FAQ

Q: What is that funny skirt that some Aikido people are wearing?
A: This divided skirt is a traditional Japanese piece of clothing, called the hakama. Most people in the Western world consider it as a part of the samurai outfit, though it is widely used in the Japanese society. In Aikido, the hakama is worn by advanced practitioners.

Q: What is that picture and why does everybody bow to it?
A: The picture marks the position of the shomen, the place of focus (literally "the front side"). In Aikido it is used as a reference for bowing and meditation. The picture is usually an image of Aikido’s founder O-Sensei Ueshiba Morihei or a calligraphy, and the bow signifies the acceptance of the Aikido principles. In our culture it is neither part of a personality cult nor a sign of subordination or an act of religious worship.

Q: What about the weapons?
A: Aikido techniques are empty-handed techniques. But because many of the movements were originally developed from sword and staff fighting, we also train basic weapon techniques to work on aspects of posture, distance and timing. The most common weapons used are the bokken (wooden sword), jo (staff) and tanto (wooden knife).

Q: When do I get to fight?
A: In Aikido there are no competitions. Our aim is to continuously improve our skills and personality through exchange with other practitioners. Of course we need an attacker for training purposes (ideally a challenging one!), so there is no lack of action. However, Aikido does not prepare you for street fights.

Q: Can I get hurt?
A: Aikido teaches how to redirect and neutralise the power of an attack. You will not learn a single technique that aims at hurting your partner. Therefore accidents are very uncommon. Because the training is good for your health, most aikidoka continue to practise up until old age.

Q: How often should I train?
A: We recommend that you attend at least two classes per week at the beginning so that you can make progress as quickly as possible. Most advanced practitioners practise three to four times a week - then Aikido can fully unfold its positive influence on your life.

Q: Can Aikido replace fitness training?
A: That depends on your personal goals. Although training gets your circulation going and your general mobility will increase significantly, it would still be a good idea to plan any demanding endurance and strength training separately. As do we.

Q: Isn’t martial arts just for men?
A: Aikido is equally suitable for all genders because it does not depend on strength, size or weight. At our dojo, it is important to us that we educate a generation of aikidoka who are equal at all levels of aikido practice, as training participants and teachers.

Q: How long until I become a master?
A: Aikido is a lifelong journey, a path to explore, which offers many epiphanies ("satori"), the building blocks of mastership. Generally, we consider the black belt exam as the beginning of a journey to master the art. If you practise very regularly, there is a good chance to obtain your black belt after about 5-6 years. This sounds like a lot fo time, but don’t worry: it will be a fun ride from the start.

You may find more information about Aikido in our dojo handbook.

In Aikido, etiquette is taken very seriously. The reason is that we do not consider it simply a formality, but we appreciate the meaning behind it. You are not following etiquette to please your partner or teacher, but for yourself.

Bows are a visual sign of etiquette:

• when entering the tatami (usually from a kneeling position): leave your daily routine behind, open your mind to Aikido practice and enter a state of inner calmness. Bow to the shomen, and afterwards to the other participants on the mat.
• at the beginning of keiko to the shomen: acknowledge the Aikido principles, promise yourself to practise attentively, confirm your readiness
• before each exercise to the teacher or partner (mutually): thank your teacher/partner for accepting you, promise to carry out the technique attentively and with your partner’s well-being in mind
• after each exercise (mutually): thank your teacher/partner for what you have learned from him or her
• at the end of keiko to the shomen: conclude the class in your mind, become calm
• when leaving the tatami (usually from a kneeling position): express gratefulness for your experience, make the transition in your mind to step back into the outside world

Please bow towards the shomen right after you stepped over the threshold of the dojo’s entrance; bow out before you leave.

All bows are carried out calmly and consciously; the bow on entering and leaving the mats should last a little longer (take a deep breath and exhale slowly).

We practise at close proximity in a confined space, so please come in clean clothes and avoid strong smells. Follow the health and hygiene guideline above.

Be on time. Try to arrive at the dojo a quarter of an hour before keiko begins. Should you be late, wait outside the tatami until the teacher gives you a sign to step on. If you need to leave the tatami, inform the teacher first.

Be quiet, attentive and respectful throughout class. When not busy with an exercise, kneel on the tatami (or sit cross-legged if you have knee issues). Keep an upright position - remember: your posture mirrors your mind.

In Aikido, we are on first-name terms. Only Japanese teachers are addressed as "sensei". In our dojo, teachers are always addressed by first names, independent of their rank.

You will find more information about etiquette in our dojo handbook.