Aikido
at RUSU and White Oak Dojo
Affiliation
The RUSU and Whiteknights dojo are
affiliated to the Institute of
Aikido which was a founder member of the Bristish Aikido Board. The
Technical Director of the Institute is Mr H. Foster
(7th Dan). The Institute teaches a traditional style of Aikido based
on a unified system of ken, jo and body technique.
Grades and uniform
Students begin training at a rank
of 7th Kyu (red belt) and then
progress through white, yellow, orange, green and blue belt to 1st Kyu
(brown belt) and then on to Dan grades (black belt). Dan grades wear
hakama ( pleated skirt-like trousers which formed a traditional part of
samurai clothing; the standard gi worn by kyu grades, as in Judo or
Karate, was originally underclothes.). Sandals of some sort should be
worn to the edge of the mat.
Training
Typically the instructor
demonstrates a technique and then the
students pair up (irrespective of rank) and practice the technique,
alternating the roles of nage (the thrower) and uke (the reciever).
Japanese names are used for the techniques but instructions are given
in
English.
Weapons training
Since many Aikido movements are
derived from the use of weapons,
training with weapons can improve performance and understanding of the
empty-handed Aikido techniques. At the RUSU and White Oak dojo
students train with jo (wooden staff) and bokken (wooden sword). This
takes the form of solo practices (suburi and kata) as well as partner
practices. Other weapons training includes defences against knife
(tanto) attacks and methods of disarming an opponent.
Behaviour and etiquette in the dojo
These are a few guidelines of what
to expect at an Aikido practice.
They are only general points to bear in mind rather than hard and fast
rules of behaviour; practices at the Reading University and White Oak
dojo are fairly relaxed, (etiquette at other dojo/organisations may
differ).
Bowing
Students bow at several points
during practice. At the front of the
dojo there is usually a picture of O Sensei and students perform a
standing bow in this direction when entering or leaving the dojo and
when stepping onto or off the mat. Kneeling bows are performed at the
start and end of practices, with the instructor (Sensei) at the front
of
the class and the students lined up in grade order at the side.
Students may also bow to new partners before practicing a technique,
and
when changing roles. It is also polite to bow to Sensei after he has
offered advice or corrected your technique.
The bowing does not have any
religous significance. In Japanese
society a bow is akin to the western handshake. By bowing, you show
respect and thanks to O Sensei, to the instructor or to your partner.
It
also provides a physical reminder to concentrate on the task at hand
and
to take into consideration the abilities of your training partner when
performing a technique.
Talking
Talking is not forbidden in the
dojo but should be about the
technique currently being practiced and should be kept to a minimum.
Techniques are easier to understand by observing and attempting to copy
others than by verbal description but, if you are having problems it is
perfectly acceptable to ask your partner or the instructor for help.