DOJO ETIQUETTE
When stepping on or leaving the mat space, students bow. This is a martial arts tradition of showing respect.
Students should sit quietly in seiza (kneel on the mat) a few minutes before the start of class.
Students should assemble as soon as the last class ends in seiza (kneel on the mat) before the start of next class.
All students line up in seiza corresponding to rank. Highest ranked student will start the line on the right hand side facing the front of the room.
When the instructor comes onto the mat to lead the class, he/she will bow to O-Sensei and Shioda Sensei’s pictures at the front of the room, showing respect for the founder of Aikido and the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. The students then bow to the instructor – this formally opens the class.
We usually start with warmup and stretches for each class. If you have any questions about the warm up exercises or stretches please stand next to a black belt and follow accordingly.
Techniques are practiced with a partner. Your partner is not an opponent. Techniques are learned through him/her and with him/her.
Care should be taken to be aware of the ability and physicality of your partner so that no injuries occur.
It is proper to ask the instructor for permission for water or bathroom break during class, and for permission to leave early. It is proper to ask the instructor for permission to practice when arriving late for class.
At the end of class, the instructor and students bow to O-Sensei’s picture, then the students bow to the instructor.
When observing class, spectators should remain quiet out of respect for the instructor and practicing students.
DON’T – sit with your legs stretched out; wear rings, watches, or necklace; chew gum; or have long finger or toenails.
Terminology
FREQUENTLY USED
Hajime begin training
Hidari hanmi Kamae Left side kamae
Kamae Posture, often used interchangeably with hanmi. Formal ready-stance
Kiotsuke stand at attention
Migi Hanmi Kamae Right side kamae
Seiza Formal sitting posture (sitting on your ankles)
Sensei ni rei Bow with Sensei
Shintzen ni rei Bow to the Shintzen
Shite Uke Kotai Shite and uke reverse roles
LEARN FIRST
Ai-hanmi When both practitioners assume the same stance, both right or both left
Gyaku-hanmi Kamae Both practitioners assume opposite stances, one right, the other left
Hiriki no yosei Elbow power. There are two movements (ichi & ni) both are Kihon Dosa.
Katate-mochi One-handed grab
Kihon-dosa Basic movements
Kihon waza Basic techniques
Koho kaiten ukemi Backwards roll
Koho ukemi Back break fall
Rei-ho Etiquette
Shite Person executing the technique or throw
Tai no henko Body change. There are two movements (ichi & ni) both are Kihon Dosa
Uke Person who is receiving the technique; the one who is thrown/pinned
Ukemi Falling/taking a fall
Zenpo kaiten ukemi Forward rolling break fall
ADDITIONAL WORDS
Atemi Strike or blow
Hiji-shime Elbow lock
Ikkajo First control
Irimi-nage Entering throw
Kakari geiko Circle training
Katate-mochi One-handed grab
Kokyu-nage Breath throw
Kote-gaeshi Translates as “return the wrist”, a wrist joint lock
Maai Combination of distance and timing between persons
Mitori geiko Training through observation, commonly done when students are ill or injured
Mokuso silent/still+thoughts/thinking= silence your thoughts
Nikajo Second control
Ryote-mochi Grabbing both hands
Sankajo Third control
Shiho-nage Four-direction throw
Shikko-ho Knee-walking
Shomen-uchi Front strike
Shumatsu dosa Finishing movement. Two movements (ichi & ni). Both are Kihon Dosa
Sokumen-uchi Strike to the top of the head
Suri-ashi Sliding steps
Suwari-waza Seated techniques
Tachi-waza Standing techniques
Ushiro Kaiten Ukemi Backward roll
Yokomen-uchi Strike to the side of the head
Yonkajo Fourth control
Zanshin Alert and ready manner which is maintained after the completion of each technique
