Zenshin Kokoro Aikido

Training & Practice Guide

Including:

*Obligation *Rules of the Dojo *Attitude, Spirit & Focus

*Training & Practice *Grades & Standards

*Exercises *break-fall & rolling techniques

Giri - Obligation

• You have a responsibility to the instructor(s), to other students and to yourself to inform the instructor(s) of any medical condition, treatment or injury that may have an affect on your ability to practice and train safely.
• You can always have a word in confidence if you prefer.
• If in doubt you should consult with and seek the opinion of your Doctor/Physician/Specialist and discuss your intention, prior to engaging in the practice and training of a martial art or any physical/sports endeavour.
• You must obtain appropriate insurance cover in order to train and practice, such cover is available with your Budo Licence Application form from the school/association you join.

· Bear in mind that whilst all reasonable care is taken it must be accepted by everyone (including practitioners, visitors and observers) that the risk of injury, and certainly the potential for injuries, is inherent in the practice and training of Aikido/Budo/Martial Ways and Arts.

· You should be aware and understand that by undertaking to practice and train in a martial way/art you are agreeing to the fact that such risks exists and you are accepting of those responsibilities and of those risks of your own choosing.

• We are all different (body types/personalities) yet practicing Aikido correctly and with proper attitude, the benefits can promote improved health, conditioning and well-being, body alignment/posture and help reduce stress

Rules of the Dojo

• Consideration for the art of Aikido, to others, to yourself
• When you attend the Dojo, try to ‘attend’ fully, to focus the mind, the body and the spirit
• Arrive for the class in good time
• Personal hygiene and a clean gi are very important (see note on obi/belts in the section on Kyu/Grades Téido – Standards below)
• Finger and toe nails should be kept clean and tidy
• No outdoor footwear to be worn in the dojo
• No jewellery to be worn (risk of damage or injury) Wedding rings can be taped over
• Bow when you enter or leave the Dojo
• Bow towards the Kamiza when you step onto or leave the tatami/mat
• Bow to the instructor when you receive guidance/instruction
• Bow to your training partner(s)
• Please note that bowing is not in any way a religious gesture, it is a matter of etiquette and respect
• Practice appropriately to your level, try not to force anything, you will progress
• Do not be in competition with another; egotism and arrogance are inappropriate
• Development of a healthy spirit and attitude are encouraged
• Appropriate drinks must be consumed off the tatami / training area
• Any rubbish must be deposited in the bins provided outside the dojo

• To facilitate and deepen your training and practice, there are a number of recommended books on Aikido / Budo listed on the Links page of this website. You can use the link to Amazon to check customer reviews and order the books (as well as an immense range of other books and goods) direct.

In regard to the philosophy of training consider….

*The Principles of Aikido (Saotome) * Karatedo (Funakoshi) *Traditions (Lowry)

*Beyond The Known (Dang) *Kodo: Ancient Ways (Furuya)

*Moving Toward Stillness (Lowry)

• The reading and study of good quality books on the subject can enhance a person’s training and understanding but reading and studying alone are not a substitute for actual practice under qualified and supervised instruction.

Táido – attitude, Shin – spirit, Kime – focus

Development within Zenshin Kokoro Aikido is based on several precepts

Your aim may be to practice Aikido to develop health, focus and balance.

Your aim may be to practice Aikido as a martial way/art, a ‘practical’ style.

You may aim to practice Aikido as an effective hybrid of the two.

Whatever your reason(s) for starting on the path….,

…there are no short cuts.

To develop properly in Aikido or any other martial way or art, takes, sincerity, discipline, dedication; and you should practice, to improve practice, to improve practice.

Keiko - Training and Practice

Techniques are demonstrated (one at a time) and, generally, students pair up to practice the technique they have just observed

· Weapons practice with bokken, jo and tanto, is an integral part of Aikido; training with such weapons assists in the development of co-ordination, focus, balance, distance, timing, spirit and awareness.

· It is important to practice and train with the right attitude physically, mentally and with proper spirit in order to develop in Aikido and to acquire the most benefit from the time and effort you and your fellow students put in.

· If you are unsure about something, don’t guess, ask.

· Be patient and work with your partner(s) to develop the principles and understanding of each technique.

· Applying the proper attitude in your Aikido practice and training can help you to develop and maintain a sense of awareness, and can assist in how you deal, not only with an attack or aggressive incident, by becoming less and less fazed or intimidated by your attacker(s) (armed or unarmed) but also the aftermath of an incident….

Enjoy your training, and be tolerant- no one is perfect

‘Movie trivia’ and Mixed blessings!… The media sometimes helps to promote Budo yet a common misconception is caused by the less than factual portrayal usually of the ‘hero(s)’ in martial arts films. Do not misunderstand, a lot of these type of films are good entertainment; yet some people watch such films and get carried away- thinking that they can join a martial arts school and within days or weeks they will be able to enter into battle against fifty or so ‘bad guys’ and walk away with little more than a scratch!

Any ‘instructors’ who exploit such misconceptions should know better.

Common sense should and must prevail

Be realistic- Aikido, Budo takes a great deal of commitment and practice- this is real life- not an action/martial arts film!

Be considerate of yourself and others….

• Genuine humility and courtesy were part of a samurai’s strength, not weakness.

· Learn all you can as tori*, nage* (pronounced nagay)

· And as uke* (ookay), it will strengthen your Aikido practice

· Both sides* are of equal importance as in the Yin and Yang symbol[.

People may change

Dynamics may change

Principles remain the same

[ Mixed emotions- it’s true- life can be pleasing or frustrating at times so…

Something for you to bear in mind…. [

· If you feel like you are not doing very well in your practice/training-

‘Maybe you feel you are having a bad training session’

Do not be despondent or feel inferior, work on your technique

and remember – it is a part of your gradual development

· If you feel like you are doing really well in your practice/training-

‘Maybe you feel you are having a good training session’

Do not be complacent or feel superior, work on your technique

and remember – it is a part of your gradual development

Integrity Balance Health Unity Courtesy Spirit

An additional consideration for our junior students (8-17 yrs)

• It is very important that all students pay attention to the instructions they receive in Aikido class
• Take great care when training and practicing Aikido…

• Behave sensibly while in the dojo.
• Do not fool about or ‘play fight’ during training, especially during weapons training.
• Do not eat or chew gum during training.

• If you have any questions, ask the instructor(s).
• Aikido is effective but takes a lot of practice to do properly.

Outside and away from the dojo

• Outside of the dojo remember your training and standards.
• Do not show off what you learn and do not try to bully others
• Do not allow others to bully you.

• If you are being bullied, let your parent/guardian know, or if at school… let your teacher know or contact:

Heros (Hull and East Riding Community

Anti-Bullying Project)

Tel: 08009154545 or 01482 214124

• The well-being of all students is important.
• Aikido is for the benefit of all and it must be remembered that a young person’s body (for instance the musculo-skeletal system) may still be in the relatively early stages of development, and so throughout the duration of the Aikido class, it is important that juniors take care during the practice of break-falls and defence techniques and that they do not attempt any excessive moves that may cause injury or unnecessary discomfort to themselves or others.
• With respect it should also be remembered that such classes are neither a crèche nor a playschool and it is the responsibility of parents/guardians that they observe their child/children in order that an extra safeguard is assured.
• Any concerns should be brought to the attention of the instructor(s).

Kyú - Grades / Téido – Standards

How long does it take to receive a black belt? … About 15 minutes if you go to a store and buy one. Seriously, if grading and status is all that you are after then think again… Whatever obi/belt you wear (whether white, a colour or black) does not necessarily denote quality…

Quality is proven by the standard of your ability, your attitude and integrity.

· Development, attitude, competency and understanding are continually assessed throughout each lesson.

· The syllabus and process for the grading is dictated by the sensei.

· Sempai(s) (senior kyu grades) may be invited to assist in a kyu grading.

· Candidate(s) will be requested/required to demonstrate a number of techniques and a level of understanding appropriate to the grade been tested for.

· Where appropriate, weapons will be included as part of the grade being tested for.

· Each grade up (or down!) is a way to determine your own progress in Aikido You should try to retain a sense of Shoshin- the ‘beginner’s mind’ at all times and never become complacent or too eager to grade.

· We, by tradition, use the western way for grades- symbolized by coloured obi/ belts, (some schools maintain the white belt up until dan grade.)

· Dependent on the school or Dojo contemporary thoughts can tend towards:

• Mudansha (kyu grade students) wear the same colour (a white belt) so as to keep everyone ‘even’.

or

• Mudansha (kyu grade students) wear different colour belts of grade in order to immediately identify those who have a greater level of ability and understanding and those who may not.

The negative.. On occasion, at some courses and events I have observed some students (of whatever adopted ‘belt style’) show themselves to be egotistical, hierarchal and ‘superior’ in how they have conducted themselves.

The positive.. There are also fine students who do have the integrity and spirit required in correct training and appropriate progress.

Of course all things are not exactly even.

Due to the interpretation and diversification of syllabus, and standards in training, (even within same organisations) I have also seen the difference of supposedly ‘same grade’ students display considerable differences in ability and understanding, and that carries with it its own inherent problems. We are all individuals of course, but there ought to be an overall balance in relation to the individual, the syllabus and the grade that person is awarded.

• One thing that undermines the integrity of the Art of Aikido, or any other Budo or Bu jutsu, is the distasteful practice of those instructors and schools that give grades merely for attendance, as favours or for financial gain.

Note: In our school grades are earned, no exceptions.

Also in our school the higher the grade, the greater responsibility that goes with it.

· As has been said, we by tradition use the western way for grades- symbolized by coloured obi/ belts, although, out of respect when visiting certain other organisations, our students are free to wear their white obis as a courtesy to their hosts.

· Incidentally, some schools suggest that the obi/belt should not be washed (thus the obi gradually darkens- allegedly indicating the owner’s ‘experience and knowledge’ and to wash the obi would ‘wash’ away the knowledge of the owner!) Ok, but what if the owner lost his/her obi? Would their knowledge disappear with it? I think not. Also upon success of reaching Dan grade does not the student receive a black belt to replace the white/previous colour? With all due respect…wash the obi, hygiene is important.

· In our school there is a healthy development of attributes of correct practice (including martial principles), encouragement (including appropriate guidance), spirit (including strength of mind) and humility (including an unassuming attitude).

· There is no elitism; neither egotism nor arrogance is tolerated.

Remember- Whatever obi/belt you wear (whether white, a colour or black) it does not necessarily denote higher quality;

Quality is proven by the standard of your ability, your attitude and integrity.

Aim to constantly improve the quality in your Aikido (practice, study and training).

Táiso / Undo – Exercises

Students are advised not to overstretch or force any of the exercises or moves.

In many Dojos, after the rei has been taken and before commencing practice of techniques, it may be customary to sit in seiza and spend a few moments preparing and focusing the mind for the training ahead, and then in order to minimise the risk of injury, to have a loosening up or warm up session of taiso / undo (exercises).

Dependent on the student’s ability the exercises are done at an easy up to moderate pace, in a ‘loose’ and relaxed manner.

These may include a variety of twisting, mobility and stretching exercises, to loosen up and ease the body.

Do not go extreme… the idea is to improve yourself… not injure yourself.

More specific Aiki taiso (Aiki exercises) may be included at any time in order to develop the ability of, and promote the understanding of, posture, movement, timing, balance, focus, energy, and awareness

Ukemi waza – break-fall techniques

& Kaiten waza - rolling techniques

After the initial loosening up there follows a session of various break-fall and rolling exercises and techniques, these help students to develop their ability, progress and confidence to roll or land safely and minimise the risk of injury e.g. after having been thrown/pushed/tripped.

A relaxed attitude will help you develop proficiency your break-falling techniques.

It is well known that with practice the student gradually becomes more relaxed and composed; this in turn helps their break-falling abilities which in turn raises their confidence and also helps to improve their Aikido generally- so the circle develops.

In essence - A relaxed attitude will help in all of your Aikido.

At the end of the training session some classes may have a ‘cooling or warm-down’ session, maybe including a short period of meditation or focus exercise.

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