What should I expect from my first class? You should expect to have fun! Click here for a more detailed discussion.
At what age would Aikido be appropriate? It is difficult and perhaps unfair to specify an age. Since we presently integrate young people with our adult group we would simply ask that the child be interested in Aikido and be mature enough to participate for an hour and a half. We usually like to talk to the parents one-on-one to determine whether the child is ready for Aikido. As far as how old one can be: There is no limit. We have had people join us who were in their sixties. O Sensei was actively teaching until his death at age 86!
Is Aikido like Karate or Tae Kwan Do? Not really. Aikido has elements of jujutsu, judo and many other forms. Aikido has parallels with Tai Chi. The importance of breathing correctly and stretching is similar to yoga. The "hard arts" like Karate and Tae Kwan Do can be wonderful, but they are quite different in their emphasis and quite often in their attitude. Aikido does not have competitions while many other hard arts do. Aikido does not emphasize constant testing. We leave it up to the student to determine their path toward Shodan and beyond. Aikido does not offer constant ego fulfillment in the form of colored belts. Most important, Aikido does not emphasize destruction of one's enemy. In Aikido we simply want to end a conflict as peacefully as possible. This does not mean that Aikido is a pacifist or "wimpy' art form...Quite the contrary: Aikido has a "volume control" that resides within every person. It allows one to choose the most appropriate level of resolution. We do not denigrate other martial arts in order to elevate Aikido. Our instructors from Japan and here in Utah all have experience in other forms. They have chosen Aikido as their preferred martial art. We think people should be exposed to various arts. Our instructors and students partake in Yoga, Pilates, Egoscue, Qigong and Tai Chi for fitness, balance and core strengthening.
What is Systema and why is it being mixed in with Aikido? Visually speaking, Aikido and Systema appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. The simple answer to this question is that Systema emphasizes principles that will work in a true, high threat environment. The emphasis on breath and improvisational methods make it easier to adapt techniques to fit the situation. The skills to end a serious conflict using pure Aikido could take far longer to develop and Aikido does not address various street situations. We have found that people are able to apply Systema immediately and the Aikido evolves over time. Don't be fooled: We have met many senior Aikido people including very high ranking master instructors who are attending the Systema intensive workshops.
Why do some people wear those dresses? The hakama is not a dress. It is a traditional garment that is worn upon reaching the Shodan rank and has multiple purposes. It actually teaches advanced students to move better from their center. It also hides the movement of one's feet and the sword from their opponent which can be advantageous. The wear of the hakama goes back many years in Japanese culture.
Hakama
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