Is aikido effective for self-defence?
Aikido techniques can be applied for self-defence purposes. Yoshinkan Aikido is incorporated into the training of the Tokyo Riot Police and elite defence forces around the world. However, we emphasize traditional teaching methods, a safe environment, and development of the self over reality-based, "training for modern threat" scenarios. Aikido students must train consistently to be able to use their skills with confidence, effectiveness, and safety. The techniques of aikido are designed so that students can protect themselves and, to some extent, protect their attackers by neutralizing aggressive force instead of falling victim to destructive blow-for-blow fights. The greater goal of aikido is to cultivate a spirit of mindfulness, self-discipline and respect for the world around you.
Is aikido a good fit for all genders, ages, weight categories, and ability levels?
Unlike in competitive sports, there is no separation of students based on age or gender in aikido. Aikido's effectiveness relies on body mechanics, leverage, and timing. Because aikido does not rely on pure physical strength, it can be a great fit for anyone who does not feel comfortable or interested in martial arts as a competitive sport.
It is worth noting, however, that aikido techniques require contact with a partner and include joint locks, pins, and throws. Students learn to fall and roll in response to these techniques. All of these movements put different stresses on the body. The best advice we can give is that any prospective student should visit the dojo to see first-hand whether aikido movements and physical impacts would be right for them given their commitment, general health, and comfort level.
It is worth noting, however, that aikido techniques require contact with a partner and include joint locks, pins, and throws. Students learn to fall and roll in response to these techniques. All of these movements put different stresses on the body. The best advice we can give is that any prospective student should visit the dojo to see first-hand whether aikido movements and physical impacts would be right for them given their commitment, general health, and comfort level.
Does aikido hurt?
Aikido is a martial art, so training can occasionally cause mild pain or discomfort. Aikido is non-competitive, however, so your fellow students--especially senior students--are only there to help you to learn. The more you practice, the more you understand your discomfort as a way of learning about the body and how techniques work. This kind of training also leads to greater self-awareness overall, creating a stronger, more resilient mind as well as a stronger, more resilient body. Because we all share the same goal of improving ourselves, we take great care to teach proper ways of falling safely and emphasize clear communication between partners so that no one suffers excessive pain or injury. If a technique hurts too much, students are taught to quickly tap the mat or their leg and their partner immediately eases any pressure. This kind of communication cultivates a feeling of responsibility and empathy for others.
What can I expect in a typical class?
If you are visiting, please wear your shoes into the Cultural Centre, but leave your shoes in the hallway outside of the dojo room. Please remove a hat if you are wearing one. We don't care if your hair is messy, but we do care a great deal about showing respect to each other and our training environment.
Students begin every class by lining up quietly in order of seniority and bowing to show our respect to the teacher and to the training hall, or dojo. Next, we spread out for stretching and warm-up. The ability to perform aikido's basic movements is as necessary for senior students as it is for beginners.
The teacher will then demonstrate and explain a technique for the class. Beginning students are paired up with the most senior students to make sure that they are learning carefully and safely. Like with any new activity, it can feel overwhelming at first because there is so much new information. Aikido students make for generous teachers, however, and everyone remembers starting their aikido study in the same place and experiencing the same feelings. Everyone understands that growth takes time and patience.
An hour into class, junior students are excused from the mats while senior students stay on to train in more complex techniques and at more intense levels. The best way to get a sense of aikido is to come watch a class. It is hard to describe the intensity and joy of training in words, but it is easy to see in practice. When you come to visit, please take off your shoes just before entering the dojo room.
Students begin every class by lining up quietly in order of seniority and bowing to show our respect to the teacher and to the training hall, or dojo. Next, we spread out for stretching and warm-up. The ability to perform aikido's basic movements is as necessary for senior students as it is for beginners.
The teacher will then demonstrate and explain a technique for the class. Beginning students are paired up with the most senior students to make sure that they are learning carefully and safely. Like with any new activity, it can feel overwhelming at first because there is so much new information. Aikido students make for generous teachers, however, and everyone remembers starting their aikido study in the same place and experiencing the same feelings. Everyone understands that growth takes time and patience.
An hour into class, junior students are excused from the mats while senior students stay on to train in more complex techniques and at more intense levels. The best way to get a sense of aikido is to come watch a class. It is hard to describe the intensity and joy of training in words, but it is easy to see in practice. When you come to visit, please take off your shoes just before entering the dojo room.
Why is everyone shouting "Oos!"?
The word "Osu!" is a phrase that is often used in traditional Japanese martial arts. While the origins of the term are debated, it is used as a sign of respect, patience, and gratitude. For this reason, even though we use it as a friendly greeting between students, its most important purpose is to show respect when an instructor or senior students corrects or helps us.
Are there tournaments in aikido?
Yoshinkan Aikido does not have tournaments. The fundamental aim of aikido is to improve one's self while learning how to resolve conflict safely, with physical and mental self-control. Given these goals, competition against others is not a necessary part of training. Instead of fighting opponents in class, we work as partners, always taking turns to practice techniques equally and without a desire to beat the other person. It is expected that each student will be competing with himself or herself to reach new levels of self-discipline and technical mastery. In this way, aikido training is always intensive training.
Are there coloured belts in aikido?
There are coloured belts in aikido that correspond to a student's rank. This helps the teacher quickly recognize which students should be partnered up and helps him understand what degree of proficiency a student has attained. Students take on a new belt colour when they pass their grading tests. This helps students feel their progress and motivates them to keep training and keep growing to achieve new levels of confidence and ability. There is never pressure from the instructors to take a test: when students feel ready to test, they should talk to the instructors to see if they have achieved enough growth. Preparing for a test is an opportunity to intensify physical training and to re-focus the mind, so it is not undertaken lightly.
Is there sparring in aikido?
Instead of sparring against opponents, aikido students work as partners to learn and practice techniques. This system promotes mutual respect and equal opportunities for learning. The student doing the technique is called sh'te (sh-TAY) while the person being subdued is called uke (OU-kay). Typically, the senior student will be sh'te first and will perform the technique on both his/ her right and left side, and then partners will switch roles so that the junior student is sh'te for his/her right and left side. In aikido, we do not consider the role of uke to be a weaker role. Taking uke is an opportunity to understand how a technique feels, to develop physical flexibility, and to learn to sense another person's intentions.
Are there weapons in aikido?
As students develop to higher ranks, they begin to work with weapons to learn distance, timing, and practical self-defence against an armed attacker. We work with the tanto (knife), bokken (wooden sword), and jo (short staff).
Aikido in the news
The art of aikido and Kimeda Sensei's teaching (at his former dojo in Toronto) were featured in a National Post article.