Can any Aikido player dispell some misconceptions for me?

[Kusotare]

is it an art one can take later in life?

I found getting the "ju" in judo very difficult to aquire. I can't imagine being half as flexible and slower and achieving that finesse.

I see you describe the styles you train as Goju-ryu Karate and Jujutsu.

How much and what Jujutsu did you study?

The reason I ask is that most jujutsu schools practice Ukemi as a norm.

Standard drills (junbi) are also quite common.

This should stand you in good stead for training Aikido.

You seem keen to avoid some of the processes. Can I ask why?

K.

[cheesefrysamurai]

How much and what Jujutsu did you study?

I studied Jujutsu for 3-4 years.

I see you describe the styles you train as Goju-ryu Karate and Jujutsu.

It was reasonably traditional. Japanese names for everything except strikes. Our complete curriculum contained all the judo throws. There were boxing elements added in and the end of every class ended in grappling or self defense.

The reason I ask is that most jujutsu schools practice Ukemi as a norm.

We did ukemi every class.

Standard drills (junbi) are also quite common.

We basically had rows of 3 rolling across the floor, then turn around and roll back. We did this for the front and back breakfalls too

with the side to side, the whole class did it at one time

This should stand you in good stead for training Aikido.

You seem keen to avoid some of the processes. Can I ask why?

I am not looking to avoid. I think hard work is essential. To me, it makes the rank meaningful. I guess then its not unlike what I have done, without striking, I guess like bjj, when you focus on one thing you get good at it. I just had a hard time imagining the flow of a class.

I always admired Aikidoka. I am hoping one day to try it. Right now I am training Goju and Judo.

The Goju is traditional Okinawan.

[Chris Li]

is it an art one can take later in life?

I found getting the "ju" in judo very difficult to aquire. I can't imagine being half as flexible and slower and achieving that finesse.

Sure, but it depends on where you're training - some places go in more for the big hard falls than other.

FWIW - I've got a number of guys in their 70's, and I've taught people in their 80's.

Flexibility really ought not to be an issue as long as you have a normal range of motion.

Best,

Chris

[xnovak1023]

First off, let me apologize if this is a dead topic. I just noticed the underlying question was not answered.

My training in Aikido was the first formal training in the martial arts. (Discounting the training in Southern Mantis from my father as a young child.) I studied at a dojo for several years.

Each class began the same regardless if there were beginners or not. We would perform our opening ceremonies and then proceed to stretches. At the end of stretching we would work on rolls as part of our warm-up. During which, my Sensei would instruct on the proper ways of rolling. After warm ups were complete we'd get back in line and watch a demonstration of the technique we were about to practice. At the bark of "Hajime," everyone would rise and partner up. Myself being a senpai would have the privilege of being uki for beginners, where I would help as much as my knowledge was possible, while my Sensei would pick up slack if I fell short. This would go on for all techniques till the end of class, where if time permitted the new comer afterwards to stay and get more one on one time learning the basics.

The testing for 7th kyu is no different than the testing for 1st Kyu, in my opinion. You are given a set of ki-tests to perform and techniques, and then IF promoted, you get to learn more techniques and expand on ones already known.

The terminology is as simple as paying attention to what is said during class. No need to cram study books of "Learn Japanese For Dummies."

The beauty of Aikido comes from not only learning the harmony around you but harmonizing oneself, whether you are 12 years old or 50 years old, it is never too late to learn more.

My first day in class as a child, my Sensei saw me and noticed my shoulders were rose up from being nervous. He looked at me with a smile and told me, "Alex-san, don't worry. We'll round those shoulders out real quick." With that joke I instantly felt more comfortable. It wasn't till later I learned he meant he was going to grind them down with rolling. But the skill for falling comes with training, the skill for technique comes with training, learning to move with your opponent comes with training. It only takes time, all that is left is one's dedication necessary.

[cheesefrysamurai]

Wow - thank you for the thorough answer. In truth that's the type of response I was looking for. There are no dead topics in my opinion.

I come from a judo / jujutsu background. I was only there a few years but I never got to the point where hitting the mat wasn't a big deal. It was always sort of violent and jarring though I never injured myself in any way. I was well protected and never a bruise or ache but it never seemed to just flow. They were as much of a workout as anything else. I was considering this mindset when considering aikido. I imagined 2 hours of breakfalls. I've come to the conclusion that judo is a younger mans game, but it seems I may be mistaken about the way of harmony. It seems that there is a different philisophy at work, one that may be worth investigating

Thank you

[xnovak1023]

Wow - thank you for the thorough answer. In truth that's the type of response I was looking for. There are no dead topics in my opinion.

I come from a judo / jujutsu background. I was only there a few years but I never got to the point where hitting the mat wasn't a big deal. It was always sort of violent and jarring though I never injured myself in any way. I was well protected and never a bruise or ache but it never seemed to just flow. They were as much of a workout as anything else. I was considering this mindset when considering aikido. I imagined 2 hours of breakfalls. I've come to the conclusion that judo is a younger mans game, but it seems I may be mistaken about the way of harmony. It seems that there is a different philisophy at work, one that may be worth investigating

Thank you

Happy to help! ^_^