My first week of Aikido

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[deluxe1668]

Hi,

Last week was my ever first week training in a Dojo. I think maybe I was training in Sat and Sun. The class was kind of mixed with different techniques.
I had about 15 mins of learning how to fall slowly; actually was rolling to the back and rolling to the front. And that's it. All the other time was learning how to use the circular motion slowly grab the attacker and the movement from the foot stepping. Then on Sun. we learn how to use weapon; a stick.
Because it is my first time on Aikido, don't know if the first class is always like these?
I thought I will be learning how to fall on the first few weeks. Then gradually learn how to stand and how to position my arms and legs...just wondering. :freaky:

Is there a system to learn Aikido?

[thomanil]

Hi,
Because it is my first time on Aikido, don't know if the first class is always like these?


Sounds like a pretty normal beginners class, yeah. :)

[Qatana]

Yeah, some dojos actually begin beginners at the beginning! My first month we were prepping for a shodan test so I started out on black belt techniques!

[deluxe1668]

Yeah, some dojos actually begin beginners at the beginning! My first month we were prepping for a shodan test so I started out on black belt techniques!

Wow!!! But don't you need to learn how to fall before how to fight? :rolleyes:

[James Davis]

Wow!!! But don't you need to learn how to fall before how to fight? :rolleyes:
It's important that we learn how to fall so our fellow students can learn technique. When our classmates know how to fall, we can throw them without worrying too much about their getting injured. Everything you learn will benefit you and your fellow aikidoka. ;) Have fun! :)

[Ron Tisdale]

Wow!!! But don't you need to learn how to fall before how to fight?

You are taking aikido to learn how to fight? I think you might have a misunderstanding about aikido...

Best,
Ron

[RoyK]

Hi Ivan! I'm only in aikido for nearly two years, but i've been to about 5 dojos, so i can share my experience:
I've seen some places that don't bother showing beginners how to fall (perhaps the instructor thought "they'll quit anyways, why waste my serious students' time), but everywhere else, they did it exactly like your place did; show you how to fall, make u practice it a bit, and then hop right into techniques.

You'll gradually learn how to fall more naturally over time, and your senior students (sempai) will hopefully be wise enough to throw you down gently until you do. If they don't, don't be afraid to say "i'm a beginner, please go easy on me, i'm not so sure how to fall".

Also, don't be afraid if falling down takes quite some time to learn. You will improve the more you do it, even without noticing. I still pay very close attention to the way I roll on warmups because I see tons of room for improvement.

[deluxe1668]

You are taking aikido to learn how to fight? I think you might have a misunderstanding about aikido...


What i mean by fight; i mean the techniques. Nevertheless, Aikido is a form of martial arts self defense. Am i right?

[Ron Tisdale]

It is a form of martial art / martial way, yes. Budo, specifically.

Does it teach you to fight? Not so sure. If you read the doka of the founder, he says aikido is not really about fighting. If you want to fight with someone, maybe boxing, or MMA would be good.

Does it teach you to defend yourself? I've heard from some pretty knowledgable sources that if you want self defense, buy a gun.

Aikido does have applications in the area of self-defense. But I personally would be wary of putting too much into that...train hard, pay attention, and outside of class, think for yourself a bit. I think that will go a long way to making your time in aikido usefull.

In most cases, in our society, fighting is not very usefull.

Best,
Ron

[Mark Freeman]

It is a form of martial art / martial way, yes. Budo, specifically.

Does it teach you to fight? Not so sure. If you read the doka of the founder, he says aikido is not really about fighting. If you want to fight with someone, maybe boxing, or MMA would be good.

Does it teach you to defend yourself? I've heard from some pretty knowledgable sources that if you want self defense, buy a gun.

Aikido does have applications in the area of self-defense. But I personally would be wary of putting too much into that...train hard, pay attention, and outside of class, think for yourself a bit. I think that will go a long way to making your time in aikido usefull.

In most cases, in our society, fighting is not very usefull.

Best,
Ron

I've been away for a while, and I come back to find Ron continuing to peddle solid common sense. :cool:

cheers,

Mark

[Amir Krause]

Hi,

Last week was my ever first week training in a Dojo. I think maybe I was training in Sat and Sun. The class was kind of mixed with different techniques.
I had about 15 mins of learning how to fall slowly; actually was rolling to the back and rolling to the front. And that's it. All the other time was learning how to use the circular motion slowly grab the attacker and the movement from the foot stepping. Then on Sun. we learn how to use weapon; a stick.
Because it is my first time on Aikido, don't know if the first class is always like these?
I thought I will be learning how to fall on the first few weeks. Then gradually learn how to stand and how to position my arms and legs...just wondering. :freaky:

Is there a system to learn Aikido?


Compared to our normal session for a beginner student, is sounds like your first lesson had too much in it. We normally teach some falling tehnicques, one tai-sabaki movement and one technique. the purpose of said technique is to give the student a some feeling and a feling of satisfaction, since otherwise people tend to be disappointed.


Amir

[Qatana]

Ok, what I meant was I was Doing the techniques, I certainly was not Receiving them! In fact I couldn't even learn ukemi until my shoulder healed from my first try!

[Adman]

Hi,

Last week was my ever first week training in a Dojo.
Hi Ivan! Welcome!

This is off topic, but I just had to mention how amused and surprised I was, to see myself performing in your avatar. :cool:

thanks,
Adam

[deluxe1668]

Hi Ivan! Welcome!

This is off topic, but I just had to mention how amused and surprised I was, to see myself performing in your avatar. :cool:

thanks,
Adam

I would love to do that too..... :D