Start where you are at
Consider your own circumstances
Each individual comes to Iwama Ryu Aikido with their own set of circumstances – health status, age, level of fitness, along with different life experiences. Your journey is unique to you. As you get older, training may need to be adapted to suit this natural process. Don’t be put off by your particular set of circumstances, but rather plan a path forward that suits your needs and allows you to grow and develop. For example, weapons training is a low impact way to start training; ukemi practice is a good way to start building flexibility.
The way you will be taught Iwama Ryu Aikido is slow and methodical. It allows your body to condition gradually over time, while also allowing you to develop technical proficiency.
Your training should also challenge you. Without this you will not grow and develop as a person. As a martial art, there will be pain and discomfort which we need to learn to deal within a constructive and valuable way. The important thing though is that harm is not done to you or others through training.
Discuss you particular circumstances with your Sensei.
Understand the level of commitment required
For face to face dojo training, two classes per week is the minimum with each class being 1.5-2 hours in duration. This is the time you need to commit to training. If training by distance, you might consider doing more shorter sessions. The short course program has outlined the amount of time required to practice each technique, and has been designed as a portable resource. For example, you could take some time out of your busy day to go to the park and spend 15 minutes practicing tai no kenko, weapons suburi (techniques).
Ideally, set aside regular times to train and endeavour to commit to this as if you were attending a face to face class.
Mastery is in the detail – don’t be in a rush
Iwama Ryu Aikido is complex and the way you are taught is slow and methodical. The value is in building good foundations which will then stand you in good stead in the future. Saito Sensei said that you should practice kihon (basic forms) until 3rd degree blackbelt level (Sandan). Get the foundations correct and the rest will come quickly. There is no rush.
The stripes system and Kyu ranks
Your training starts with the foundations of Iwama Ryu Aikido, on which other techniques and attacks are then added. For example, Ikkyo (the first locking and pinning technique) builds the foundation for the other locking and pinning techniques; the Ken and Jo suburi (techniques) are then used in blended partner practice.
The stripe system allows you to learn and then demonstrate your understanding of the foundation techniques. From this base, the Kyu structure (coloured belt system) allows you to study and demonstrate groups of foundational techniques with increasing complexity and variations. As you progress through this process, you need to show retention of what you have previously learnt, along with the new techniques being demonstrated. You proficiency in techniques should also grow and be demonstrated throughout this process.
The short course program focuses on the stripe system.
The syllabus
