Aikido is a martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba. It is a synthesis of a number of classic martial disciplines that Ueshiba, (or O'Sensei, the great teacher, as he is referred to by Aikido students since his death), studied during a lifetime of daily training.

O'Sensei also was seriously committed to a life of spiritual study and practice and this commitment is reflected in his development of Aikido not only as an effective martial discipline, but as a holistic system by which a practitioner could integrate himself mentally, physically and spiritually through daily practice. His vision was that people of all walks of life, of different ethnic, national or religious orientation, could use Aikido practice as a tool with which to bring peace and harmony into their own lives and into the world.

O'Sensei was born in 1883, and began studying martial arts at a fairly early age. He survived numerous adventures, distinguished himself in the army, and endured through hard and turbulent times. His life story can be seen as a study in perseverance. In 1942 he moved to the small country town of Iwama, north of Tokyo, to farm, study and train. He felt that the three most important activities for personal development were farming, budo practice, and spiritual practice.

It was during this period in Iwama that O'Sensei organized and synthesized the product of his decades of study and training into what is today known as Aikido. In 1946 a local teenager, Morihiro Saito, joined the group training under O'Sensei. Saito Sensei trained with him and served him as uchi desshi, or personal assistant, for 23 years. Saito Sensei developed into one of the top instructors in the world, and upon O'Sensei's passing, became the Chief Instructor of the Iwama dojo, and guardian of the Aiki Shrine in Iwama.

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Training focus on basic practices, basic techniques, and basic exercises which will help for more advanced training in the future and will reduce the chance of serious injury when training is done correctly.

At least 60% of the effort will focus on ukemi skills, the art of receiving techniques, to allow aikidoists to train at the highest possible intensity with the least possible risk of injury. The practice requires being proactive and is self-paced. The most benefit is gained when one brings all of his/her body, mind and spirit into the practice. The best training is serious and fun.

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When you train in Aikido, you are entering into a contract with your partners to train for your mutual benefit. When you enter the dojo, you are to devote yourself to the study & practice of Aikido. Etiquette is critical for any martial artist including Aikidoist who seeks the true path of Budo, the way of martial to cease the violence.

Bow to the shomen upon entering the dojo (training hall), before stepping onto the mat, and upon leaving the mat or hall. Bow with the rest of the class at the beginning of class and at the end of class. Speak to the instructor if you have a problem with bowing.

Bow to your training partner before and after training with them. This bow is mandatory. When you bow in to your partner you are acknowledging an agreement to train for your mutual benefit. When you bow out, you are thanking your partner for the gift of his/her participation.

Come to class with clean hands and feet, especially. Nails must be trimmed short. All jewelry must be removed. Wear a clean gi. During training, you will be in close physical contact with other students. Don't come to class with a contagious illness.

Do not discuss controversial or mundane concerns in the training hall.

Sit quietly for 3-5 minutes before each class. Put aside your mundane concerns and mentally prepare yourself for class. Proper execution of the techniques require a relaxed mental state. Physical relaxedness is important for health and prevention of injury. Cultivate a calm alertness.

Seiza, by Oscar Ratti

Be punctual. If you are late, don't forget to bow in before training.

Do not engage in contests of strength. In our style, we are learning how to make the technique work against an uncooperative attacker. So we grab and hold firmly, and give challenging attacks. However, it takes experience and knowledge to be able to practice with a partner at their threshold of strength or skill. Keep in mind the agreement to train for mutual benefit. It's pointless to just prove that you are stronger than another person, unless it is in the context of learning proper form. You will be taught how to properly train this way, but it also takes a conscious effort on your part to stay focused on the practice at hand.

Minimize talking during class. Save questions for after class. Be quiet and attentive when the instructor is demonstrating. Follow instructions. Cultivate your nonverbal learning skills. If there is a guest instructor who is demonstrating a technique or style other than what you have learned, observe and attempt to do exactly what is being taught. If you visit another dojo- again, do what the instructor teaches. The etiquette, an open mind, and an enthusiastic attitude are the keys that will open the doors of any dojo in the world.

Do not engage in any other physical activity, (another martial art, brawling, hanging from the ceiling, etc.), while in the training hall during official Aikido times.

Train responsibly.

Train with anyone who is available. Train with everyone. Don't waste valuable class time finding a partner.

The instructor is referred to as "Sensei"; senior students should be addressed as "Sempai".

Line up, by Oscar Ratti

There are other aspects of etiquette that are not addressed here. Be alert and observant and try to pick them up quickly. Aikido is not an entirely risk-free practice. Regular Aikido practice is dangerous enough without adding unnecessary risks. Initially, for beginners, the purpose of the etiquette is to minimize injury and to ensure that the time to study and practice Aikido is used efficiently.

Aikido is a "Do"; a Way, or Path. In Japanese culture there are numerous Do; there is Chado, the Way of Tea, Shodo, the Way of the Brush, Kendo, the Way of the Sword. Aikido is the Way of Harmony, of blending your energy with the energy of an attack or other challenge. By bowing to our partners, we are offering the gift of a challenge, and we are thanking them for the gift they have bestowed on us. Aikido can be a lifetime path, and over time the continual reaffirmation of respect and gratitude can spill over into our lives off the mat, on the job, for instance, or in our commute. If one is sincerely grateful every waking minute of their day, frustration, anger and worry can find no place to enter and take root in his or her life.

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There are two general ranks in Aikido: kyu (white belt, from 5th to 1st) and dan (black belt, from 1st to 4th, 5th and above with recognition from Hombu dojo, Aikido headquarter, are ranks of master teachers, Shihan). To be promoted, several principles are to be met:

Training days: These are the minimum numbers of days trained since the last promotion.

Regularity: 3+ training days per week or 12+ per month consistently for the period specified.

Seminar: This includes Aikido workshops, seminars and gasshuku, or any other concentrated and continuous Aikido training led by a sensei lasting 4 hours or more, sponsored by the Aikido Institute.

Behavioral: this element of the requirements is assessed based on etiquettes.

For more detailed requirements, please refer to the grading system of Hombu Dojo.

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Morihiro Saito, 9th Dan
(11 seconds, 1.76MB, QuickTime)

This is a demonstration of various Aikido techniques performed by Morihiro Saito sensei at Iwama dojo.

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