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cAnAdiAn
11-13-2002, 11:35 AM
Hi everyone,

I've been lurking on the board for a couple weeks now and I have a couple questions I wanted to ask.

1) I used to be pretty heavy into amature bodybuilding until I broke my ankle pretty bad 2 years ago. After that I spent a lot of time not doing any particularly strenious exercise and as a result I've ended up VERY out of shape (unless you count round) and not overly flexible at all. I've done a lot of reading about Aikido and I'm going to be taking an introductory course next thursday. My question is are there exercises in aikido that builds flexibillity or should I get out my old gear and do some training before I go so I get the most benifit from the intro lesson?

2) I've noticed the barefoot requirement when on the training mats and was wondering if anybodys had a problem with warts?

3) I've never been to a dojo before, are there any rules or customs that I should be aware of so I don't make a fool of myself?

Thanks in advance!
Vincentharris
11-13-2002, 11:42 AM
I can appreciate your concern with your weight and physical condition. I was a very serious martial artist and part-time bodybuilder until I got in a REALLY serious car accident. I put on over 200 pounds and I'm still around the 400 pound mark.

Aikido is a conditioning form that I am absolutely sure you can do if you really want to. My hands/wrists were never that flexible until now and I've only been going to class for about two months now.

I really hope that you enjoy your introductory course. What dojo are you going to ? What attracted you to Aikido ?

I've never had any problems with warts in any of the dojo that I have visited over the years. Warts are caused by exposure to a fungus and if you don't keep your feet clean, the warts are an after-effect. But like I said, no problems in over 15 years.

Rules and customs there are but most dojo will not call you on them the very first time that you come to the class. I'd be glad to send you a list of "Dojo Etiquetter" if you like ?

Keep me posted on the class. You can email me at vharris@tier.com

Take care, good luck and God Bless.
Wormwood
11-13-2002, 11:54 AM
1) I was really out of shape when I first joined (and still am, I haven't been in for very long) and I found that the pace was just fine. Great for building flexibillity.

2) There is not a lot of foot contact, so I wouldn't worry about it too much, no one seems to mind my eczema and it looks awful.

3) Rules: http://www.aiki-dojo.net/private/Aikido7Etiquet.htm

These are for my dojo, yours may differ. Rule of thumb, observe others and try to fit in.
cAnAdiAn
11-13-2002, 12:55 PM
Thats awesome thanks for your responses! Vince thats kindof the position I'm finding myself in, I'm a good 100lbs over what I believe I should be.

Theres a local dojo called the "Calgary Ki Society" thats kindof on my way from work to home. As for what attracted me to Aikido, I was flipping through a back issue of Musscle and Fitness I saw an article on Martial Arts. Aikido is one of the arts they mentioned. I think the non-leathal aspect of Aikido is what made it so appealing. So I've been on the net for a month now looking at whatever I can find regarding it =) I'm really looking forward to the intro class!

Thanks for the site Nathan, how long have you been training?
Veers
11-13-2002, 04:13 PM
I think the non-leathal aspect of Aikido is what made it so appealing.
Non-agressive, sure, but I don't know about non-lethal...
cAnAdiAn
11-13-2002, 04:22 PM
Hehe yeah I think I should have re-worded that!
Wormwood
11-14-2002, 09:27 AM
Thanks for the site Nathan, how long have you been training?
I've been training for 2 months now. Test for my 6th Kyu Dec 14, I hope, and I am really looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy the intro class.

Nathan
Janet Rosen
11-14-2002, 02:33 PM
[QUOTE="

I've never had any problems with warts in any of the dojo that I have visited over the years. Warts are caused by exposure to a fungus and if you don't keep your feet clean, the warts are an after-effect. But like I said, no problems in over 15 years.[/QUOTE]Warts are viral, not fungal.
Matt Whyte
11-19-2002, 09:36 AM
Wormwood,

You've been training for only two months and you are testing soon? well done.
Matt Whyte
11-19-2002, 09:39 AM
Sorry. I pushed the wrong button.

I have been training for two years, and I still have not had the opportunity to grade yet because my Area Rep is always too busy going on golfing tours or something like that. It annoys the shite out of me. I am good enough to be 2nd Kyu, but this guy wont test anyone because it would interfere with his leisure pursuits. He's a moron.
Wormwood
11-19-2002, 09:50 AM
Wormwood,

You've been training for only two months and you are testing soon? well done.
I don't know about 'well done' cause I haven't passed yet... ;) I really know how difficult the test is at our dojo compared with others. From what others have been saying, they had to do two or three times the technics as there is in my upcoming 6th kyu test.

6th Kyu test contains the following:

o Back Break Fall

o Back and Front Rolls

o Mouvements: Irimi, Tenkan, Tenshin

Tachi Waza:

o Katatetori

o Ai Hanmi : Ikkyo & Kotegaeshi

o Gyaku Hanmi: Shihonage, Kokyunage & Sumiotoshi

I really don't know how that compares to other dojos, but I think it's fine to see if someone has a grasp on the basics.

Nathan
Wormwood
11-19-2002, 10:03 AM
Sorry. I pushed the wrong button.

I have been training for two years, and I still have not had the opportunity to grade yet because my Area Rep is always too busy going on golfing tours or something like that. It annoys the shite out of me. I am good enough to be 2nd Kyu, but this guy wont test anyone because it would interfere with his leisure pursuits. He's a moron.
That just sucks. :freaky: I guess as long as your not treated like a beginner and you don't treat yourself as a beginner thats all that really matters, though recognition would be nice.

Nathan
cAnAdiAn
11-19-2002, 10:21 AM
I goofed up, my intro lesson isn't until THIS thursday...woops!

oh just out of curiosity whats a kyu?
Wormwood
11-19-2002, 10:33 AM
I goofed up, my intro lesson isn't until THIS thursday...woops!

oh just out of curiosity whats a kyu?
I believe that it means student, but I am not sure. It represents the levels before black belt. There are 5 kyu levels (in my federation, IAF) and 10 black belt. The kyu levels go from 6th to 1st, then Shodan (1st dgr Black), Nidan, Sandan, etc ...

Nathan
cAnAdiAn
11-19-2002, 10:44 AM
OHH ok! Thanks!
akiy
11-19-2002, 10:53 AM
I believe that it means student, but I am not sure. It represents the levels before black belt.
As you write, "kyu" basically denotes the ranks before you reach shodan (1st degree black belt). It doesn't really indicate "student," though. I'd hope even people with black belts consider themselves students; in my mind, the rank of shodan is in no way a "license" to teach.

In any case, Warren, I think most of your questions that you have at this point may be answered by reading through the articles that are here on this website in the various sections as well as on other aikido-related websites such as AikidoFAQ.com (http://www.aikidofaq.com).

Hope that helps.

-- Jun
cAnAdiAn
11-19-2002, 11:04 AM
oH WOW That was perfect Thanks!!!
Sven Groot
11-21-2002, 05:36 AM
"Find me guilty, when true guilt is from within"
That's a Metallica quote!! :cool:

Thorn Within, iirc.
cAnAdiAn
11-21-2002, 11:13 AM
heh yeah I love that song!