Starting Aikido

[Please visit our sponsor:]

Bu Jin ® Design - All your training needs: Hakama, Dogi, Wooden Weapons, DVDs, more!

[geleugim]

Hi All,

I am very interested in learning Aikido; there is a school near me but I will not be able to join for at least a year (schedule and finances).

Would it be beneficial for me to purchase Aikido videos and practice solo or with a friend before I am able to join a school?

Is it possible to practice alone?

Do y'all recommend any videos? if Q1 is a yes.

Thank you!

[Noel]

Practicing alone is difficult at best, IMO. Some of the basic footwork and movement can be done, but anything where you need to feel your partner's energy or movement....

With a friend, well if he or she has been studying aiki that's one thing. Personally, without competent adult supervision, i tend to make the same mistakes over and over until the bad habits get really ingrained.

Probably not the answer you're looking for,
-Noel

[Greg Jennings]

I wouldn't try learning the techniques alone. You might try getting a video on aikido ukemi and practice. It'll be more comfortable if you can find a soft surface to work on. A couple of layers of firm carpet padding with a tarp over it might suffice.

Donovan Waite and Bruce Bookman both have excellent ukemi videos.

Regards,

[SeiserL]

IMHO, since each school had their own way of doing things, it may be best to just go train for a while before you begin your own search. While I think you can learn "about" Aikido solo through study, you cannot "learn Aikido" without competent instruction, supervision, and a good group of training partners.

[Misogi-no-Gyo]

Suggestion - find someone who would be willing to train with you for 1 hour a week, outside of the dojo, for free. You could start a club at your university. They will give you money that could be used for mats and could also be used to bring someone in who would like to teach a class to 10 or 15 students. I did it when I was a student. It was very successful and attracted 30-50 students at the start of each semester. We always wound down to 10 or 15 at the end. Those who came back each year helped to make a good solid group with seniors, juniors and everyone helping each other out.

[geleugim]

Thank you all for your feedback; I will just have to be patient and wait till I can join the dojo.

I used to study Hwa Rang Do and I did lots of breakfalls (ukemi, right?); they apear to be the same techniques used in Aikido.

How about terminology, any guides available online? Something I always had a hardtime picking up in class was the Korean terms.

Thanks again.
-Miguel-

[Lyle Laizure]

To be sure maybe make time to attend at least one or two classes so that you know you are doing things correctly.

[Aikidoiain]

Hi Miguel,

I too am planning on joining the local Aikido club, probably this week.

If you look at all my posts, you may find some useful tips there. :)

But ultimately, I'm a beginner in "formal Aikido training". Let me know how you get on.

All the best,
Iain. :ki:

[Aikidoiain]

On second thoughts - best if you don't read any of my posts.

Listen to the accredited experts instead. I'm not qualified to offer advice. Sorry.

Iain.

[geleugim]

Thanks Iain, I will look through your posts.

[Aikidoiain]

Remember Miguel, I'm not really qualified to offer advice , so take it with a pinch of salt.

Oops! Sorry.

Iain. :ki: :sorry: