Friday, February 29, 2008
What to expect on your first aikido lesson
We try to make beginners welcome and comfortable on their first night. We all been there: the only one not wearing a gi and not knowing what to do.
What to wear: It's fine to turn up in loose fitting casual clothes, such as tracksuit bottoms and a T shirt. As you'll be doing breakfalls, you need to avoid wearing anything with belts and buckles. If you have a judo or karate gi, then wear that. Otherwise, get a gi when you've decided you wanted to stick with aikido. The judo dogis are harder wearing;the karate gis are a lot cooler to wear. Most people in our club wear karate gis.
Beginners wear a white coloured belt, which usually comes with a gi.
Bring water: The gymnasium we use is well heated, so most people bring a bottle of water with them to drink and stay hydrated. Most of us go to the gymanisium's bar after class, and drink then too. If you drink alcohol afterwards, make sure you also drink some water too. Otherwise you might wake up with a bad hangover.
If you need a break: If you need to stop and take a break, or if you need to leave the mat for any reason, make sure you tell the sensei.
Outdoor shoes: You're not allowed to wear outdoor shoes on the gymnasium mats, so bring some indoor shoes, such as flip flops, socks, sandals or zori (japanese sandals)
Apart from that: Turn up, enjoy, have fun. Don't worry if you can't remember anything - it will start to make sense over time.
What to wear: It's fine to turn up in loose fitting casual clothes, such as tracksuit bottoms and a T shirt. As you'll be doing breakfalls, you need to avoid wearing anything with belts and buckles. If you have a judo or karate gi, then wear that. Otherwise, get a gi when you've decided you wanted to stick with aikido. The judo dogis are harder wearing;the karate gis are a lot cooler to wear. Most people in our club wear karate gis.
Beginners wear a white coloured belt, which usually comes with a gi.
Bring water: The gymnasium we use is well heated, so most people bring a bottle of water with them to drink and stay hydrated. Most of us go to the gymanisium's bar after class, and drink then too. If you drink alcohol afterwards, make sure you also drink some water too. Otherwise you might wake up with a bad hangover.
If you need a break: If you need to stop and take a break, or if you need to leave the mat for any reason, make sure you tell the sensei.
Outdoor shoes: You're not allowed to wear outdoor shoes on the gymnasium mats, so bring some indoor shoes, such as flip flops, socks, sandals or zori (japanese sandals)
Apart from that: Turn up, enjoy, have fun. Don't worry if you can't remember anything - it will start to make sense over time.
Labels: aikido, basics, beginners
¶ 2:44 AM
