Hello Aikido!

Hello all:
I am a black belt in TKD and will be enrolling in Aikido shortly. Is there anyone here who has done this? If so, what should I expect and how can I prepare for classes?

Thanks in advance,
Godzilla
(New member as of right now!)

Godzilla wrote: Hello all: I am a black belt in TKD and will be enrolling in Aikido shortly. Is there anyone here who has done this? If so, what should I expect and how can I prepare for classes?

Many, of us, in fact I'd hazard a guess that most of us, start Aikido after training in a different art.

Experience in the other art will both help you and hold you back.

The thing that I hear my Sensei tell prospective students is to dedicate themselves to training on a regular basis and to come to class with an open mind.

YMMV,

Hey God, or is it zilla?

At any rates, welcome. I also have a Taekwondo (and Kyokushinkai) background also and my opinion is that it does help a lot, for different reasons. However, aikido is very, very different from what you're used to.

Did you do ITF or WTF Taekwondo?

Did you wear your Dubbock to your Dojang to do your Hyungs? Some people here feel that Kyong-ye is not necessary while others disagree. It's like a whole different language here.

Good luck.

Jim23

Godzilla,

I studied Wing Chun Kung Fu before I began Aikido. I think my previous training helped out in a couple ways. One way is that I had already developed pretty good hand / eye coordination and I was somewhat familiar with the concept of redirecting the attacker's energy (strike). Wing Chun had a strong focus on parrying and trapping, not too different from the Aikido concept of "blending".

What you will find though, is that Aikido doesn't have any kicks as defensive techniques (we learn to defend against them, but not how to use them against other people). OK wait, some styles of Aikido may use kicks, but most of them don't.

Jim, when I studied Tae Kwon Do I never wore my Dobak to the Dojang to work on my Hyungs. And now that I study Aikido, I don't wear my Gi to the Dojo to study Kokyunage

Louis,

Ha! Good one.

Jim23

Louis,

Most aikidoka don't like to hear the word Joonbi, then Gyorugi or Boo Sang that's why we have HohGoo, but they love to hear Kuman.

My favoriates moves were Dolryo-cha-gi and Dwi-dolryo-cha-gi.

It's been said that Taekwondo builds Baekjool.

My Sabeom Nim from Korea used to say "pist" instead of "JuMeok".

I'm just as confused as everone else.

Jim23

Hi, Godzilla

I'd practiced Taekwondo before I started aikido, and I can tell you you're in for a wonderful experience. Just some tips on things I myself felt when I first started.

The fact that aikido totally ignores kicking is the first most obvious thing that you'll notice, but there'll be plenty more coming, so the best thing is to "empty your cup" so to speak, and don't think too much about things like, "hey, would this guy be able to handle a really fast roundhouse kick?"

To improve in Taekwondo, you train for strength and speed to overwhelm your opponent. You'll think Aikido is pretty soft at first. Try to let go of the notions you've had until now of "strength" and "power"; there are different kinds out there.

As for differences in language, well, I'm a Korean, and I can see alphabetical phonetics don't suit my language very well. So maybe it'll actually be easier for you to learn Japanese terms.

Anyway, it all boils down to keeping an open mind and a positive outlook.

Good luck!

Kyung Yul Lee

"Zilla,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Aikido. I hope you find it as pleasant and insightful journey as I have so far.

I studied Shaolin Kung Fu and Yang Tai Chi Ch'uan for 3 1/2 years before beginning my Aikido training. I can only emphansize what someone said earlier, it will help and hinder you.

I don't know much about TKD, but if you trained in projecting power from your center as we learned in Kung Fu/Tai Chi, then that is an edge.

I agree with what someone said about not thinking to much on what about this kick etc...You'll find Aikido is deceptive in that it appears to the onlooker to be staged and soft, yet taking a few ukemi from your sensei or any other advanced student will definitely dispell any doubts of it's power.

Again, welcome, and enjoy
Peace, Kenn

Godzilla,

Run away! Run away! quick, before you become an addict like most of us! It's not too late, you have no hakama yet! he-he-he!

Advice? - Relax harder!

Best of luck,

Dan P. - Mongo

Hi!

Used to practice karate - gave me a good basic knowledge of coordinating my limbs. Advantage!

Practiced Kendo for a while - increased agression and a woodman-like chop with a shinai very unsimilar to the cutting movement used in Aiki-toho and the style of Aikido I practice. Definately disadvantage!

Advice: Don't expect to be able to use what you know. Focus on Aikido. A lot of times people with experience from other MA's tend to start questioning the effectiveness of Aikido after a couple of months. Usually that is because they se a lot of openings and flaws in the aikido technique that they are just dying to take advantage of. Later they will often find, that when the technique is applied with more speed and intention the openings suddenly disappear.

Welcome to our 'family'. I hope you will have fun!

Thanks for the encouragement! I will be wearing my TKD gi for the first month. Then, when I commit to more classes, I will need to wear the Akido gi (is it called a gi?).

I remember when I began studying TKD, each belt was an accomplishment. Until I reached black belt I finally realized that the belts are meaningless. I actually felt a bit silly wearing it in class. Everyone thought I was so knowledgeable and skilled.

I am looking forward to Aikido! Your kind responses were much appreciated!

Thanks,
Godzilla

Hi Godzilla,

Can you please make sure to sign your posts with your real name as it is a Forum rule. Thank you.

-- Jun

Real name is Jeff.
Thanks,

Jeff Feith
http://www.businesssolutionpartners.com