Category Archives: Aikido Del Mar News

Aiki-Kids Core Strengthening - core exercises will allow smoother, safer falls and more controlled movements.

We have started test training in preparation for our next kyu test in August.

Aiki-kids are strengthening their core through a series of abdominal exercises. Aiki-kids will be tested on Ukemi (including back break falls, forward rolls and backward rolls), Seiza Ho, Shikko Ho and Kihon Dosa (basic movements). Red belts will also be tested on a basic technique.

Aiki-youths have been working on serveral different techniques including Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae (1 & 2) and Suwari Waza Ryote Mochi Kokyuho (1). Students are encourage to learn these movements and practice the techniques as much as they can.

As for the adult class, kyu test will follow the new 2011 Yoshinkan Aikido Test Syllabus (we have included the link for your reference). Extra classes for brown belt training called Kenshu Class are currently held on 7/9, 7/16, 7/23 and 8/6. Video footage of these classes are available as personal study material upon request.

A Note on Aikido Test

In Aikido there is no competition. The founder of Aikido, Morihei Uyeshiba, was deliberate about this. He understood that the most important lessons to be learned in life were not easily learned in a competitive environment. This is part of our “Way”.

The value of testing in Aikido comes from putting ourselves in a stressful situation (testing) so that we can see ourselves more realistically.

Is it “fun”? Not usually, since all our worries and fears raise their ugly heads- fear of failure; fear of being embarrassed; fear of injury- add to this your own list of personal demons. Therein lies its value. Aikido, also known as the Art of Peace, actively discourages us from comparing ourselves to others. This makes it much easier to face our own fears, look them squarely in the eye, and continue on with what we were doing.

All of our classes do this one way or another- face our fears in a safe, supportive environment. Testing is just one more “tool” that our art uses to help us grow.

The word Ai-ki-do is actually three Japanese words together, roughly translated as “the Way (do) of making harmony (ai) with the forces of nature (ki)”. Our Way has many aspects to it, including non-competition, respect for us and others and a compassionate regard for all life. We develop these traits in ourselves by training methods developed over many hundreds of years by the Samurai then distilled by Morihei Uyeshiba. What we are given in Aikido is not based on what is easy or convenient but based on what works. These tools we are given, over time, will vitalize and enrich our lives as well as the people around us.