Joining the dojo
a brief overview for beginners
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu! In English: Welcome, and nice to meet you!
Evie graduating into the adult class at her original dojo, Aikido of Madison.
about Aikido
Aikido (合氣道) is a martial art founded in 20th century Japan by a man named Morihei Ueshiba, commonly referred to as O'Sensei (“great teacher”). It is often described as "that one where you use your opponent's force/energy against them." However, we’re interested in a more expansive definition that explores social dynamics, physical techniques, and the interplay between the two.
Every dojo has its own interpretation and expression of Aikido, and for some that includes self-defense. While we are interested in developing effective technique, self-defense and general combat applicability are not our focus. The working definition of Aikido that we use is:
a martially based physical practice by which we cultivate our ability to maintain our integrity and compassion in the midst of conflict.
As such, it is primarily a collaborative training environment. At the beginning of each class, and every time we switch training partners, we bow and say, onegaishimasu* ("please") which means, in this context, "please train with me.”
César demonstrating a sword form with Brian Levy Sensei, in New Orleans.
what happens during a class?
In practice, Aikido training consists of techniques involving joint manipulations, throws, and pins, taught within a curriculum of choreographed partner movements, referred to as kihon or kata. Once a basic level of technical proficiency is achieved, space is made for students to explore and apply these techniques in a free and spontaneous partnered practice called jiyu waza. While the efficacy of technique may be judged in many ways, one of our priorities is to care for the well-being of our training partner.
In any given class you may expect a combination of some or all of the following:
warm-ups including active and static strengthening exercises as well as dynamic stretching
footwork drills (on your own and/or in pairs)
falling drills (forward, backward, sideways)
sword and/or staff techniques (on your own and/or in pairs)
partnered technique practice
instructional demonstrations
verbal debrief/check-in as a group at the end of class, and sometimes partway through
Any and all of the above can be modified/adjusted to meet the needs of any given participant. When possible, please let the instructor know ahead of time if you have any specific needs. Our training is collaborative, which means that your questions, feedback and requests are welcome and desired, and we will work with you to create a space that allows you to participate to the extent of your ability and/or desire on any given day.
our shomen (head of room)
what expectations are there of members?
As with many such disciplines, the space in which we practice, known as a dojo, becomes a kind of "third place," and has a specific set of expectations. In a nutshell, the expectation is to show care and respect: for ourselves, our training partners, and the space in which we train.
Taking care of yourself includes a lot of things, but we want to emphasize the following: Your consent is yours to give and you may rescind it at any time, for any reason. If you need to adjust the exercise/movement/technique/fall being practiced by the group please do so, and if you're not sure how to, please ask! While training in martial arts can and perhaps should be uncomfortable at times, no one has the right to ask you to push yourself beyond your limits or to the point of injury.** Taking care of yourself may also include asking for: less physical intensity from your training partner, less verbal feedback, or more verbal feedback.
Taking care of your partner is taking all of the above, and applying it to them. They are giving you a gift in allowing you access to their body in order to study Aikido, and honoring that is paramount. It also means not coming to class when you are ill, or when you have reason to believe you may be infectious. To that point, we expect our members to keep up to date with vaccinations, barring any extenuating circumstances. Masking may be implemented depending on various factors including but not limited to: emergent infectious diseases, allergy season, and immunocompromised participants (read about our “culture of care”).
Taking care of the space includes the maintenance of it, and the collaborative nature of our training extends to the chores that happen before and/or after class. As such, we encourage everyone to help, so long as you have the time and capacity to do so. If you don't, please prioritize attending to your own needs. Another way in which we practice respect for the dojo is with a small, space-making ritual: bowing to the shomen (head of the room), upon entering the dojo and when you step on to and off of the mat. On your first day one of our members will review dojo specific customs with you and answer any questions that you may have.
One last thing: no shoes onto the mat! We look forward to welcoming you to Oakland Aikido.
*don't worry, we'll go over the pronunciation of any japanese terminology used in class
**it is important to note that all physical activity comes with an inherent risk of injury, and perhaps moreso for martial arts