Is Aikido good for self-defence?

If you want to learn self-defence specifically, Aikido is not the one I would recommend. It takes a lot of practice (10, 20, 30 years) to develop reflexes that can be used in self-defence. What Aikido is good for is also discussed in this article. Aikido can be practised with many different ideas, so it is not easy to answer this question briefly. A previous article of mine gives more details. a more detailed discussion of this topic. read more

What is Aikido good for?

Aikido can be the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, and we can practice it for the rest of our lives. It provides the quality and quantity of movement that regular exercise makes a daily routine.
Aikido is a very complex movement system and mindset. A method that teaches you how to maintain stability in an ever-changing world. It's not a fixed state, it's just that you're always adapting to what's happening around you. Practicing over time improves posture, stability, develops movement culture, teaches you to roll, fall, develops reflexes that come in handy in certain situations. We practice in groups, in a pleasant atmosphere where you can make friends.

My sedentary lifestyle has made me slightly overweight, can I still exercise?

Yes, as long as you can lift a glass of water, you can do Aikido. Regular exercise and proper balanced diet. Don't wait, because it will only get harder to start. Aikido is perfect for you, but if you don't have the opportunity to do it jogging, cycling or walking is also an excellent form of exercise. Be patient and persistent!

I haven't exercised for a while, I'm not very physically fit, can I come?

Aikido techniques do not require above average physical ability or stamina. If you feel that your health If you feel that your health limits you in many ways, feel free to try it, you will gradually notice that you can do more and more. Workout you can stop, sit down, rest, there is no problem with that.

Do women come here?

Yes, Aikido is also perfect for women because it does not require physical strength.

What age group goes to Aikido?

We have practitioners from young children to seniors, from almost all age groups. This makes it a very colourful and friendly environment.

I'm afraid that I won't be able to do it, because I've never been particularly agile. Is that a problem?

Aikido is not easy, in the beginning almost everyone experiences that they have to concentrate very hard on the tasks. Every part of the body is involved in the and you have to learn them, which takes time. But the good news is that endurance plays a much bigger role than how good you are at the beginning.

Are only Japanese words spoken in training?

Only a small part of the training takes place in Japanese, these are the greetings, the names of the techniques, maybe the counting. This may seem strange at first, but but it's easy to get used to. Of course, we'll help you with everything and explain the meaning of the words so you won't feel lost. you won't feel lost.

I find it very difficult to start new things because I'm afraid of the unknown. How do you welcome newcomers at your first training sessions?

This is natural, many people come with fears and uncertainties. The good news is that Aikido training is very supportive and friendly. atmosphere, it's natural for everyone to help each other, and even more so for beginners.

How and when can I join the training sessions?

Sign up for the waiting list, meditate for ten years, and if you still feel like coming, call the Master :-)

Is Aikido a martial art or a combat sport?

Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art with samurai roots. There is no competition, the goal is consistent practice, which is not not with opponents but with training partners. Everyone develops by helping each other.

I am afraid of injuries, are they frequent?

Injury is very rare, it is not common. The person leading the exercise needs to know exactly who is capable of what and should be matched with the right exercise partner and tasks accordingly. A meaningless injury can take you out of practice for a long time, which is not the goal. Many people practice Aikido in old age, when injuries are difficult to recover from. In Aikido there is no competition, no pressure to perform, which is often the cause of injuries.

What are those black trousers like the advanced ones wear?

The garment known as "hakama" is part of traditional Japanese martial arts attire. Most Japanese martial arts (such as Kyudo and Kendo) require students to wear hakama. White belts do not wear hakama in the dojo so that instructors can more easily control the student's lower body position and movement. Hakamas are not usually worn in competitive sports such as judo and karate, as judges and referees need to see the legs of competitors and wearing them can lead to injury.

Why are there no coloured belts ?

All non-black belt practitioners wear white belts, which is the tradition of Japanese budo. White belts are worn by practitioners from beginner level 6 kyu to 1-kyu, and black belts from 1 dan upwards. For children, a coloured belt is also used to mark the differences between levels for motivational purposes.

How do I know if I have chosen the right place to practice?

One thing is for sure, you won't be able to tell from an armchair, you have to go and try it. Most people don't make a conscious choice anyway, but on the basis of what is available to them in the first place. There's nothing wrong with that, but if you have more than one option, it's worth look at several schools. It doesn't hurt to go for at least a few weeks so you can make an informed decision. During this time, observe the master and the more advanced students' attitudes towards the beginners, the general atmosphere, and the teaching style. You can identify with these things, do they fit into your values? Do the personalities of the masters and instructors match yours, do you feel comfortable accepting what they have to say, you hear from them? Perhaps the most important aspect is how you arrive and leave the training session feeling. The initial excitement is completely is normal, but it should pass by the end of the session. If you go home smiling, relaxed and feeling physically and mentally recharged, it's is a good sign.

Can I take private Aikido lessons?

It is possible, but because Aikido is not just form exercises, but more of it is pair exercises, it has an important role of the team. The ability to try a technique with different partners. Everyone has different physical abilities, so no two people are the same, two techniques are the same. You will gain experience by practising with many partners of different abilities.

What Aikido techniques do we learn first?

As a beginner, the most important thing is to get to know the basics of Aikido. Our teaching method is to teach a technique for a relatively long time, over several for several hours, even weeks. An integral part of Aikido developed by Master Shoji Nishio is the weapons drills, which is part of the practice even as a beginner. Therefore, even two weeks dedicated to one technique will never be boring or monotonous. With this method you will see the connections between freehand and weapon techniques, giving you a deeper and more profound knowledge.

What is characteristic of Aikido techniques?

When practicing Aikido, it is important to follow some basic rules so that what you are doing is really Aikido. Specific to Aikido, not to work against the force, if possible always with avoids, using the attacker's force, using it to divert the balance to bring him to an unbalanced state. His movements are characterised by a 3-dimensional circle or spiral form, ranging from the very large to the almost imperceptible.

As a beginner, what should I wear to the training session?

The Aikido clothing is not required for beginners. It is important to be able to try out the training and if you have decided to take up Aikido it is sufficient to buy one before the first exam. Until then, a white T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants are appropriate attire. As you are practising on tatami it is important not to wear a zipper as this can cause injury and tear the mat.