Getting a Gi

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[ntrcptr_00]

When is it okay for a new Aikidoka to get a gi? It seems for me to get a gi and wear it onto the mat at this point is presumptious on my part. What do some of you think?

[giriasis]

I guess it really depends on the dojo your training in.

At my college dojo, we let students go through a few classes to see if they want to committ to buying a gi. We basically do that because college students don't always have the money to invest unless they actually plan to commit to aikido.

But at our main school. You usually wear a gi on your first night.

So just ask your sensei.

Anne Marie Giri

[ian]

Same here - we have a lot of students and it is unfair to insist that they buy a gi early on.

Ueshiba insisted that you don't need money to practise aikido - and hopefully we can keep it like that (our club is completely non-profit making).

The way I see it is that the gi isn't for the instructor it is for yourself. A gi makes you feel better in your aikido and is more comfortable to wear (as well as giving you a stronger feeling of centre due to your belt) and making you think - right now I'm in aikido mode.

Also, you will find that your clothes begin to get ripped off your body when you start doing collar, sleeve or shoulder grabs. (I once had both my sleeves ripped off my karate gi in the same night - leaving me looking like an australian football player - best to get a judo/jujitsu/aiki gi).

Ian