Learning Aikido

Forty years ago I started learning Aikido. I practiced for a few months and passed a practical exam.

Last year, I started practicing again.

I was a beginner forty years ago, now I am less than a beginner.

Many resources are available on the web. Actually, too many are available. It is difficult to know where to start.

My current teacher is Rene Canabate, a 5th Dan, in the tradition of Morihei Ueshiba and Morihiro Saito.

Before class we stretch and then practice ukemi (falls), both forward and backward.

We begin each class with Tae No Henko. It can be done two ways, Ki No Nagare (flowing) or Awase (blending). Basic techniques are known as kihon.

The attacker is the uke and the defender is the nage, but most important is the relationship between uke and nage.

The uke attacks in several ways:
Morote Dori - two hand grab on one wrist
Shomen Uchi - overhead attack with edge of hand, like a sword attack
Munetski - punch to stomach

The nage has several responses to each attack:
Ikkyo
Nikyo
Sankyo
Yankyo
Gokyo
Kokyu Ho - breath technique
Kotegaeshi

Place the attack with the defense to name the relationship between the uke and nage:
Shomen Uchi Ikkyo
Shomen Uchi Omote Waza
Munetsuki Kotegaeshi 
Munetsuki Omote Waza

The above techniques are the requirements for the 6th kyu exam.

Sensei recommends that students practice 13 jo and 31 jo when not in class. He recommends the teachers Saito Sensei and Yamata.

Saito Sensei Videos

1. Demonstration
2. Japanese Promotion 
3. Demonstration Iriminage
4. Shomen Uchi
5. Shomen Uchi Ikkyo with translation. 
6. Shomen Uchi Sankyo
7. Shomen Uchi (5th form)
8. Shomen Uchi Shiho Nage
9. 20 Jo Suburi

The Aikido glossary is helpful.

There are several Aikido schools that publish kyu requirements.

Aikikai

6th Kyu (Rokukyu) 20 practice days since beginning

• Seiza (sitting) (a) Rei (bowing) (b) Rise from seiza
• Shikko* (walking on knees) (mae and ushiro [forward and backward])
• Hanmi (standing) (a) Migi Hanmi [right foot forward] (b) Hidari Hanmi [left foot forward]
• Ukemi (rolls) (a) Ushiro ukemi (1) back fall (2) back roll* (b) Mae ukemi* (forward)
• Kokyu undo (a) Funakogi undo (b) Ikkyo undo
• Tai sabaki (body movement) (a) Tenkan (b) Irimi (c) Irimi tenkan (d) Tenshin
• Hanmi (w/partner) (a) Ai hanmi (reversed) (b) Gyaku hanmi (mirrored)
• Atemi (w/partner) (a) Tsuki (b) Yokomenuchi (c) Shomenuchi
• Tai no henko (w/partner) as both uke and nage
• Kokyudosa

* Instructor's option - depending on age and ability.

5th Kyu (Gokyu) 40 days after 6th Kyu, or 60 practice days

• Shomenuchi Ikkyo (omote and ura)
• Shomenuchi Iriminage
• Katatetori Shihonage (omote and ura)
• Ryotetori Tenchinage
• Tsuki Kotegaeshi
• Ushiro Tekubitori Kotogaeshi
• Morotetori Kokyuho