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How to dress
The grades
Practice
Visitors
How to dress
When you practice Aikido, you have to wear a gi, which is the training costume in many martial arts. The gi is made of white cotton. There are large trousers and a vest that you tie with a belt - the belt itself is black or white according to your grade. Women usually wear a shirt under the vest.
You can also wear a hakama on top of the trousers when you have reached a particular grade - it depends on your club, country and gender. Its colour is usually black of navy blue, but you can find pictures of founder O Sensei with a white hakama. However, don't dream of wearing a white one before you are yourself an old and wizened Japanese master whom nobody can defeat...
Here is the proper way of putting on the hakama:
And here is the proper way to fold it after your training.
The hakama is a traditional japanese garment. In Aikido, its dark colour creates a striking contrast with the white vest which is reminiscent of the opposed but complementary concepts of the yin and the yang. The right stance for an aikidoka is indeed to be very stable on his legs while keeping a relaxed posture.
The folds of the hakama are also special symbols: they represent compassion, faithfulness, trust, harmony, and politeness for the folds on the front and sincerity for the back fold.
Grades
the system of coloured belts used for grading (in Judo, for instance) is only for children in Aikido. The adults can only have a white belt at kyu grades and a black belt at dan grades.
Kyu grades run from the sixth to the first kyu, on the contrary dan grades begin with the first dan, also called shodan. Contrary to popular belief the first dan only means the aikidoka has learnt the basics of his martial art and can now truly begin its study: he is now a real beginner.
Kyu grades are taken within the club. One is granted a kyu grade according to one's technical level, of course, but also one's attitude and one's mental and spiritual progress.
The dan grades are taken in front of a jury and are mostly relevant to the technical skills of the aikidoka and what can be expected of him considering his age and abilitites.
It is difficult to give an estimation of the time one needs to reach a certain grade since it depends on application, behaviour, earnestness, or how many hours a week one practices. However, don't expect to have a black belt in any martial art before a few years.
Practice
Bowing
There are two types of bows: a standing bow called ritsurei and the sitting bow or zarei. For the standing bow one must bend forward the torso without letting the nape show (which would be dangerous and impolite). For the zarei, one must first be kneeling with the knees slightly apart, sitting on the feet and the back straight: this is called 'sitting in seiza'. One must then put one's hands flat in front of the knees and bend over so that the forehead almost touches the hands. For a real samurai impersonation, you should first lay flat on the floor your left hand, and afterwards put the right back on your knee first so that your right hand is free most of the time to unsheath your sword if attacked. Of course, you're supposed to be in good company...
The proper etiquette There are various rules in a dojo which you are supposed to follow for a safe and respectful practice. There can be some differences according to the clubs but most are common in every dojo.
Weapons
They should be put away when you are not using them, but still within easy reach. Keep them close to yourself when moving on the mat so that you don't harm anyone. bow to someone if you borrow or lend them a weapon. Never give someone a weapon with the edge of the blade towards them, it is considered aggressive.
All these rules may seem constraining, useless and hard to remember. However, they are a code of polite and safe behaviour that you will quickly learn if you follow the lead. They are nothing more than a way of saying thank you to your partners, your teacher and of course O Sensei. Some of the rules are also here to make sure everyone can practice in the safest way possible, therefore do not ignore them.
You may very well here someone mutter something intelligible: don't worry, it's only thank you or please in Japanese.
Visitors
It is of course possible to come and watch an Aikido lesson provided you follow a few rules:
The grades
Practice
Visitors
How to dress
When you practice Aikido, you have to wear a gi, which is the training costume in many martial arts. The gi is made of white cotton. There are large trousers and a vest that you tie with a belt - the belt itself is black or white according to your grade. Women usually wear a shirt under the vest.
You can also wear a hakama on top of the trousers when you have reached a particular grade - it depends on your club, country and gender. Its colour is usually black of navy blue, but you can find pictures of founder O Sensei with a white hakama. However, don't dream of wearing a white one before you are yourself an old and wizened Japanese master whom nobody can defeat...
Here is the proper way of putting on the hakama:
And here is the proper way to fold it after your training.
The hakama is a traditional japanese garment. In Aikido, its dark colour creates a striking contrast with the white vest which is reminiscent of the opposed but complementary concepts of the yin and the yang. The right stance for an aikidoka is indeed to be very stable on his legs while keeping a relaxed posture.
The folds of the hakama are also special symbols: they represent compassion, faithfulness, trust, harmony, and politeness for the folds on the front and sincerity for the back fold.
Grades
the system of coloured belts used for grading (in Judo, for instance) is only for children in Aikido. The adults can only have a white belt at kyu grades and a black belt at dan grades.
Kyu grades run from the sixth to the first kyu, on the contrary dan grades begin with the first dan, also called shodan. Contrary to popular belief the first dan only means the aikidoka has learnt the basics of his martial art and can now truly begin its study: he is now a real beginner.
Kyu grades are taken within the club. One is granted a kyu grade according to one's technical level, of course, but also one's attitude and one's mental and spiritual progress.
The dan grades are taken in front of a jury and are mostly relevant to the technical skills of the aikidoka and what can be expected of him considering his age and abilitites.
It is difficult to give an estimation of the time one needs to reach a certain grade since it depends on application, behaviour, earnestness, or how many hours a week one practices. However, don't expect to have a black belt in any martial art before a few years.
Practice
Bowing
There are two types of bows: a standing bow called ritsurei and the sitting bow or zarei. For the standing bow one must bend forward the torso without letting the nape show (which would be dangerous and impolite). For the zarei, one must first be kneeling with the knees slightly apart, sitting on the feet and the back straight: this is called 'sitting in seiza'. One must then put one's hands flat in front of the knees and bend over so that the forehead almost touches the hands. For a real samurai impersonation, you should first lay flat on the floor your left hand, and afterwards put the right back on your knee first so that your right hand is free most of the time to unsheath your sword if attacked. Of course, you're supposed to be in good company...
The proper etiquette There are various rules in a dojo which you are supposed to follow for a safe and respectful practice. There can be some differences according to the clubs but most are common in every dojo.
- When coming on the mat and sometimes when coming into the dojo, bow to the portrait of founder O Sensei or the calligraphies on the wall. Same thing when leaving the mat and the dojo. This is a sign of respect and not of devotion.
- The lesson will begin and end with the pupils sitting on a line at the end of the mat facing the portrait, from the most graded to the right to the less graded on the left. The teacher is sitting in the middle of the mat. Teacher and pupils will bow to the portrait and then bow to each other.
- If you are late, do not get on the mat but wait for the instructor to give you permission to begin. Bow to O Sensei.
- Before and after having practiced with someone, bow to them to thank them.
- When the teacher signals everyone should stop the technique they are doing (usually by clapping his or her hands) go back immediately to the end of the mat.
- When on the mat and not practicing sit in seiza (kneeling), for instance when your teacher is explaining or demonstrating a technique. Bow to him when he or she is finished. You may sit cross-legged if you cannot kneel.
- Try not to leave the mat except if you are injured or feeling sick.
- Do not shout for the teacher, but wait for him to finish his explanation and come near you. you should not bother the other practitionners.
- Respect those who have reached a higher grade than you and do not try to correct them: it is not very polite...
- Try not to speak too much so that you don't trouble anyone's concentration.
- The dojo must be kept clean. Don't eat or drink on it, do not walk with shoes on it.
- Your gi must be clean and properly put on. Do not hesitate to ask for someone to explain you the proper way to tie your belt. Do not borrow anyone's gi. Don't chew gums, don't wear jewelry: it could be dangerous. Keep your nails short.
- You are not here to try your strength against anyone: it is not the purpose of Aikido.
- Respect your partner and his / her limitations whether physical or technical. Everyone is here to learn and practice.
Weapons
They should be put away when you are not using them, but still within easy reach. Keep them close to yourself when moving on the mat so that you don't harm anyone. bow to someone if you borrow or lend them a weapon. Never give someone a weapon with the edge of the blade towards them, it is considered aggressive.
All these rules may seem constraining, useless and hard to remember. However, they are a code of polite and safe behaviour that you will quickly learn if you follow the lead. They are nothing more than a way of saying thank you to your partners, your teacher and of course O Sensei. Some of the rules are also here to make sure everyone can practice in the safest way possible, therefore do not ignore them.
You may very well here someone mutter something intelligible: don't worry, it's only thank you or please in Japanese.
Visitors
It is of course possible to come and watch an Aikido lesson provided you follow a few rules:
- Ask the teacher: he probably won't refuse you, but you will have proved you are well-bred.
- Do not disturb the lesson, that is do not eat, drink, or otherwise distract the practitionners while talking or moving about.
- Don't walk round the mat. You can stand or sit.
- Never go on the mat unless asked to. Remove your shoes then.