In the Class

What can you expect when you join Shibumi Aikikai?

·         Membership in Shibumi Aikikai, an Aikido club affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Aikido Federations

·         Concern with for well being and learning

·         Good instruction and a vigorous work-out

·         Periodic guest instructors from the local Aikido community, giving you opportunities to broaden your exposure to Aikido...to top of page

What is expected of you?

·         A desire to learn,

·         Respect for fellow practitioners and towards Aikido,

·         Arriving on-time for class,

·         Partaking in at least two classes per week,

·         Staying focused during the class, (no unnecessary distractions, talking, noise etc.)

·         Concern for the safety and well-being of others (no rough-play, bullying etc.)

·         Join Shibumi Aikikai – annual membership fee - $20.00 per person.

·         Take out individual membership in the Canadian Aikido Federation – annual membership fee - $10.00 per person.

·         Wear a proper uniform (Judo gi) after your 5th class

(Note: As the Aikido classes are held in the YMCA, you must be a YMCA member to pasrticipate.) ...to top of page

Dojo Etiquette 

The word dojo means practice hall.  In the Martial Arts it also carries a greater meaning.  It represents a place of learning that in a way holds it’s own identity.  It is here that we share our knowledge and experience in Aikido.  At the front of the dojo is a picture of O-sensei who was the founder of Aikido.  The place where the founders’ photo is displayed is referred to as the shomen.

Being an Asian art we retain the system of manners that is used there.  The bow in Japan is a demonstration of politeness, as we use the handshake.  In greeting someone you would bow each in turn to be polite.  In the dojo we bow on entering and leaving the room as well as a formal bow (from seiza, kneeling) when coming on and leaving the mat surface.  This is to show respect to the mat as a place of learning and to demonstrate respect to the founder and the life that he committed to Aikido.

You should always be on the mat a few minutes before class begins.  This helps prevent late arrivals from distracting the class and disrupting the lessons.  It is also considered common politeness in Japanese culture to be punctual. Also, for reasons of safety you should not wear any loose jewellery, e.g. necklaces, earrings, rings and don’t chew gum or eat candy.

Leading the class, the instructor will bow to the shomen as a sign of respect.  The instructor will then turn and bow to the students and the students will return the courtesy.  All will say together onegai shimasu, which means, “I request the favour (of your instruction/co-operation in training)”.  The students and the instructor are each demonstrating their mutual respect for the other in the sharing of Aikido. ...to top of page

Class Begins

The instructor will call for the assistance of a student to act as uke or opponent to demonstrate the technique to be practised.  After demonstrating 4-5 times the Sensei (instructor) will call to choose partners and practice begins.  Each student bows to his or her partner and they move to a clear space to practice.  This will be repeated throughout class as we work together to improve our Aikido. Students are encouraged to be pro-active in choosing partners....to top of page

Class Ends

At the end of class the instructor will call for students to “stretch backs”, as a final loosening up exercise and the students will line up facing the Shomen.  The steps to begin class are repeated except that when the instructor bows to the class the sensei and students will say domo arigato gozaimashita meaning, “I am very much/humbly obliged to you”. 

 At this point Sensei will call for everyone to "make a circle", and ask everyone in the class to bow to partners. You as a student will find and bow to all of your partners from that class, saying thank you in English or Japanese.  It is a further courtesy at the end of class. While all members are in a circle the instructor may have announcements concerning the dojo or welcomes to extend to visiting students.  It is important to recognise that in the circle all may offer comments and announcements.  It is an opportunity to share....to top of page

The Social Contract

In Aikido we are practising physical and sometimes rather fast techniques.  We must respect this and always remember that we are working together using each other's bodies to achieve this.  That simple rule that we learned as children that we must always put things back the way we found them applies very well here.  When a partner lends you the use of a wrist or arm you are expected to return that limb in the same state in which you borrowed it.  In this way we may expect the same to be done when it's your partners turn to practice on your limbs.  No pain no gain? As much as this is said it doesn't always apply.  In practice it is often better to look at pain in this way:

 To put it mildly, pain has no socially redeeming qualities what so ever.  So avoid it....to top of page

Types of Classes

Open   all are invited to attend. The emphasis is on the basics of Aikido.
Open Weapons all students who have taken atleast 10 classes are invited to attend. The focus is on the use of    traditional weapons of Aikido: bokken, jo and tanto.
Advanced students who have achieved 4th kyu and above are invited. More complex techniques are explored in these classes.
Advanced Weapons students who have achieved 4th kyu and above are invited. More complex weapons techniques are explored in these classes.
Advanced randori students who have achieved 2nd kyu and above are invited. This is highly specialised class, allowing students to practise the free flow of continuos randori

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