Starting Aikido at White Oak
Aikido Reading and Whitton
You're welcome
to watch as many of our Aikido training
sessions as you like and try a taster
session - all free of charge and without commitment, before you
join and commit to training in Aikido.
Whilst at the dojo, you can also ask the
instructors any questions you may have or
talk to the other students
before or after training.
Your first Aikido class
Entering a martial
arts dojo for the first time might be a
daunting experience. The media often portray a
martial arts club as somewhere people shout at
you a lot and make you do press-ups if you get
anything wrong.
That’s not us! We strive to create an
environment where you feel welcome, you can learn, progress safely at
your own pace and enjoy your training. One new
student said that
the thing he remembered most about his first
practice at White Oak Aikido was how much
everyone smiled. However, Aikido is a martial
art and we will also do our best to challenge
you both physically and mentally.
Your first few sessions are really heavy on the
basic posture and movement exercises, before
progressing to any throws or immobilisations, so
don’t expect to be able to do what the more
senior members are doing after your first week!
Above all, we stress safety and ensure that you
understand how to apply and receive techniques
safely at all stages of your training.
Especially when you first start, you’ll always
be working with a more experienced student, as
well as having in depth teaching and feedback
from one of our qualified coaches.
What should I wear for Aikido?
All
you require to begin your Aikido training is loose
comfortable clothing (tracksuit trousers and a t-shirt are ideal). No
shoes or socks are worn and all jewellery must be removed for
safety. Sandals (zori) of some sort
should always be worn to the edge of the mat to
avoid treading any dirt
onto the mat. Nothing else is required
except the curiosity to try and see if you like
it! In due
course, you
can purchase
Aikido training uniforms (gi), jo, bokken and
tanto through the club - You'll find it cheaper
and we use any proceeds to subsidise course
attendance
for members. Dan grades wear hakama, pleated
skirt-like trousers which formed a traditional part of samurai
clothing. Coloured belts are used to indicate
grades.
Structure of an Aikido class
The class starts with a
warm up and some basic exercises. Then, typically
the instructor demonstrates an Aikido technique
and the students pair up and practise what has
been shown, alternating the roles of nage (the
person doing the technique) and uke (the person
receiving the techniquer). Japanese names are used
for the techniques, but instructions are given in
English. Most techniques are easier to understand
by observing and attempting to copy what has been
shown rather than by detailed verbal description
but, if you're having
problems, you're always encouraged to ask for help
- one of the teaching team will always be happy to
offer guidance. At the end of the class, there's
usually a summary of what we've done and a cooling
down session.
Aikido
training at home
To support your Aikido
training in the dojo, you'll have access to Kyu
Said? This unique and comprehensive online
resource is available to our members in both
Whitton and Caversham. It's designed to help you
review what you've done at training and also
offers a variety of videos and other information
about Aikido.
Aikido
grades and gradings
Aikido
students
begin training at the rank of 7th Kyu (red belt)
and then progress through white, yellow, orange,
green and blue belt to 1st Kyu (brown belt) and
then on to Dan grades (black belt). Gradings
occur as students reach the required standard
which, of course, depends
on the individual. The emphasis is on learning
and enjoying rather than concentrating on
grades! We do not hold competitions, and there
is no sparring. Gradings are a demonstration
of your skills and knowledge.
Aikido weapons
training
Since many Aikido
movements are derived from the use of weapons,
training with weapons can improve performance and
understanding
of the empty-handed Aikido techniques, as well as
helping to train the body. At White Oak Aikido
Whitton and Reading, we train with jo (wooden
staff) and bokken (wooden sword). This takes the
form of solo practices (suburi and kata), as well
as partner practices. Other weapons training
includes defences against knife (tanto) attacks
and methods of disarming an opponent.
Behaviour and etiquette
in the Aikido dojo
There are a number of
guidelines of what is expected from you at an
Aikido practice that are there to ensure
everyone's safety and enjoyment. These are given
to you when you join the Aikido Foundations
Course. They are only general points to bear in
mind rather than hard and fast rules of behaviour;
training at White Oak Aikido at both Whitton and
Reading is fairly relaxed (etiquette at other
dojo/organisations may differ).
You'll see the more
experienced students bow at several points during
an Aikido practice. By bowing, you show respect
and thanks to O Sensei, to the instructor or to
your training partner. It also provides a physical
reminder to concentrate on the task at hand and to
take into consideration the abilities of your
training partner when performing a technique. Just
copy what the other students do and you'll soon
get the hang of it. In Japanese society, a bow is
akin to the western handshake, it does not have
any religious significance. However, if bowing is
an issue for you, please discuss it with us.
Visiting
Aikidoka
More
experienced Aikidoka visiting from other clubs
should please contact
us before your visit or
you will be unable to train. You
will need to conform to our COVID-safety
procedures. Also, due to the insurance
requirements of the British Aikido
Board, you will need show that you have
insurance suitable for this martial art in order
to join a session.
-
-
If you are a UK resident, we may
be able to insure you for your session,
please contact
us for details.
-
If you are visiting from outside
the UK, you will need to show proof of
insurance in English. Please contact us
in advance.
Privacy Policy
©White Oak Aikido