Questions/Answers

What is Aikido ?

• Aikido is a Japanese martial art that teaches self-defense and how to manage conflict situations through exercises with weapons and empty hands.
• Aikido is intended for anyone with good intentions who wishes to learn an authentic, non-competitive martial art.

What equipment should be brought ?

• For the first sessions, you can wear loose-fitting pants and a shirt to allow free movement.
• Wooden weapons (Bokken and Jo) are available at the dojo.
• Students who wish can later obtain the training jacket, training pants (Keiko-gi), and a set of wooden weapons (Bokken and Jo) from the instructor.

What physical skills are developed ?

• The execution of techniques emphasizes flexibility and joint strengthening.
• Movement exercises aim to improve balance, posture, and mastery of the center of gravity.

What other qualities does Aikido help develop ?

• Respect for one’s training partner (adapting one’s level to that of the other).
• Development of self-confidence in conflict situations while maintaining calm.
• Promotion of a group spirit: each practitioner demonstrates kindness and works with all others.

What are the goals of learning Aikido ?

• Learning to protect oneself and loved ones in various situations (such as falls, obstacles, or pushes).
• Not opposing an aggression but rather evading or absorbing it.
• Gradually acquiring an understanding of the principles underlying all techniques of Aikido, which can be applied in daily life.
• Transmitting the teachings of Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba.

What does a typical session look like ?

• The session begins with a traditional opening bow to the instructor in SEIZA (sitting on the knees).
• It continues with TAISO practice, which consists of individual warm-up exercises to acquire the basic movements of Aïkido, such as footwork and rolls.
• Then, students move on to KIHON practice, where they work on basic techniques applied to empty-hand or wooden weapon grabs.
• The session ends with a traditional closing bow to the instructor in SEIZA.

What does progression look like throughout the session?

• Progression occurs primarily through the execution and mastery of increasingly advanced exercises and techniques.
• This progression is recognized by the issuance of a KYU (grade for beginners), corresponding to a colored belt (yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black), with the black belt representing the 1st DAN (advanced grade).
• Evaluation criteria differ between adults and children:
  • For children, three main criteria are considered: attendance, concentration, and execution of an exercise.
  • For adults (beginner level), it is necessary to demonstrate knowledge of basic empty-hand and weapon techniques (a defined program) through five exams corresponding to KYU grades (from yellow to brown).
• The awarding of a grade typically occurs at the end of a school year (three sessions) and depends on the progression and attendance of each practitioner.
• Once a practitioner has achieved the five Kyu, they can take the exam for the 1st Dan grade (black belt).