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 Organisation, which is based in Auckland. Takase Sensei is an Aikikai Shihan, or Master Instructor within the International Aikido World Headquarters Organization, based in Tokyo, Japan.
Takase Sensei and senior teaching staff conduct gradings within Aikido Shinryukan. Gradings at Rangiora dojo are held twice annually and are conducted in front of your peers. These tests are smaller to start with and get harder as you progress through your Aikido journey. 1st degree black belt, or shodan, can be reached in about four and a half years depending on your training hours and dedication.
Just starting?
You are welcome to come along to try a class with no obligation to join. If possible please contact us beforehand so that we know to expect you. We can answer any questions you have at the same time.
Our Basics Class is aimed at the new student - this is your class to learn the fundamentals and gain confidence in ukemi (learning to fall). You will train in the Basics Classes until you are comfortable with the fundamentals, and then you can progress to train in any of the adult classes we offer.
You don't need to purchase a training uniform ("keiko-gi") straight-away. Just wear something comfortable to exercise in until you're ready to commit, there is no rush. T-shirt and sweat pants are ideal - long pants are essential.
It is preferred that you arrive a little early at your first class, the instructor (sensei) will tell you what to expect. Class will begin with everyone lined up sitting 'Japanese style' (a position called seiza) in order of rank. Everyone will bow first to the front of the dojo (shomen), and then to sensei - whilst saying "onegaishimasu" (pronounced "Honour-guy-she-mus"), meaning roughly 'Please let us train'. Practice will then begin. This will generally consist of movements or techniques being demonstrated, and then practice with students performing that exercise in pairs or small groups.
The higher graded students are there to assist you. In your initial classes pay particular attention to learning the falling techniques (ukemi). Good falling makes it easier for us to get back up and continue training.
Class ends, as it begins, with everyone lined up in Seiza to bow - 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 Organisation, which is based in Auckland. Takase Sensei is an Aikikai Shihan, or Master Instructor within the International Aikido World Headquarters Organization, based in Tokyo, Japan.
Takase Sensei and senior teaching staff conduct gradings within Aikido Shinryukan. Gradings at Rangiora dojo are held twice annually and are conducted in front of your peers. These tests are smaller to start with and get harder as you progress through your Aikido journey. 1st degree black belt, or shodan, can be reached in about four and a half years depending on your training hours and dedication.
Just starting?
You are welcome to come along to try a class with no obligation to join. If possible please contact us beforehand so that we know to expect you. We can answer any questions you have at the same time.
Our Basics Class is aimed at the new student - this is your class to learn the fundamentals and gain confidence in ukemi (learning to fall). You will train in the Basics Classes until you are comfortable with the fundamentals, and then you can progress to train in any of the adult classes we offer.
You don't need to purchase a training uniform ("keiko-gi") straight-away. Just wear something comfortable to exercise in until you're ready to commit, there is no rush. T-shirt and sweat pants are ideal - long pants are essential.
It is preferred that you arrive a little early at your first class, the instructor (sensei) will tell you what to expect. Class will begin with everyone lined up sitting 'Japanese style' (a position called seiza) in order of rank. Everyone will bow first to the front of the dojo (shomen), and then to sensei - whilst saying "onegaishimasu" (pronounced "Honour-guy-she-mus"), meaning roughly 'Please let us train'. Practice will then begin. This will generally consist of movements or techniques being demonstrated, and then practice with students performing that exercise in pairs or small groups.
The higher graded students are there to assist you. In your initial classes pay particular attention to learning the falling techniques (ukemi). Good falling makes it easier for us to get back up and continue training.
Class ends, as it begins, with everyone lined up in Seiza to bow - 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 exercising, it is possible that you will feel a little sore the next day. Remember, you are welcome to go at your own pace at training.
Being a Martial Art, many of the techniques we practice use pain to discourage your attacker from continuing. In class this can be applied in a very controlled manner that allows you to indicate to your partner your discomfort before you experience real pain. 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, so they can help to 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 - talk to your instructor and training partners.
See you soon on the mat!
Being a Martial Art, many of the techniques we practice use pain to discourage your attacker from continuing. In class this can be applied in a very controlled manner that allows you to indicate to your partner your discomfort before you experience real pain. 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, so they can help to 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 - talk to your instructor and training partners.
See you soon on the mat!
