What Grade Are You?

It's that Beginner's Mind of yours, Brent. ;-)

I can't believe I gave my age wrong in my intro - I'm just starting out at 46. :-) That's better than not starting out, at least.

Here's my new role model:
http://zichi.blogspot.com/2009/06/96...its-ukiah.html

In 50 years maybe I could be a shihan! (Hey, it could happen.)

Ruairidh Percival wrote: Hi im ruri (ruairidh) and im 8th kyu yellow belt. im just interested to know what grades you are all at. i have recently started aikido again since i was 12 or 13 as i am now 14. and have my yellow belt. what about you?

Well I am ranker than a lot but not as rank as others. Chuck Clark is ranker than me!

Dennis Hooker wrote: Well I am ranker than a lot but not as rank as others. Chuck Clark is ranker than me!

LOL!

Hey Dennis, good to read you again!
Best,
Ron

Dennis Hooker wrote: Chuck Clark is ranker than me!

Hah!!! I strive to do my best as best I can... some days are ranker than others.

Take care my friend.

I've been told I act like I have never left the 1st grade so I will stick with that!

Marc Abrams

Linda Eskin wrote: It's that Beginner's Mind of yours, Brent. ;-)

Yes, it is (Bruno)

Linda Eskin wrote: Here's my new role model 96-year-old-judo-master

That's Fukuda, Sensei. She is a beautiful, "young" woman of 96 and an excellent role model. I was in her dojo just last year and she still gets out on the mat to demonstrate waza in the Ju no Kata. Amazing!

I was intervieiwed for a documentary about her life in Judo. They wanted a Big, Ugly "Gaijin" that did Kata to say a few words. So, being the chatterbox I am, ...I did. Didn't know it would be used.

Be Gentle, Be Strong, Be Beautiful

Disclaimer: In this clip, I'm credited as being a "Sensei, 5th dan." This is NOT correct and will be rectified in the final cut to "International Kata Competitor".

Rabih Shanshiry wrote: Very good and valid point on the HOURS of training Shioda put in. I missed that level of analysis. I also like that your organization measures HOURS and not DAYS of training. It comes closer. What organization are you with? *** The only value I can see in it is - as Linda pointed out above - to give prospective students a realistic guideline for progression in the art.

I'm with Birankai North America. Just had my first summer camp, actually. An indescribable, awesome experience.

I agree that giving students a guideline for progression is a good reason to have those guidelines. However, one last point.

If you are thinking of aikido strictly as technical skill, then no, strict guidelines don't make a lot of sense. However, aikido isn't just technical skill, at least in the areas where I train. There's a lot of other stuff there, about how to train, how to learn, and how to conduct yourself while doing those things. As was said at camp this past week, the important thing is not the result (aka nth degree black belt) but the process (training, learning).

A lot of the replies have gone away from the original question i.e. What grade are you?
I would ask why the question? Do you think the replies from a high ranking Dan grade should carry more weight than say a 4th. Kyu? In certain instances it is relevant to state: "As a teacher" or to state the number of years you have been training if that is integral to the post otherwise not.
You should also remember that different Dojos and organisations have different standards.
If you are curious about a particular Aikidoka then look up his/her profile, the rank might be on there.

I am 6th Kyu! Haha.

Where we study, 6th Kyu is the lowest belt rank. It would probably be more accurate for me to say that I've only been studying for a few months. I'm loving it

Nidan now. Concentrating my efforts in getting our ikkyus to shodan.

Every rank makes it even more of a lesson when people don't listen to a word I say...

Currently I am just a Nidan. I hope to begin focusing on training for Sandan in August. My ego desires-when I let it off or it escapes the leash- to test at the end of next year, but that is not for me to say. I just want to know............ how deep this rabbit hole goes?

If I count, I have 5 Shodans, 3 Nidans, 2 Sandans...all in Aikido over about 23 years.
Oh, and I change countries (and aiki-organisations) way too much...
I guess its one way to get over the grading jitters.
As others have said, time training (and training WELL) matters more than grade.

Maybe a better question is "How many gi's have you guys worn out?"

(Note to self: 'Outgrown' is NOT the same as 'worn out')

Tim

I started in 1972, when I was 18 years old. Now, I am 6 dan, which surely has more to do with the number of years I have spent on aikido, than mere talent.

About the time to shodan, I have found a standard in many budo, which can be expressed like this (I heard it from a ju-jutsu shihan): A student of normal talent, who practices with normal intensity, will be on shodan level after about five years.

Very common is also this simple arithmetic for the following grades: Minimum 2 years to 2 dan, 3 years to 3 dan, 4 years to 4 dan, 5 years to 5 dan, 6 years to 6 dan. Then it gets more complicated.
Aikikai rules say 12 years minimum to 7 dan, and 15 years minimum to 8 dan. Other organizations may have other demands.

Maybe a better question is "How many [do]gi's have you guys worn out?"

Lost count...shucks. If only I had known that was my true rank, I would've paid more attention!
Best,
Ron

I am tested to sandan - about 3 years ago or so now - but my official rank with the CAF is still nidan. I just haven't had an extra $300.00 bucks kicking around to give to Aikikai Hombu dojo so they can give me a piece of paper that says I am what I am (rank-wise, I mean). As many have said here on this thread, ability is ultimately more important than official rank - especially when you're not "rolling in the dough."

I remember quite clearly being sankyu and thinking sandan was so far away as to be unattainable. Well, here I am at sandan. In some ways, it doesn't feel much different than being sankyu: I've still got a whole lot more to learn!

Some have already said this, but I think it bears repeating: The secret to reaching a high rank in Aikido is to simply enjoy the journey getting there.

Gambatte okudasai!

Jon.

Tim Griffiths wrote: Maybe a better question is "How many gi's have you guys worn out?"

I'm still on my original, but I've only had it three years (the knees are going to go soon though). But...I own a front-loader. Heh.

3rd kyu testing for 2nd kyu this year.

I've just passed my sandan this past weekend - the 20th June. Last graded for Nidan in 2003 but now have my own club and the association we joined thought it would be fun to grade me on the annual course... It was an enjoyable 30 minutes of hell, well actually, it was just the 7 person randori that was the hell part. Thankfully that was at the end of it all. There are some pics in the gallery page of our website.

John Burn wrote: I've just passed my sandan this past weekend - the 20th June. Last graded for Nidan in 2003 but now have my own club and the association we joined thought it would be fun to grade me on the annual course... It was an enjoyable 30 minutes of hell, well actually, it was just the 7 person randori that was the hell part. Thankfully that was at the end of it all. There are some pics in the gallery page of our website.

Congratulations John!

Ruth McWilliam wrote: Congratulations John!

Thanks Ruth! Feels good to know I don't have to go through anymore gradings / examinations.

Congratulations John. I took a look at the pictures when you put them up; the randori looked fun!

Back on topic; I'll be testing for yonkyu next weekend, which incidentally was my grade when I used to train under Tom Moss Sensei as a kid. Can't wait until the next one; I haven't had a new colour belt in about fifteen years!