CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:
Kids Class:
This is a class for ages five and above. Parental presence is required. We will consider it a successful class if everyone gets a good stretching, centering, and aerobic workout while being exposed to the teachings and, to an appropriate degree, the techniques of aikido.
No level of talent or physical abilities are necessary to start this class. We will teach age appropriate rolls and backward falls in a safe, incremental way. No breakfalls (ever). Forward rolls will be introduced later, and not as ukemi (training with a partner) until after a student
passes the first level test.
We intend to teach basic strikes and grabs in order to align the teaching with the basics of aikido and to give students early training in the fundamentals of martial arts. But we do not HAVE to have classes that rely on strikes or grabs to have a great class. We intend to limit teaching in this area to the degree that students demonstrate the ability to understand how grabs and strikes are used in training, and to the degree that students can be counted upon to act responsibly off the mat. We don’t want to teach a child how to strike or grab if there is a chance that he or she will choose this behavior off the mat. If this is a concern, parents should
begin and maintain a dialogue with the instructor.
Every dojo has a central theme. Nashville Aikikai’s position is that a person has their own reasons for training, and these should be respected. We do adhere closely to the teachings from Honbu Dojo in Tokyo, and to the curriculum of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, but this is a flexible model that requires only a sincere effort to succeed as a ‘do’ and as a martial art. There is flexibility that says the demands of training should be calibrated to the student, offering each student the best opportunity to grow and develop in the art of aikido.
We will take this same approach with our youngest students.
Adult Classes:
Introductory Class:
The Introductory Class is geared primarily toward students who are in their first six months of Aikido training. However, students of all levels are encouraged to attend. This ensures that advanced students have an opportunity to improve their basic technique. It also presents beginning students with a wonderful opportunity to work with people of all levels. Students in the Introductory Class are introduced to the basics of Aikido, including open hand techniques, ukemi (falling and rolling), and weapons (tanto, bokken, and jo). This class will help prepare students for their first test. During the first eight weeks of training, students may also attend the Ukemi Class and the Friday Open Class. After the completion of the eight week Introductory Class, students may begin to attend other classes.
Intermediate Class:
The Intermediate Class is oriented toward students who have had at least six months of Aikido training. However, anyone who has completed the Introductory Class is welcome. Non-dojo members must have the instructor's permission before participating. Participants in this class continue to focus on the principle of Aikido while practicing more intermediate and advanced techniques and ukemi. Beginning techniques are performed at a faster pace, requiring more advanced ukemi. Advanced techniques, including technique reversals, freestyle, randori (freestyle with multiple attackers), weapon take-aways, and weapon katas are gradually introduced.
Advanced Class:
The Advanced Class is geared toward upper level students. Non-dojo members must have the instructor's permission before participating. Participants in this class continue to focus on the principles of Aikido, concentrating on refining each technique, as well as improving their ukemi. This class spends more time on technique reversals, freestyle, randori, weapons take-aways, and weapons katas than the Intermediate Class. Students are often required to practice techniques with little or no explanation.
Weapons Class:
The Weapons Class emphasizes techniques ranging from beginning to advanced levels using primarily bokken (wooden sword), tanto (wooden knife), and jo (short staff). Weapons training helps students to develop a sense of distance and timing in relation to their partner, as well as center and focus.
Open Class:
The Open Class is open to students of all levels. It is an opportunity for students to work on the Aikido skills that they wish to develop. An instructor is usually present, but this is not a formal class. Please remember that this is also the instructor's time to work on what he/she chooses. Class begins around 6:30 PM and participants are welcome to arrive or leave at any time.
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