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Old 01-31-2001, 05:25 PM   #2
Richard Harnack
Dojo: Aikido Institute of Mid-America
Location: Maplewood, Missouri
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 137
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Circle Teaching Beginners

This is "easy".
1. Focus on the basic exercises and rolls.

2. As everyone becomes comfortable with #1, expand into the basic evasions and application movements.

3. As everyone becomes comfortable with #'s 1 & 2, start with basic techniques which will lead them into a safe back fall or a safe forward take down, no forward throws until everyone is okay with "flying". Shomenuchi Kokyunage, Munetsuki Kotegaehi, Katatetori Ikkyo Tenkan or Katatetori Nikkyo are all good basic movements to start with.

#'s 1 - 3 should take the average new student through most of their first month of training at 2 - 3 hours per week.

Usually, I give everyone at least 3 -4 hours before we get into any foward take downs. This allows them to practice their rolls. I give them the explanation that their rolls are the most important thing in their early training as learning proper rolls now will allow them to train safely for the next 20 years. So from the 20 year perspective 3 - 6 months is nothing.

More on what to do in the second month next time.

Yours In Aiki,
Richard Harnack
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