Aikido is a type of Martial Art originated in Japan and is said to have been invented by Morihei Ueshiba. The basic tenet of aikido is resolving a conflict or bringing about peace through harmony.
It’s principles state that aikido is not about competition, but how good you are at demonstrating your technique and solving conflicts, without bringing any harm to your partner. If you have been thinking of joining aikido training and are not sure where to begin, here are some great tips you should have up your sleeve before you venture into it.
The Tips
Stretching Before Practise is a Must: Aikido involves some intense exercises and moves that require flexibility. To know where your strengths and weaknesses are, stretching is essential as you will better understand your body and what to work on as you go along.
Comfort is key during training: Always wear loose-fitting clothes when going for practise. Acquiring a dogi might not be necessary as long as you have any other type of comfortable clothing. Uncomfortable clothing could be a hindrance when making certain moves.
Falling is part of the process: In aikido, learning how to fall is part of the game. In fact, your Sensei will concentrate much of his or her time teaching you how to fall during your first classes. Take everything in stride and within no time you will have acquired great falling techniques.
Don’t bring your ego to class: In aikido, your ego has no place. Once you get into the dojo, the first thing you must always do is bow down to your Sensei. Things can get tough at times, but learn to take everything in your stride.
By and large, be ready to learn, and have fun while at it!