notify me. If you have any injury during
or prior to practice, please notify me of that as well.
Always work
within your own limits. Obviously, different people have different
limits, but the same person can have various limits depending
on the day. Do your best but do not over-exert yourself. Safety
is primary in consideration. If you notice any unsafe condition
or behavior, alert me immediately.
Fugakukai International Aikido Association
The Fugakukai International Aikido Association sanctions our
Aikido practice. Each member must join Fugakukai upon attaining
green belt level (40 hours). Members of Fugakukai receive international
recognition of their rank. Other benefits of membership iinclude
the opportunity to attend Fugakukai clinics and to purchase
training films.
Currently member dues are $45 a year.
Bowing
In all Japanese martial arts, bowing is used to show respect.
Bowing is a mental pause that reminds you that you are practicing
with another human being who deserves to be treated with respect
and not as a rag doll. Bowing can also be a sign of thanks or
appreciation, especially when bowing to a higher ranked person.
Bowing to a place, such as the dojo (training place) or on a
mat, serves as a reminder to yourself to leave the day’s
problems behind you and to focus on the current training.
Times
to Bow
When entering or leaving the dojo
When entering or leaving the mat area
At the beginning and end of class
Whenever you change partners
At the beginning and end of each exercise
If in doubt! You can never be too polite.
How
to Bow
A formal bow is done when entering or leaving the dojo or when
the entire class is bowing to the instructor(s). To bow formally,
place both feet together at the call to attention (kiotsuke).
Your hands should slide from your upper legs down to your knees.
At the same time, bend at your hips while keeping the back straight,
the shoulders back, and your head up. Always look at whom you
are bowing to. Optional: Women and men’s hands may slightly
differ when bowing. Women may slide their hands down the front
of their legs while men always keep their hands on the side
of their hips/legs.
An informal
bow is done during class time when there is not time for a formal
bow. In these situations, body posture is the same, but the
legs may be apart and the hands slide from the hips down or
the hands gently slap the hips.
Practice
and Instruction
Do not practice or teach anything that you have not
been specifically been told to do. Do not practice anything
you have not been taught. When an instructor is explaining
a technique or making any type of announcement, stop practicing.
If you practice while having a technique explained, you may
miss a fine point.
No technique
is undefeatable! In order for techniques to become effective,
they have to be practiced with a cooperative partner. Unless
instructed to resist by the teacher, help your partner by not
resisting techniques. However, do not “give the technique
away” by manipulating yourself into the correct movement
when your partner has difficulty. Not allowing the learner to
do the technique him/herself through resistance or over-compliance
results in everyone learning slower.
Feel free
to ask questions when you don’t understand a technique.
But please be patient if the instructor is helping someone else
or wait until the instructor finishes explaining a technique.
Addressing
the instructor
Typically the instructor for a class should always be called
sensei or by their title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.). Due
to the informal nature of the way I teach, I appreciate use
of my first name. In any other dojo, however, an instructor
should ALWAYS be addressed by title or as sensei. Any
other form of address is extremely disrespectful
Asking
questions
If you need to ask a question and the person you need
to ask is working or observing at the time, do not disturb his/her
practice. Breaking someone's concentration could lead to a dangerous
situation. Wait patiently nearby and you will be recognized
at an appropriate time.
Rank
System (Kohei / Sempei)
If
a dispute arises over how a technique should be executed, the
lower rank should always defer to the opinion of a higher rank
in the matter. If the higher rank is uncertain about the technique
or cannot properly answer the question, then the next higher
rank should be consulted.
This is called the kohei /sempei system. Kohei are all lower
ranked students. Sempei are all senior students.
Gi
(Uniform)
You should purchase a white or natural colored gi with
no markings on it ONLY. No piping or patches are to be worn
on the gi except for one organizational patch that may be worn
on the left breast of your gi.
A single weave gi is perfectly appropriate for beginners, although
a double weave is sturdier. Judo gi is what most Fugakukai members
wear, but you may choose a karate gi.
Keep your gi clean and neat and in good repair.
When fixing
your gi, turn away from your partner in aikido. Be careful to
try not to turn your back to the instructor when turning from
your partner (unless your partner is your instructor).
You may
have seen pictures of some Aikidoka wearing black skirts. These
pleated skirts are called hakama. The practice
of wearing hakama varies by organization. In Fugakukai, only
the dan (black belt) ranks wear hakama, and only on special
occassions.
Food
and Health
Do not chew gum in class.
Do not come to class intoxicated or after having any amount
of alcoholic beverages. Students who have had any level of detectable
alcohol will not be allowed to practice that day. Students who
are impaired for any reason will not be allowed to practice.
Do not use drugs (prescription, over the counter, or otherwise)
that impair judgment, mental capacity, or the ability to react
normally prior to class.
Do not wear jewelry or hard objects on the matt.
Be careful of what and how much you eat prior to class. Do not
have a heavy meal prior to class
Submitting
(Tapping Out)
Submission to a technique is accomplished by “tapping
out.” This involves slapping the mat, the side of your
leg or body, or your partner’s body lightly, but firmly,
twice. Submission occurs when tori has gained a superior position
from which uke cannot recover. For example, when an arm or wristlock
has been applied to uke and the arm or wrist is “locked.”
Uke should learn to realize when a joint is locked (at its maximum
extension) and not wait to feel pain. Uke also learns to need
when he/she has been defeated, since with our method of slow
and careful practice we do not always take techniques to their
ultimate end and slowness sometimes presents the illusion that
techniques can be escaped, when, if practiced at “normal”
speed, they would not be.
Some techniques
involve a definite end to them where uke must signal his/her
submission by tapping out. Not submitting under these circumstances
is disrespectful and signals to tori that uke remains aggressive.
If both
hands are bound and you cannot tap or slap, then you may tap
the mat with your foot or shout maitta,(my-ate-ah) which means
“I surrender.”
How
to Sit in Class
The most respectful ways to sit are seiza (folded legs - the
way my email icon is sitting) and ansza (cross legged). In seiza
the legs are folded under the body with the right big toe slightly
touching the left big toe. The back should be straight and hands
should be rested on the thighs or in a folded position between
the legs. In ansza, the legs are crossed “Indian style”
with the back straight and the hands resting in a similar manner
as with seiza.
Admittedly,
the legs get tired in both these positions until they have been
practiced numerous times. In this case, sit comfortably but
politely in another position, but do not sprawl or lie down
on the mat since this is extremely disrespectful. Again, seiza
and ansza are the most respectful positions, and you are encouraged
to practice them often, especially seiza.
Important
Japanese Terms
Although I have a more comprehensive list here, these are the
five word you should absolutely know before stepping onto the
mat.
Matte (mah-teh)
= STOP IMMEDIATELY!
If you hear an instructor say this word, you should instantly
stop whatever you are doing. Do NOT finish a technique or movement
- stop in mid-stream. This term may be used to stop a dangerous
action the instructor sees but cannot get to in time.
Maitta (my-ate-ah) = I surrender
Hajime (ha-gee-may) = begin /start
Kiotsuke (key-oots-kay) = attention
Rei (ray)= bow
Demonstrations
When
you are doing a rank (or other) demonstration, you are performing
a kata. This requires that you follow a set series of procedures
performed in an exact manner. Your instructor will provide you
with specific details on demonstrating your techniques, but
there are some common rules that must be followed at all times.
These are:
1. When you enter
the mat, your partner becomes your enemy. When demonstrating
your kata, never take your eyes off your opponent.
2. Maintain good
stances throughout your demonstration. Always be aware of the
distance between you and your opponent.
3. Remember and mind
good aikido principles. Even if you forget a technique or do
not perform it as prescribed, you should still show good aikido
skill.
Final
Thoughts: Guidelines for Practice
The
following guidelines were adapted from a set of principles defined
by the founder of Aikido, Morehei Ueshiba. They are intended
to promote safe, enjoyable, and respectful practice and they
are valid in any martial arts environment, not just Aikido.
If you keep them in the forefront of your mind, you can’t
go too wrong.
1. Aikido can decide
between life and death with a single strike, therefore students
must carefully follow the teacher’s instructions and must
not compete to see who is strongest.
2. Aikido teaches
how to deal with multiple attackers. Students must train themselves
to be alert, not just to the front but to all sides and the
back. You must also maintain a healthy level of tension.
3. Training should
always be conducted in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere.
4. The instructor
teaches only one small aspect of the art and gives hints to
guide you. The versatile applications of the art must be discovered
by each student through incessant practice and training. Do
not be satisfied with what has been taught at the dojo. Digest,
experiment with, and develop what has been learned. Improve
the art. Do not engage in futile efforts to learn a great number
of techniques but rather study the techniques one by one and
make each one your own.
5. In daily practice
first begin with sufficient warm-up exercises and then progress
to more intense practice. Never force anything unnaturally or
unreasonably; work within your limits. If this rule is followed,
then anyone can train in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere and
not be injured.
6. The purpose of
Aikido is to train the mind and body and to produce sincere,
honest people who will improve the world. Do not randomly reveal
techniques to others, for this might lead to techniques being
misused.
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