Are you joining an Aikido class for the first time? No problem, we will briefly tell you what to expect. This is useful if you have never entered a dojo before. In any case, make sure you know at which location you want to train and what time the training starts.
When you pack your bag to go exercise, make sure you have something from a sweatpants with a t-shirt. Slippers (for walking to the mat) are also nice. Bottle of water is allowed, which is usually something for after training.
As soon as you enter the sports hall/dojo, the mats have yet to be laid. Laying down and cleaning up again is done together. Think of it as a pre-workout, but also to get to know each other a bit.
Once the mats are laid, the class begins. Everyone sits down in order, with your spot at the back of the queue is next to the other white belts. Once seated, we salute to the founder, who invented Aikido. (There is nothing religious behind this.) Followed by a salute to the Sensei, or teacher.
You would think that lifting the mats would warm you up, but nothing could be further from the truth. Now first follows a short warm-up where all your muscles are activated. Then we get down to business, when the Sensei tells you something he stops the group for a moment, so you can then sit down on your knees in line. (Or cross-legged, if that is more comfortable for the knees.) During the training we try to train at rest as much as possible, so you can focus more on what the moves are and what you need to do. Of course, as a beginner, you may check with your partner to see if you are doing well. However, try to keep this to a minimum, socialising is fine before and after training.
Once the lesson is over, we sit back in order just like at the beginning. We finish the same way, except that it is polite to politely thank your very last partner one last time. So you look up and greet them.
Is Aikido a martial art?
No, Aikido is a self-defence art. (Not to be confused with sports. After all, sport has competition and you won't find that in Ando). Aikido is meant as a reaction to an attack. It too never initiates an attack.
Do you need martial arts experience to do Aikido?
No, that is not necessary. It will help, though, just like having rhythm sense to learn ballroom dancing.
Do you have to wear a suit like that even before your first lesson?
If you still have a Judo suit lying around somewhere, it is handy, but not necessary. 'Loose-fitting' clothing is fine, think of a sweatpants with a t-shirt.
I have a physical disability, can I just come to Aikido?
We are not ruling anything out. However, we find it nice to know what disability is involved and whether this is subject to medical approval from the doctor, though. For as long as we have existed, we have come across blind people on the mat, people who are in wheelchairs, have no legs left... and more. But where there is a will, there is a way.
Can I come by myself once?
Of course! Nice even. Just let us know via the registration form and we'll make sure you get answers to all your questions after the training.
How often should I train to get good at Aikido?
Ten thousand hours. At least according to Macolm Gladwell, you will have to put at least 10,000h into something to become 'good' at it. He explains this in his book 'Outliers', you can also watch this short video. We ourselves believe that training twice a week is enough to learn the basics of Aikido.
Can I train at multiple locations?
Of course! Gladly. Ando has three training locations you can go to, at no extra cost. You will learn all the more from different instructors explaining the same basics.
Where can I buy training materials?
You can go to several suppliers, however, we ourselves work through the Aikido shop.co.uk
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