How many here does Aikido?

[mayaxe]

Im glad you went back.

 

[bens85]

I'll be looking at going back to Aikido. I've done Wing Chun for about 2 or 3 months and also tried Judo and Goju Karate. I've tried out Aikido in the past too but the first club I went to needed me to do a beginners course which I couldn't attend during the week because I work. The second Aikido club I went to I was told I wouldn't be able to pick up on the art just attending two classes a week trying to steer me into a special 'training package' they offered which was too expensive for me.

I've found a Kokikai Aikido class though which I'm going to go and try out on Saturday. It's about one and a half hours from my house but I'm prepared to go any reasonable distance if I get good training. I wanted to try Jiu Jitsu as well but I don't think I could take it because I get chronic back/rib pain (exercise usually helps but I can't get into anything too intense). We'll see how it goes, otherwise I'll probably just look at going back to Wing Chun

 

[tigerfeet]

I'll be looking at going back to Aikido. I've done Wing Chun for about 2 or 3 months and also tried Judo and Goju Karate. I've tried out Aikido in the past too but the first club I went to needed me to do a beginners course which I couldn't attend during the week because I work. The second Aikido club I went to I was told I wouldn't be able to pick up on the art just attending two classes a week trying to steer me into a special 'training package' they offered which was too expensive for me.

I've found a Kokikai Aikido class though which I'm going to go and try out on Saturday. It's about one and a half hours from my house but I'm prepared to go any reasonable distance if I get good training. I wanted to try Jiu Jitsu as well but I don't think I could take it because I get chronic back/rib pain (exercise usually helps but I can't get into anything too intense). We'll see how it goes, otherwise I'll probably just look at going back to Wing Chun

It is frustrating trying to find the right martial arts club. I gave up in the end in the city where I used to live. But where I am now I have found a club where the training schedule and training philosophy both work for me.
Of course you won't become an expert taking one or two classes a week, but a good dojo will also recognise that your time is limited and should allow you to train as your own life / work allows.
I really hope that you can find a good aikido club. I also have a chronic back problem that limits what I can do, but my sensei allows me to work around that, and lets me be the best I can be - which will never be the best of the best but oh well. In any case, aikido is about spirit and mind, not about being the bestest baddest b*st&@d on the block. Any club that tries to put you down is not worth your time. And any club that is all about the money is also not worth your time. Maybe ask around your martial arts community and look for a smaller, less commercial club. They are often the ones that are truest to the aikido philosophy of O Sensei.
Good Luck!

Michelle

 

[bens85]

Thank you for your concern Michelle. Unfortunately it is not like the old days, martial arts is a business now, having said that, renting and hall hire does cost money, just depends on the individual's motives in starting their own club.

I'm continually looking around Sydney at what schools exist. Problem is though you don't just want to join any club out there without authenticating their teachings and, preferably in my case, confirming they have affiliation with a 'head' school or a verifiable organization. Just as some people commercialize martial arts, some people are dishonest in their practice.

I'm not expecting to become an expert any time soon particularly with only one formal class per week (I do try to practice in my own time as much as possible). However I'd like to find someone who supports that and is willing to work with me - that kind of service I am willing to pay any reasonable amount of money for. But I don't just want to be 'accepted' as a casual student and become a burden for the teacher just because I can't give more time to practice.

We'll see how it goes. The only one concern I've always had with these grapping arts is the emphasis of rolling. I know its taught for safety, but I can barely manage a standard forward roll. I've got very stiff shoulders which get sore as I mentioned before.

 

[TDWoj]

OUr club is run as a not-for-profit corporation, so we charge only what we expect to make to cover our expenses. We're actually prohibited from having too much in the bank because of our status which makes it a little awkward if we run into those times of the year when attendance is down (usually summer and November/December), or if we want to make improvemets. I've floated the idea of having a replacement reserve but so far we haven't had the time yet to investigate whether we are legally entitled to have such a thing.

I don't know if any aikido clubs in Canada are for profit (most of the karate clubs are), but we are governed by three organizations: the Ontario Aikido Federation, the Canadian Aikido Federation and lastly, overseeing the lot, is Hombu Dojo.

I don't know how things are done in the States. I know there's the United States Aikido Federation, with Yamada at its head, but my understanding is that not all dojos fall under this umbrella. (Here, for example, groups that practice Iwama style do not test at OAF/CAF seminars, and they have their own heirarchy which may or may not also be governed by Hombu. Must ask the next time someone from an Iwama dojo drops in.)

 

[tigerfeet]

What is Iwama? I have not heard that term before.

 

[TDWoj]

What is Iwama? I have not heard that term before.

Iwama style is the style taught by O Sensei's student Saito. As I understand it, as O Sensei developed aikido, various of his students went off at different times during the development of aikido, and at whatever point they left O Sensei, that was the style of aikido taught at their dojos. Saito Sensei was in Iwama with O Sensei, and when he began teaching, this is what he taught and what become known as "Iwama style".

Iwama is a little rougher than I like; I believe Steven's style is Iwama, because he studied with Saito Sensei. However, while we practice aikikai in the dojo for open hand practice, we practice weapons Iwama style because that's how our weapons master learned his weapons (and he learned it actually in Iwama - he went as his sensei's uke and was ushi deshi with his sensei for, I think, a year there).

I am sure those who know more will jump in and correct my errors.

 

[tigerfeet]

Thanks TD

 

[Inzi]

I do mixed Martial Art's so that way I know what my opponent's style is, can read and counteract. Currently learning Akido from my husband. I finished my swordsman class in 2003 and fully ranked up. I am hoping to get in touch with the elegant side and try sword dancing. Since it is popular in Japan and other countrys and has a rather unic style. Over all I say my Akido is a work in progress for quite the while.

 

[GojiBerrys]

Sankyo... I heart sankyo...and LB!

 

[TDWoj]

I don't heart sankyo - not with chronic tendonitis in both my wrists...

Mind you, I never liked it much anyhow - it hurts just as much to give as to receive!

 

[JackCole]

Aikido, Judo, Kinjitsu and Kendo are the 4 I take.

 

[fareed]

hello everyone!nice to meet good people with same interests...I am doing Aikido now In China, almost 4 month already, last week get my 5th degree belti know its nothing for now, but i am happy. and i am doing Wing Chun & Wushu Sanda for 8 years... but because of steven seagal i decided to learn aikido good.good luck to everyone...
and please check my instrumental hip hop using of Above the Law soundtrack...
www.wemix.com/wutangshaolinstyle