I am Aikido Rookies

It seems customary to introduce oneself when joining an organisation or group. Thus, here is my icebreaking?

First of all, I impressed with the AikiWeb non-spam/ controlled registering application. Kinda make me feel good/obliged to tell who I am.

The name is Koren Ko. I am from Malaysia, Penang and just started Aikido some few weeks ago.

The Dojo...
Errr...is at the local public nursery ground? Its a small practise place comprised mostly little kids and beginners. A few seniors and black belts are there to guide too. Sensei Kun is the instructor. By the way, Its called Nihon Aikido Kenkyukai Penang, in Yoshikan (Learned when compared O.Ratti's book with Sensei and what I had practised there). I wonder do that mean I am practising Yoshikan or what.

Searching info...
Naturally, one will look for more info when started a new thing. However, not much Aikido related books or info available around. I managed to get "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere" by A. Westbrook & O.Ratti from library but its Akikai and way of 35 years old already! (1st published, 1970) Even in the Internet and this forum did not offer much explanation for a newbie. I hope someone can give me a little something on the technique and how to make weight-shifting while doing kihon waza...

Problem...
The Aikido system is quite different than the Karate. Not only concept, technique and movement, the gravity-posture and body coordination differs too. I got this problem trying to stay palm open flat when doing hanmi no gamae. Just staying balance in gamae feels so tough. Not to mention upper torso, waist and hands positioning.

Environment...
There are a lot of people learning martial arts from my place. But for a reason unknown, Aikido seems less popular compare to Karate-do, Tae-kwan-do, Wushu, Tai-ki and Judo in Penang. Only a few have Aikido club in school. Rare even in public or private IoHL. I only knew my Aikido dojo (which is near my home) through a small kid back where I was doing part time very far away. Another public place I knew is in YMCA at town area.

Is it because Aikido is more for the adult and comparatively subtle promotion with other Martial arts? Less or no exposure at all in local press? Wrongful idea that Aikido is as expensive as the Kendo? Or plainly too few able Akido-ka lives here?

I joined this forum for advice and answer. I hope you all may help me out.

Thanks!

correction: I am learning Aikido in a school following Yoshinkan style but not registered to it.

Do "a school that not registered but following certain style and grading is oversees by that certain style senior" something common in association around your place?

Dear Koren,

Yoshinkan Penang? Are you or Kun sensei anyhow related to Francis Ramasamy sensei? He is the most senior northern based Yoshinkan practitioner in Malaysia.

Regards and welcome to the forum.

Boon.

Hi Koren Ko, Welcome to the Aikiweb. New people are always fun . Don't worry to much about the age of your book Aikido and the dynamic sphere seems pretty renowned. I've never personally read it but have heard alot about it. Even though it's old the basic principles and philosophies probably haven't change much. There are quite a few books out there including a couple by Doshu check out: Best Aikido and Best Aikido 2 the masters course.

As for technique and balance just practice, practice, practice, after 2 years of practicing I still find myself bouncing around the matt saying "Great the throw seemed to work now, if only it was uke falling and not me!"

Xu Wenfung wrote: Dear Koren, Yoshinkan Penang? Are you or Kun sensei anyhow related to Francis Ramasamy sensei? He is the most senior northern based Yoshinkan practitioner in Malaysia. Regards and welcome to the forum. Boon.

Err, like I said, I am training with school using yoshinkan...

And since I am newbie here, I'm not really know who is Sensei Francis Ramasamy yet. Anyway, do you know some one called Malcom? He is one of the senior instructor.

Thnx.