Query re first grading in Aikido?

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[Sojourner]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I cannot locate it here.

When a student takes a first grading in Aikido, what is likely to be expected of them in terms of what they are to be asked to do?

I am guessing all the breakfalls and some of the forms that you learn first? Do they require written work in terms of essays or study notes?

[robin_jet_alt]

It all depends on the style. Your best bet is to ask your teacher.

[edshockley]

6th kyu are the beginning of aikido and 1th kyu is several years late with everything except jo/bokken/iai (maybe). "Dan" is doing everything better.

[rugwithlegs]

It's actually a pretty cool study. everyone had the same singular source of inspiration, but how to pass it on? How to teach it to the next generation? Tomiki, Yoshinkan, Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido - no resemblance at white belt levels. It's easier, IMO, to tell a kyu level students lineage than a black belt's lineage. What is required for early ranks seems to be about the teacher and their understanding of how to teach.

[edshockley]

Now that there are computers, though, if you begin at the beginning (6th kyu) and practice each part then you will soon remember how to throw the attacker in any way that happens. I lost every English and Japanese word (aphasia/stroke). Walking was a little hard but I was taught just to practice aikido/jo/bokken/iaido every day. (I still do this each morning). Rather than be angry or worried... remembered from my three Shihan ... "Always begin again."

[rugwithlegs]

http://www.southcarolinakiaikido.com/Testing-Adult.htm

http://www.mun.ca/aikido/resources/Practical-Info/CAF_Test_July2012.pdf

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54e26481e4b0c4ae29d7db50/t/5509f536e4b0fca40dc601e3/1426715958626/USAF-test-requirements-4.3.pdf

http://haywardaikido.net/wp-content/uploads/BirankaiNAKyuTestGuidelines.pdf

http://www.aikikai.or.jp/eng/information/review.html

http://www.karlgeis.com/aikido-katas

http://shindai.com/asu-handbook/#rokyu

http://www.yoshinkan.net/03images/_pdf/2013%20Yoshinkan%20Test%20Syllabus.pdf

http://www.aikidomaf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=24

I find this kind of stuff fascinating- one source, one (official) art, many lineages and expressions. The biggest differences between styles seems to be where we start.

Some I have not found online, but probably exist - Shodokan (I put a link to one group), Iwama, Nishikawa, Tamura, Tada, Tissier, several offshoots of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido? Seagal, what does he teach beginners? Of course, the answer is "Aikido" but we all do, just slightly differently.

We have many discussions here without much of a common framework. Even the list doesn't mean much - I saw a video of a sixth kyu USAF test in Florida with randori this past week, and there are independent dojos with ties to several organizations and teachers. What do you ask of your students? What do you feel is the best way to impart aikido to the majority of your students?

[Rupert Atkinson]

The first test is more important than the shodan test, in my opinion. Study it to pass well and all subsequent ones will be easy. Struggle thru it and you will struggle thru the rest and get nowhere fast. Don't rush the first test ... get thru it well.