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Learning from scratch... |
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Ade 
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Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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 Topic: Learning from scratch...Posted: 21 Aug 2009 at 11:54am |
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I'm looking for a mental approach to organise all the information which is given to me in the dojo, and make sense of it!
(I've been learning aikikai for nearly two years, training twice a week, when possible, but yet to attempt a grading...)
How does everyone else do this?
I'm imagining a combination of books, DVDs, and of course practical training, which would lay out the requirements for each Kyu, and help me link the name of the technique, with a visualisation of the movement, leading to the physical action.
Are there any books which would help? Those I've borrowed from the library either go into great metaphysical detail (The Dynamic Sphere ?) or seem to be coffee-table picture books...
I have Sensei Kanetsuka's videos 1 and 2, but being on VCR it's difficult to find and repeat sections - are they available on DVD yet?
Is it usual to rehearse the actions solo, as a sort of 'kata'?
Or is it just a case of "Shut up and keep training, it'll all come to you in the end"?
 Any advice gratefully received!
(BTW, I'm a 50-something music teacher and former IT worker, so I'm more used to mental challenges than physical ones...) |
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Adriia
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Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Posted: 21 Aug 2009 at 2:05pm |
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Although not new (not a great deal of experience either) to Aikido I know what you mean about needing a good book or something! Something nicely designed with easy to under stand cartoon pictures with the names next to them.
Yea getting the technique is most important but the last thing i want to be doing on the mat is trying to remember names for moves and figuring out which move we're supposed to be practising. Id prefer to learn the names and the associated moves at home then go to training and actually practice, rather faffing about the basic move (obviously not perfected but just what the move is) and its name. So yea, anyone know of a good book that just shows most of the common moves, front, reverse, left and right with the names next to it? thanks, :) |
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Kerryann
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Posted: 26 Sep 2009 at 5:53pm |
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Hi both,
Like you both I am a newbie to Aikido and have only been training for 18 months, although I have grown to love Aikido in this short time frame.
I particular found the following books useful:
-Aikido Basics (Tuttle Basics) by Lynn Seiser and Dang Phong (Paperback - 8 Sep 2003)
And for making sense of the Aikido Terminology:
Aikido Terminology - An Essential Reference Tool In Both English and Japanese by Michael Taylor (Paperback - 13 Dec 2004)
The books are great, but I have found that nothing replaces the knowledge gained through training with your sensei and fellow aikido students. I too found the whole concept very difficult to master, but with time everything does start to fall in to place.
Hope that helps!
Kerry
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Shaun Hoddy
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Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 19 |
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Posted: 27 Sep 2009 at 1:17pm |
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When you first take up Aikido or any other martial art there is information overload for the brain. Aikido is like any other physical activity you only get out what you put in.
Books and video's are good as as a reference point, but the only real way to progress is constant practice with a good instructor.
Practice techniques at home as a Kata this helps with your centre and posture. It was said to me some years ago that Aikido is easy when you know how its getting the know how that hard.
If you keep practising on a regular basis it will all come together, but this takes time, the problem with a lot of students is that want to master Aikido within a short period.
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dazzler
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Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Location: Bristol Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Posted: 28 Sep 2009 at 1:37pm |
Hi
Well my first reaction is that you should speak to your instructor. They are responsible for channelling your efforts and providing the opportunities for your Aikido development. So in theory they should provide the answers you seek.
How does everyone else do this? ...very differently no doubt as aikido teaching seems to be a very broad church indeed.
Speaking for the NAF within which I instruct across a range of kyu grade levels, heres some of the things we do which may or may not help.
1. Keep a dojo diary.
I've done this myself ever since I started and find it invaluable in allowing me to record and analyse classes. I don't make copious notes - maybe just a list of techniques practiced, comments for techniques plus any special notes.
Its your diary - do whats good for you, but its very beneficial to do this maybe the morning after class when the adrenaline and sweat are gone. It helps immensely in understanding the lesson when away from the tatami ...and ensures learning doesn't have to stop when the lesson ends.
2. Find out requirements for each kyu ...syllabus
Do you have one? you should. What we have done is provide students with a list for their respective kyu grades and allow them to make notes as they encounter the techniques in a lesson. Again...when away from the mat this reinforces the lesson and allows the student to understand better without the pressure of training. If you don't understand something you've written..hey presto - theres a question for your instructor who can get a feel of the quality of their teaching from the nature of the questions asked.
3. Grade !
We have beginners gradings every 4 to 6 months. Its amazing how the students miraculously focus when there is a grading around the corner. Class attendance is boosted and there is a buzz around the dojo. There is nothing wrong with grading - its only a kyu grade so shouldn't be a big deal in terms of stress ;-)
4. Other references
DVDs Books, Internet forums and beer can all help to a degree, but at the end of the day you are in the BAF so need to do whatever is the norm for those guys. Unless you are looking at a BAF book/vid specifically for your grade then it may only go so far.
Is it usual to rehearse the moves? Yes - very useful to help memorise moves. Add in any notes you made and you are self-directing to a degree.
Is it just a case of shut up and keep training? Again ...a yes. It will happen. You are part of a very established group so I'm sure they know what they are doing ...and ultimately as others have said - training is what its about. But no harm in helping yourself eh?
Anyway - hope this helps. I've been teaching for 16 years or so- which is a snip compared to some - but have seen huge improvements in the performance of students in lessons and in gradings following the introduction of encouraging them to make their own notes.
Regards
D
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Webmaster
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Webmaster Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Status: Offline Points: 104 |
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Posted: 28 Sep 2009 at 2:27pm |
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Hi Ade
Dazzler's comments only reflect what I would have said, except that in my class 50 something is still quite young. So keep up with what you are doing and discuss your progress with your own class coach.
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Kerryann
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Posted: 03 Oct 2009 at 4:25pm |
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Hi everyone,
Some excellent suggestions.
I intend to try: 1. Keep a dojo diary.
Thanks
Kerry
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dazzler
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Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Location: Bristol Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Posted: 05 Oct 2009 at 1:02pm |
Start today.
In the next twenty years ...or longer , however far your Aiki life goes, there will be many many times when you get dispirited. As the years roll by the returns on invested effort diminish from time to time ...until the next level of Aikido becomes yours....so it can be hard to keep going sometimes.
But among other things the diaries become a reminder of the reasons you began with Aikido and also the special feelings that for many only Aikido can provide.
When you do get dispirited - read your diaries ...remember how you felt after the really good days, remember the people you'd forgotten who have long stopped training and laugh at the recorded insights ( I have a really good one where I state that I now have ikkyo) ...16 years later I'm still working at it)...but then think about how far you've come, how much good Aikido has given you....and then return to the mat with a beginners mind to challenge whatever dispirits you.
Good luck !
D
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Ade
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Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Posted: 15 Oct 2009 at 10:34am |
Thanks for your input - some good ideas there!
I keep a log of all my guitar students' progress - why didn't I think of that? So a hard-bound book will be obtained, and kept up to date...
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Ade wrote: