Yoshinkan Aikido in Guelph
Yoshinkan Aikido is a modern martial art derived from the hand-to-hand combat techniques of the Samurai of ancient Japan. The training develops a strong and supple body that moves with confidence and grace. Aikido is unique – it’s a non-competitive, non-violent, powerful form of self-defence ideal for all ages.
If you’re looking for an interesting activity for the whole family, give aikido a try.
- Only school of Yoshinkan Aikido in Guelph and Wellington County.
- Offering classes for men and women, women only and children.
What we Study
Yoshinkan Aikido uses the idea that a straight spine and relaxed body generates more power than a tense or misaligned body. By using correct body alignment and relaxation, a student (Aikidoka) can deal with, and generate, powerful forces with their body. Our system is designed to train and develop the body into a powerful coordinated unit.
The primary skills are balance, timing, coordination and tumbling; therefore, the use of direct strength is not a requirement, and is in fact a detriment to becoming an effective Aikidoka.
Dojo Etiquette
- In the dojo, remove hats and shoes, refrain from any practices that will interfere with Aikido training.
- Be respectful of other classes and students: While waiting for anonther class to finish remain quiet.
- When the other class starts to end, all students should move quickly to seiza and bow. If in doubt follow the direction of the senior students present.
- At the dojo, change into a dogi.
- Before class, junior students should sweep the mats.
- Greet a fellow student or an instructor by bowing and saying "Osu!" This is customary in the practice of Japanese Budo.
- When coming onto or leaving the practice mat, bow to the front of the dojo.
- When the class is ready to begin, before the teacher comes on to the mat, all students should line up sitting in seiza in a straight line. The person sitting to your right should be of equal or higher rank; the person to your left, equal or lower rank.
- The highest ranking student will say "Moku so." This means to close your eyes and prepare yourself mentally for class. The same student will then say "Moku so yame" (open your eyes) and "Shomen ni rei" (bow to the front), and then "Sensei ni rei" (bow to Sensei).
- You should not arrive late for class. If you do wait standing outside the mat area quietly, until Sensei invites you to join in.
- Once on the mat, you should kneel at the back of class, meditate for a short while and then do a brief warmup.
- When Sensei is instructing the class, or if you wish to listen to an explanation given to another student in practice, you should kneel politely in seiza.
- When corrected by Sensei or another senior student, bow and say "Osu!"
- During the class, any student wishing to leave the mat or to practice something other than what the class is practising, must first ask the permission of the instructor. This is done out of courtesy and for safety reasons.
- Always begin and end your training with your partner by bowing to each other.
- Never shout, use inaprropriate language or become angry on the mat.
- Avoid sitting on the mat with your back to the picture of O Sensei or the kamiza. Also, do not lean against the walls or sit with your legs stretched out. (Either sit in seiza or anza.)
- Do not engage in rough-housing or needless contests of strength during class.
- Keep your training uniform clean, in good shape, and free of offensive odors.
- Please keep your finger and toe nails cut short and clean, and remove any jewlery prior to class.
- Carry out the directives of the instructor PROMPTLY. Do not keep the rest of the class waiting for you!
- Any discussion on the mat during class should pertain to Aikido only. Keep it brief and quiet.
- It can be a very serious breach of etiquette to question a teacher's or senior's authority or technical knowledge, and especially so during a class.
- If you are confused about something, ask respectfully. Don't insist on your point of view.
- Please pay your membership dues promptly. If you are unable to pay your dues on time, talk with the person in charge of dues collection.
- When the class is ending, you should quickly line up and kneel before the instructor sits. After the class is over, you should find your partners and bow to each of them, thanking them for training with you.
General Class Structure
The class proceeds as follows:
- Bow in and short meditation.
- A 20 minute warmup consisting of light calisthetics, break falling and light stretching. The warmup is done to a count in Japanese. ICHI, NI, SAN, SHI, GO, ROKU, SHIJI, HACHI which means one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight
- After the warm up the class follows the Sensei through the basic movements. There are six major movements that comprise the Yoshinkan Aikido foundation.
- After basic movements, the class engages in tumbling practice: here one learns to roll.
- Next the class engages in an exercise drills to promote unification of the body.
- After the above drills students sit and take instruction, then practice the techniques with a partner.
- The last 20 minutes of the class the students work together in a group training exercise
- The Sensei calls the end of the class and then students kneel, bow as called by the senior student, bow to each other and wait for the Sensei to leave the mat space.
For Information: Call 519-341-6152 or email Dojocho.