So, I just started Aikido. I've only had one lesson, where I practiced forward and backward rolls. My second lesson is on Wednesday.
Does anybody here practice Aikido? Any tips for a beginner like me?
Yeah, sure. 4th kyu with a local aikikai dojo here. No, no particular tips for the beginner except that the left side of the gi top goes over the right side. Your shoulders will lose their sharp corners soon enough. Keep practising the rolls from both sides, so you don't end up lopsided; that's a fucking bother to undo.
The fun stuff probably won't start properly until the third or fourth session, if the first didn't include any technique. I remember that we had beginner forms of ikkyo and shihonage on the first lesson after some ukemi & tenkan exercises, so maybe your sensei is taking it slow and careful (if a little boring).
Do you just want an exercise or a practical fighting style?
Ooh, I smell a "but that ain't a real martial art, in real martial arts you fucking kill people with your pinky finger!" wankfest coming up.
BE CAREFUL WHEN TAKING FALLS/UKEMI/WHATEVER. I took aikido lessons and was in some pretty lousy situations and got injured twice. I am no longer a student, but I realize where I screwed up and where the dojo screwed up as well.
I started out as an aikido student and was enjoying myself. When you start practicing, you should be taking ukemi at your own pace. Your partner shouldn't be actually practicing the moves on you, he should be more concerned about letting you learn the movements. After a month or two worth of lessons, you'll probably be in decent shape to take a fall as a result of a move, not just from being told "and here's where you fall," a la Johnny Cage from the Mortal Kombat movie.
When doing a roll, be absolutely sure not to end up inadvertently on your head. That means your body is pressing down on your head upside-down and bad shit ensues. I was caught in a forward roll, legs up in a new move, before I realized I was on my head. Something popped in my neck/shoulder, and that was in January '05. It still bothers me to this day. I can't fully stretch and have been in chiropractic care and physical therapy. It's now turning back to normal very slowly, and very expensive. It's good to have Aetna health insurance, kids.
Also, be sure that the partner you practice with is really willing to work at your level. Your sensei should be directing the right people to work with you in that regard. The aikido injury that ended my "career" was done by a guy who was a few levels above me. It was a throw from the shoulder that spun my arm around as I fell onto my back, but he threw me too hard and he didn't let go of my hand at the right time or angle. My shoulder took the brunt and it was nearly dislocated. My right arm was out of action for about a week and a half. Methylprednisone and herbal anti-inflammatories saved my ass.
I respect aikido as a martial art and with what it stands for, but next time, I'm not taking a tumbling/grappling art. There's a naginata dojo near me in Jersey City that's my next choice as soon as con season is over.
Read up a little on aikido. It's not a fighting style, it's a way to end a fight before someone - either the aggressor or the target - gets hurt, and it does so without injury.
>>1
It's nice to hear you joined a class, the first step is always the hardest in terms of attending a class full of strangers.
I'm a martial artist myself, but not aikido, i specialise in yang tai chi, the hand and sword form.
Best advice i can give you really is just to stick at it, and basic common sense like listen to your sensei.
Martial arts is a great way to be more self-confidence, increase your focus, discipline, physical, mental and emotional strength, and protect those you love.
the two years i've been practising tai chi i feel alot more healthier than i've ever been, which is another good side effect to any sport in general.
in terms of the specifics of aikido, i dont really know that much, but i hear meditation helps with your kiai's (spirit shouting)as your breath is the outward representation of your spirit.
but yeah, have fun! and tell us how its going!
>>5
In a nutshell: don't be reckless, and don't train recklessly even if your partner happens to be reckless. From what I hear (and what I've seen), your kind of bad shit is fairly rare.
Sounds to me like they're taking it nice and slow. A few sessions of forward and backward rolls and the non-rolling backward ukemis that beginners do from e.g. iriminage sounds just about right. ... and anyway, the only throw they're going to do at beginner levels is udekimenage, with Aikikai anyway, and you only do a really basic forward roll from it, at your own pace.