USAF or ASU?
 

I know this may appear to be a shallow question but, which organization, USAF or ASU, do you feel has the better organization, teaching methodology, etc?

Brad

Before answering this, please state what organization you are currnetly with and then the reasons for your decision. Thanks!

Brad

Hi Brad,

Please define "better."

The answer that I'll give from training in dojo in both organizations (as well as AAA, Yoshinkai, Jiyushinkai, Ki Society, AANC/CAA, etc) is that such criteria are entirely subjective and depends person to person and even dojo to dojo...

-- Jun

Re: USAF or ASU?
 

Clearly organization XXX is superior. Why because my teacher is in it. My friends are in it. I am in it. What other answer can you expect? XXX really sucks, my teacher is horrible, the folks I train with are bozos, and I hate msyelf for being here?

Brad, please, what do you expect to hear? As Jun pointed out, the answer isn't even about organizations but rather individual teachers within those organizations. You need to get out there and try things out for yourself. Star with the big organization summer camps in which you can train with several big teachers at a time and many senior students of thiose teachers. Then narrow it down from there.

Hi Jun!

I am humbled to have your response as it is a first! I see what you guys are saying and thats why I included that it might seem shallow foreseeing this might happen.

I know things depends on the sensei, atmosphere, and everthing on that level. That there are good and bad experiences in the diverse dojos of each organization. I am making referece on the organizational level. Such as, curriculum, expense, # of seminars offered, better structure, test requirements, methodology, ideology, etc.

Having said that, from your own experience without weighing outlying factors such as friends, location, etc, etc, which do you feel has a better program from these standpoints

1. curriculum better prepares aikidoka for future advancement.

2. Teaches applicable and effective techniques

3. Offers outstanding seminars more frequently

4. Is more hardcore

All in all, if you have been to both of their seminars, which did you get a better feeling at. Again, this is your personal opinion nonetheless, it might be helpful to some.

Brad

George:

I am in a place now where I have to fly anywhere to do something of the such. Although I do this periodically, it is still not enough to pass judgement as of yet. Financially, this would take some time. So, I thought some of you big city slickers had more opportunity to access those seminars on a more frequent basis thus forming a quicker opinion. Hope this helps to clarify

Brad

Jun:

I guess a more economical question for you would be; Between USAF and ASU, which is more comparable to AAA? Thought you might have an opinion since you are fimliar with all. Hope this question doesn't sond vein.

Thanks,

Brad

Never mind to all; just found a site that offers some insight that no one could offer at this point. You can view it at:

http://www.aikidoaus.com.au/dojo/doc...s.htm#aitensho

Brad,

I went to your attached site and I found that what was written to represent anything close to my experience with the two organizations. Both exist in my area. Interestingly enough, I have to say that the "other organization" in my area has a much better curriculum, structure, and organization than my own. Still, what they do doesn't allow me to express what I think that aikido is. Do both. Noone should stop you from trying both.

Brad,

Why don't you first start by answering your own questions?

Public Forum
 

Brad,

You've got to understand this whole forum thing... these posts are read all over the world. If you want genuine opinions about the relative merits of teachers, organizations, etc. you are going to have to a) foster some personal realtionships with people whom you respect and b) ask them privately to tell you what they think.

None of the people who are most likely to have really good information for you would be likely to do so in a public forum. And if you do get an opinion from someone, you don't shoot your mouth off and talk about it all over. Things said privately are for you , not every body else.

Re: USAF or ASU?
 

I'm really not sure how comparing the United States Air Force with Arizona State University is possible. :D

My answer - neither. I'm in AAA - so that makes them the best. :freaky:

I have found that those of us who practice Aikido, with respect for each other, are the best folks to practice with...If they are from ASU or Ki Society or WWF doesn't matter..

Practice with those who will practice with you and enjoy.....

I think that George has had some good things to say. The truth is that organizations aren't static. What is true today may not be true tomorrow. What is true for a person in California may not apply to someone in New York within the same organization. While one student may have a great experience in a certain dojo, another right down the street may have had a terrible experince. It is even possible for two students to have two different experiences with the same instructor!

By the way, don't believe everything you read in the websites either, the advertising often says what we want to be rather than what we actually are.

Best wishes,

Re: Re: USAF or ASU?
 

You are with the American Automomobile Association? :D

Brad, don't worry about organizations. Find a teacher, not an organization. I don't know who wrote that review of "Styles" but some are really misinformed or downright ignorant.

Dennis Hooker

www.shindai.com

ASU

Re: Re: Re: USAF or ASU?
 

I was waiting for someone to say that! :D

Great replies and I enjoyed the humor! hehehehe