Observing a Class – What You Will See
At the beginning of class student line up, seated on their knees. The sensei or instructor begins class with a bow. After bowing in students are led in some gentle stretching and breathing exercises. These are often followed by solo movement practice, ukeme or falling practice and finally students work in pairs or small groups. Paired practice involved on person taking on the role of attacker, “uke”, the other is the person who throws, or “nage.” The goal for the nage is to redirect the energy of the attack in a way that is safe for both people. The goal for uke is to deliver as centered an attack as possible to challenge the movement of nage, while remaining fluid and flexible. When nage is successful in neutralizing the attack it results in the attacker falling, rolling or getting taking down to the mat in a joint control technique.
In most classes, students of all levels train together. Often potential new students observing class remark that they could never do what they are seeing. Once on the mat, they discover that the approach at Emerald City Aikido is individual and gradual. New students work at their own pace and are always mentored by more experienced students. It is not unusual for the instructor to work with new students privately during some part of the class while more experienced students work together. Complex movements are often broken down to their fundamentals and practiced separately. In Aikido we also sharpen our skills, and knowledge of principles and techniques by working with the wooden sword, "boken", wooden staff, "bo" or "jo" and the wooden knife, "tanto." In observing weapons, you will see training that involves both solo movements and disarms.
In beginning Aikido, you will be using new muscles and learning new movements. It is therefore recommended that you attend more than once a week. This has the advantage of higher skill retention and a more enjoyable experience.
Most beginners sign on as General Members after their introductory special. General Membership allows you to come to as many classes as are offered and take advantage of theme classes and special trainings. As a new student you become valued resources to our dojo community, for through the initiation of new students into the art, the practice of all deepens.
