Aikido, the way of the peacful warrior

General Information

Contents

  1. Schools of Aikido
  2. Techniques of Aikido
  3. A Typical Training Session
  4. Ranks
  5. Losts More Information
  6. Sources
    1. Image Sources
    2. Bibliography

The Schools of Aikido

There are many schools around the world that teach Aikido. Schools range from small to large organisations and originate from a student that breaks off from their current school to teach their own version of it.

All schools have slight technique variations with minor to major differences in curriculum structure to that of the Aikido federation. However all schools share the same general techniques, and principles that make up Aikido. That is, minimising harm to both themselves and the attacker.

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In any case, most schools teach the following as part of their curriculum:

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Techniques of Aikido

Below is a list of the 15 most basic techniques outlined in Nev Sagiba's four diamonds 1024. It is believed that all other technique variations stem from these base 1.

  1. Ikkyo
  2. Nikyo
  3. Sankyo
  4. Yonkyo
  5. Gokyo
  6. Shiho Nage
  7. Kokyo Nage
  8. Kote Gaeshi
  9. Iriminage
  10. Tenchi Nage
  11. Kaiten Nage
  12. Juji Garami
  13. Koshi Nage
  14. Sumi Atoshi
  15. Aiki Atoshi

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A Typical Training Session

Training sessions can last anywhere between 1-3 hours with one or two techniques being the focus of each lesson. A typical training session will begin with a bow in to a portrait of Osensei at the front of the dojo, followed by warm up exercises.

After stretching, the instructor will demonstrate a technique that will be the focus for the day's class.

All students will pair up with a partner and take turns at being Uke(The attacker) and Nage(the one that performs the technique).

When the instructor will keep an eye on the class and provide tips/corrections where nessessary and when they feel that it is time to move on, then they will then begin a weapons training session by demonstrating a weapons technique for the class to practice.

The weapons session, is followed by brief cool down exercises followed by a bow towards Kameza where the class will end.

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Ranks of Aikido

Aikido ranks range from 10th Kyu white belt to 10th Dan black belt. Adult beginners typically start out getting their 5th Kyu, while children start out getting their 10th. 10th Dan is the highest possible attainable rank.

All Aikido schools do not adopt, with the exception of a coloured belt system,

Below is a list of ranks according to the Aikikai and how long it roughly takes to obtain each rank.

Rank Time Cumulative Time
5th Kyu 30 Days of Practice 30 days
4th Kyu 40 Days of practice after 5th Kyu 70 Days
3rd Kyu 50 Days of practice after 4th Kyu 120 Days
2nd Kyu 50 Days of practice after 3rd Kyu 170 days
1st Kyu 60 Days of practice after 2nd Kyu 230 Days
1st Dan 70 Days of practice after 1st Kyu 300 Days
2nd Dan Minimim 1 year since 1st Dan with 200 days of practice 1 year, 500 days
3rd Dan Minimim 2 years since 2nd Dan with 300 days of practice 3 years, 800 Days
4th Dan Minimim 3 years since 3rd Dan with 400 days of practice 6 years waiting, 1200 Days of practice

This is still a rough estimate as most dojos usually only hold 3 training sessions per week. Also, other systems and styles will have different training requirements. So it may take more or less time depending on which school a beginner chooses train under.

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Lots more Information

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Sources

Image Sources

All images used have been altered to work with this site.

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Bibliography

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