Common questions about Aikido and Mumonkan Club

Here the most frequently asked questions about Mumonkan Aikido Club and the training process are given.

• What does Aikido inscription mean?
• Are there any restrictions on health for practicing Aikido?
• Are there any age restrictions for practicing Aikido?
• With what level of fitness you can start practicing Aikido?
• What are the rules of behavior in the gym?
• Are sparrings held in Aikido?
• Do you give lessons with use of weapons or hand-to-hand fighting only?
• Different instructors teach differently. So what is the right path to follow?
• In other martial arts, great attention is paid to techniques for protection against kicks. Is Aikido effective at kick-attack?
• Why do we need to learn ukemi?
• Where in Minsk I can buy a kimono?

What does Aikido inscription mean?

The Aikido inscription is made up of three hieroglyphs: Ai, Ki, Do. Ai hieroglyph is harmony, Ki is the energy of spirit or life energy, Do is the way. Thus, Aikido maybe translated as "Way of harmony of spirit".

Are there any restrictions on health for practicing Aikido?

Aikido is not a fitness, but a martial art, and at trainings you will experience a significant physical load. Therefore there are some medical contraindications for Aikido trainings. Among them are:

• infectious diseases;
• aggravation in chronic diseases;
• bleedings;
• cardiopulmonary insufficiency;
• cardiovascula insufficiency;
• thromboembolism;
• severe pain syndrome;
• injuries of musculoskeletal system (early period);
• pregnancy;
• early postpartum period.

In all other cases we recommend you to consult your physician and to inform your instructor about the state of your health. In Mumonkan Aikido Club each trainee should have medical receipt on the state of health in which the following should be specified: "Has no contraindications for Aikido practicing".

Are there any age restrictions for practicing Aikido?

Any person can start practicing Aikido from the age of 6 years. There is no upper age limit. The uniqueness of Aikido is in the fact that you can start practicing it at any age.

With what level of fitness you can start practicing Aikido?

It is possible to start practicing Aikido with any level of physical condition. Besides, with the help of Aikido you can improve your physical state considerably.

What are the rules of behavior in the gym?

There are several mandatory rules which are necessary to observe at training. Here are some of them:

• Before the training starts it is necessary for you to prepare yourself. For this purpose you should come to the gym in advance (10-15 minutes earlier), to get well warmed-up.
• If you are late for the training, you should wait for permission of the sensei to join the group.
• Collisions, rivalry, arguments and abuse are forbidden at trainings.
• All the talks at the training should be minimized.
• Do not argue about techniques with other trainees.
• Do not impose your ideas on other trainees.
• You are not to correct or instruct your partner if you have not reached the senior pupil level.
• When the sensei shows techniques which you are going to study, you should watch him attentively. It is forbidden to talk or walk when the sensei explains something or demonstrates techniques.
• Receiving personal directives at training watch the sensei closely. Bow to him when he finishes.
• If it is necessary for you to ask sensei a question, you must not call him up; approach him and wait until he is ready to listen to you.
• Food, smoking, gum chewing are forbidden at training. You may drink mineral water.
• You should remove earrings, chains, rings and other jewelry that may cause injury to you or your partner.
• You should not leave the gym without permission of sensei.
• Do not wander around the gym and do not sit on the tatami doing nothing. This space is designed for those who want to train.
• It is necessary to clean the gym before and after the training. Everyone must keep the dojo clean and tidy.

Are sparrings held in Aikido?

No. There are no sparrings in Aikido. It is necessary to understand, that Aikido is not a sport. It has neither rules no limits. That's why we practice randori at our trainings. Randori is a free technique of pre-arranged attack of several opponents.

Randori can be divided into several levels of difficulty, each with different objectives and limits:

1. Defender gets the task of withdrawal from the attack line or execution of certain prespecified technique. The attackers line up one after another and begin to attack one by one. Defender should perform accurately the specified technique while protecting himself from all attacks.
2. The attackers surround the defender. The defender knows, what kind of attack it will be, however he does not know who exactly will attack. The task of the defender is the same - execution of prespecified technique.
3. The defender's task is not only to execute a certain technique, but repulsing one attack, it is necessary for him to take the most advantageous position to prevent the attacks of other opponents.
4. The attack and the technique of protection are not regulated. The defender does not wait for attack of the opponent any more, but he dictates interaction condition himself.

Do you give lessons with use of weapons or hand-to-hand fighting only?

Work with bokken, jo, tanto is studied at trainings in Mumonkan Aikido Club. Besides the classical Katori Shinto-ryu is studied.

Different instructors teach differently. So what is the right path to follow?

The correct path is the one that suits you.

In other martial arts, great attention is paid to techniques for protection against kicks. Is Aikido effective at kick-attack?

Everything depends on teaching methods. For example, in our club karate is included into studying program. Therefore, we learn the technique of kick attacks, as well as technique of protection against them.

Why do we need to learn ukemi?

When learning throwing techniques you should also breakfall skills. Ukemi is a method of keeping oneself safe at falling. In Aikido there are the following basic types of ukemi:

• Mae-ukemi is a method of falling forward, it's a forward somersault.
• Ushiro-ukemi is a safety method at falling back, rolling over one's back with a somersault backwards.
• Yoko-ukemi is safety method when falling sideward.

Ukemi is necessary in order to keep safe at training as well as outside the hall in everyday life.

Where in Minsk I can buy a kimono?

For Aikido a white judo kimono is used. In Minsk there are several sporting goods stores, where you can buy uniforms and equipment for martial arts:

• Budo-Nord - a shop of gear and equipment for martial arts.
• Megasport - a sporting goods store.
• Olympica Sport - a shop for sports and tourism equipment.
• Vimpex Sport - an Internet sporting goods store.