Greetings to all Beginners.
Rangiora Aikido Dojo operates under the Technical Direction of Nobuo Takase 7th Dan. Takase Sensei is the head of the Aikido Shinryukan Orginisation, which is based in Auckland. Takase Sensei is an Aikikai Shihan, or Master Instructor within the International Aikido World Headquarters Organization, which is based in Tokyo, Japan.
Takase Sensei conducts all gradings within Aikido Shinryukan. Gradings are held twice annually and are conducted in front of your peers. These tests are very easy to start with, as you can imagine, and get harder once you begin to ascend the Aikido ladder. Black Belt, or Shodan, can be reached in about four and a half years depending on your training hours and dedication.
Starting off: You are welcome to come along to any class and watch or try it out. If you want to contact one of the Instructors beforehand, so that we know to expect you, that would be great. We can answer any questions you have at the same time. You're welcome to try a class for free without obligation.
You don't need to purchase a Uniform ("Gi") straight-away. Just wear something comfortable to exercise in until you're ready to commit, there is no rush.
If you arrive a little early at your first class, the Instructor (Sensei) will tell you what to expect. Basically class will begin with everyone lined up sitting Japanese style (a position called "Seiza") in order of rank. Everyone will bow first to the picture of O'Sensei, and then the Sensei whilst saying "Onegai shimasu" (pronounced Honour-guy-she-mus), meaning roughly "Please let us train". Practice will then begin, and will generally consist of a technique being demonstrated, and then training will begin with students performing that technique (usually in pairs or small groups).
The higher grades will assist you in the early stages, and your initial classes will pay particular attention to learning the Breakfalls ("Ukemi").
Class ends, like it begins, with everyone lined up in Seiza to bow, but this time saying "Domo arigatou gozaimashita" (pronounced Domo ari-gato goz-eye-mush-ta), meaning "Thanks very much for what has gone before".
Rangiora Aikido Dojo operates under the Technical Direction of Nobuo Takase 7th Dan. Takase Sensei is the head of the Aikido Shinryukan Orginisation, which is based in Auckland. Takase Sensei is an Aikikai Shihan, or Master Instructor within the International Aikido World Headquarters Organization, which is based in Tokyo, Japan.
Takase Sensei conducts all gradings within Aikido Shinryukan. Gradings are held twice annually and are conducted in front of your peers. These tests are very easy to start with, as you can imagine, and get harder once you begin to ascend the Aikido ladder. Black Belt, or Shodan, can be reached in about four and a half years depending on your training hours and dedication.
Starting off: You are welcome to come along to any class and watch or try it out. If you want to contact one of the Instructors beforehand, so that we know to expect you, that would be great. We can answer any questions you have at the same time. You're welcome to try a class for free without obligation.
You don't need to purchase a Uniform ("Gi") straight-away. Just wear something comfortable to exercise in until you're ready to commit, there is no rush.
If you arrive a little early at your first class, the Instructor (Sensei) will tell you what to expect. Basically class will begin with everyone lined up sitting Japanese style (a position called "Seiza") in order of rank. Everyone will bow first to the picture of O'Sensei, and then the Sensei whilst saying "Onegai shimasu" (pronounced Honour-guy-she-mus), meaning roughly "Please let us train". Practice will then begin, and will generally consist of a technique being demonstrated, and then training will begin with students performing that technique (usually in pairs or small groups).
The higher grades will assist you in the early stages, and your initial classes will pay particular attention to learning the Breakfalls ("Ukemi").
Class ends, like it begins, with everyone lined up in Seiza to bow, but this time saying "Domo arigatou gozaimashita" (pronounced Domo ari-gato goz-eye-mush-ta), meaning "Thanks very much for what has gone before".
This list of Japanese terms will help you decipher the names of many movements commonly used in our Aikido classes.
As with any exercise, it is possible that you will feel a little sore the next day. But you are welcome to go at your own pace at training. Being a Martial Art, many of the techniques use pain to discourage your attacker from attacking you, but this is applied in a very controlled manner in training, that allows you to indicate to your partner your discomfort before you experience real pain. So, you are always in control of the intensity at which you train.
Although Aikido is a very dynamic and powerful Martial Art, it is contrary to the principles of Aikido to genuinely injure an attacker, and very much frowned upon, to train recklessly in a manner that injures a training partner. So injuries are rarer in Aikido, than in many other Martial Arts or Sports. Please inform the Instructor and your training partners of any injuries you may have or incur during Aikido training, and they will ensure further injury is prevented. It is often possible to continue with your training while recovering from minor injury because of the careful manner in which training is conducted.
Although Aikido is a very dynamic and powerful Martial Art, it is contrary to the principles of Aikido to genuinely injure an attacker, and very much frowned upon, to train recklessly in a manner that injures a training partner. So injuries are rarer in Aikido, than in many other Martial Arts or Sports. Please inform the Instructor and your training partners of any injuries you may have or incur during Aikido training, and they will ensure further injury is prevented. It is often possible to continue with your training while recovering from minor injury because of the careful manner in which training is conducted.
