Other Teachers/Styles

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[akiy]

Going through some of the older AikiWeb Polls (http://www.aikiweb.com/polls/polls.html) here...

"Does your aikido teacher encourage you to see other teachers and aikido styles?"

(Results here (http://www.aikiweb.com/polls/results.html?poll_id=22).)

What's been your experience?

-- Jun

[MaylandL]

Originally posted by akiy
"Does your aikido teacher encourage you to see other teachers and aikido styles?"

What's been your experience?

-- Jun

Hello Jun

I regularly train at two dojos with the blessing of both senseis. Both are aikikai. I find they have different perspectives on training and that I have much to learn form them.

Occassionally I will train with some Kokikai practitioners.

All in all, the experience and the their different perspectives provide an excellent environment to learn and train.

Happy training :)

[batemanb]

I have been very fortunate in that regard. My dojo in the UK was very open minded, we were always told to go out and look at other Aikido, it was the best way to help develop our own Aiki.

Here in Japan we have four dojo`s with at least 11 different Sensei between them. We are encouraged to train at all of the dojo`s, and some of the Sensei will teach in the other dojo`s occasionally. Our Kaicho is also a director of both the Tokyo Aikido Renmei and the All Japan Aikido Renmei, he regularly arranges seminars with well known instructors which we are all encouraged to attend.

[Bronson]

Yes we're encouraged to do so. Not only with other aikido but with other arts in general. I haven't done so yet due mostly to time and money restrictions but I'm planning a visit to a AAA dojo about an hour from here.

Actually I've been taught to be wary of instructors that won't let you train with others.

Bronson

[SeiserL]

Sensei Phong of Tenshinkai Aikido invits them in. We often do seminars with guest instructors. Sensei Phong tends to be nonpolitical and doesn't much care what rank, style, or affiliation you are. You are also welcomed.

The Aikido principle of harmony applies to life.

Until again,

Lynn

[Aikiscott]

Hi there
In our dojo we are encouraged to train with different sensei's & in different styles as ours is the only dojo in our organisation at the moment.
A group of us usually make a trip to another dojo about 1hrs drive from where we are at least once a month & we are going to try a new Kokikai dojo that has opened in our area.
We have been welcomed & treated well in every dojo to date.Though of late we have had some strange things happen, such as our sensei being quizzed over the telephone by an anonymous caller, asking questions as to who gave him his various dan grades, is he currently Hombu certified etc.
Then one of our senior students rang a Dojo in Tasmania asking if it was OK if he came along to train with them whilst working down there. He was greeted by the National head of the organisation & was then grilled about our sensei, Organisation & then was told that he shouldn't be training with his organisation unless he was a member (He currently has an Interim membership) & that he had had reports about our organisation.
To me this seems strange, has anything like this happened to anyone else or is this an oddity found only in Australia.

[Paula Lydon]

I believe that if you're just starting out in martial arts then you should train 1 to 2 years in your (currently) chosen art with your primary teach, and THEN play around. It can be very confusing at the beginning. By all means, though, later travel, visit and expierence other teachers and styles in your art and absolutely at least go to those free introductory classes other arts offer so you can watch AND feel. If you're an Aikidoka you may find that being kicked at freaks you out and you freeze; a Judoka, you'll be pissed that you can't close well on that Aikidoka; a Karateka may kick at a Jujitsuka and find their support leg swept aside. We train, we learn. Have fun, but always approach these outtings and people with respect as you are a guest in their home and they are giving you the great gift of your ignorance, weakness...and putting up with the head trips you brought in with you :D :ai: :ki: