Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Hi everyone, Im brand new, I start my intro class sept 2nd, I posted on the intro page if anyone is interested. I do have two questions if someone can help.

1. What goes on at the seminars, and who would it benefit most, in other words as a "newbie" would it be worth attending?

2. I read an intro book and was confused by the testing, for instance, your first test is after 45 days or so of trainaing, your third test is 60 days of training or so after your second, etc. Does this mean days of training, say I go twice a week does that count as two days, or do they mean calendar days, if i go tues and thurs for a month is that 30 days of training, stupid question I apologize but thank you for any help!

Thanks for the help and thank you for accepting me into this great online community.

Brian Grey

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Onegaishimasu. Genrally what goes on at seminars is intensive training. Days of training for testing purposes are generally that; the actual days of training are counted and only those days. If a person attends fives classes in one day, it still only counts as one day's training. I hope this bit of info helps, and I hope that you have a safe aikido journey.

In gassho,

Mark

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Brian,
On question 1, IMHO, it will depend on the type of seminar. If it's a beginner seminar, yes absolutely as a newbie you will definitely learn a lot especially the basics. But these seminars are hard to find. In most cases, it would really help if you have a bit background and experience. With a bit of experience you'll probably pick-up stuff more, things will click easily and you won't struggle as much matching the Japanese term for the technique with the actual throw. Four years into it, I still manage to confuse my self once in a while. (I'm assuming here that you're starting new).

On question 2, it depends on your dojo. Not only that, your sensei will determine when you can test. You might have the hours but not the required level of skill. Ask your sensei. So my suggestion, just be safe and enjoy your training. Things will fall into place.

Welcome to Aikiweb.

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

In aikido we don't have tournaments, with the exclusion of Tomiki Aikido, but we do have seminars. Normally a seminar is when a dojo brings in another sensei to teach for a day, weekend or week. The sensei can be from another local dojo or a higher ranked sensei from your own organization or from another organization. Typcially, when a dojo hosts a seminar, it will advertise the seminars and other dojos will attend.

It would be worth attending as newbie whether you just go to watch or you actually get on the mat and train. A seminar is a great opportunity to see another perspective of aikido, to train with different people, to meet new people and to experience that you are part of a greater aikido community than just your dojo.

Now, whether you will actually get on the mat and train as newbie, you first need to ask your sensei. I usually tell newbies once they feel comfortable with rolling then they should get on the mat. But, your sensei will know what the seminar will entail and he will know whether you are ready for one or not.

Okay, one day of training means if you show up for class on that particular day you have accumulated one day. You only count the actual days you trained over the course of time. So for instance, if you go Tues and Thurs for a month that will be about 9 days of training for the month not 30.

So if you take every Tues and Thurs class, it will take you 5 months to accumulate 45 days. Once you take that test, you start your count over to accumulate your 60, which will take you 10 months.

Also, might I suggest, if available, to take a third class each week? I have found three classes a week really helps the learning process and gives you enough time in between classes to give your body a break.

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Thank you all for the info my questions are completely answered.

giriasis - yes I would definitely like to train more than twice a week, Ill have to look into it because Im not sure if the let the intro class mix in with the other classes for 2 months.

I am currently very active, lifting 5 days a week and I run 2-4 miles everydayso I dont think 3 days would be too much of a strain.

Brian

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Hello Brian,

Our group is having a seminar this coming Sunday (also Monday evening and Tuesday eveninig) with one of our organization's teachers coming in from Japan. He always teaches very basic stuff and it's always a great time with a nice party afterwards. You are more than welcome to come!
http://akiusa.org/events.html

Good Luck

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Stephen,

Thank you for the invite, I would love to come and watch although I am not sure if my schedule will allow me.

Do you have a messenger service we can talk on? I would like to find people around my area to talk to and get different opinions to make sure I am on the right path.

Thanks.

Brian

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Hello Brian,
I sent you an email with my contact info via aikiweb - I hope you can receive it.
Best,
Steve

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Well, if you can do more than 3 times, then do so. But, definitely ask if it's okay to do classes other than the intro. You're dojo might want you to just do the intro classes before you join in the regular classes.

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

I also find seminars a great place to meet friends old and new which will build year on year.

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Stephen, I dont see your message... can you tell me where I can find it? Im looking under private messages because I cant find any other link, Im assuming this is wrong.

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

Hi Brian,
Mmmm, sorry, I maybe didn't do it right. My email is s.trinkle@verizon.net Please drop me a line.

Best,
Steve

Re: Beginner Qs - Seminars, # Days for Testing
 

What I was always told about attending seminars was, if you can do the ukemi, you're good to go. You kind of have to make a judgment call about the level of the seminar and whether you're up to it.

To add to what others have said about testing "days", when you test your "days" go back to zero. So let's say the requirement for your first test is 45 days, once you fulfill the 45 day requirement and test, you then need to train 60 "days" to meet the requirement for the next test. Also, I'm sure it varies from dojo to dojo, but you don't automatically get to test as soon as you've got that 45 (or however many) days. That's a requirement for you, it doesn't mean that the test automatically happens then (or at all, if sensei doesn't think you're ready, regardless of the number of days you've spent on the mat). Where I train, nobody tests until at least a few of us are ready -- so, while I probably had my required number of "days" by May, I won't be testing until the end of this month.