Hi, i'm currently studying ****o Ryu karate, and i was looking for a locking art to complement it with. By coincidence an Aikido guy is starting a dojo in my youth club (where my karate dojo is at). Considering the club also offers Judo, but judo doesn't suit my body size/shape. Anyway, i borrowed a book about Aikido from my local library (it's about Yoshinkan, but i don't know the style the teacher teaches) and the more i read into it the less i know about it than i though,so i have some questions: 1. What are the four main styles of Aikido and the differences between them? 2.while practicing do i need a hukama? 3. what is the ranking system like? 4. how much of the techniques is internal and how much does physical strength help? more questions will come thanks in advance
Check out the martial art of aikido threads here on MAP. If you have the choice have a look at Iwama aikido it includes study of the sword and stick. regards koyo Traditional aikido, however you MUST find a good teacher as many have changed the art to suit themselves. Yoshinkan has a structured manner of teaching that a karateka could fit into well Yoseikan has techniques from karate and judo Tomoki aikido has competition agains knife Kr aikido lays no claim to be a martial art I train in traditional aikido as it was when it first came out of Japan this includes strikes and weapons training.
All the guys in my club wear Judogis Even then we get the occasional sleave ripped. Still I think the karata gi should stand up to the training. Best wishes for your training. let us know how it goes. regards Bill
There's a FAQ in the Aikido Resources subforum that will help with your questions. And yes, a karate-style gi will be just fine for a long time. A lot of people I know transition from karate-style to judo-style to aikido-style gi. The aikido-style gi has shorter sleeves and a thickness midway between that of the other two.
As aiki mac says there is a gi specific to aikido. See below. The shorter sleeves are for weapons training. Note the kendoka in the audience, black gi, same length of sleeve. Be sure it is not tight under the arm pits. regards koyo
Probably, Aikikai (although they will say, "Aikikai is not a style, it is an organisation with many different approaches..." ) Yoshinkan Shodokan/Tomiki Ki Aikido/Kokikai (these are seperate but similar) There is also two other "main" schools, Iwama Ryu/Traditional Yoseikan (In Australia, you will only find this in Perth) As for differences, that may take some time, a long time... Most styles do not use a hakama, or reserve it for yudansha (black belts), so no. Every "style" is different. If you do a :google: search you will find the standard Aikikai and Shodokan syllabus, which are available for download. These are a standard across almost all dojos in the organisation. I don't know about the other styles, except for Yoseikan . Physical strength is not supposed to be involved, hence the reason some claim that Aikido is ideal for women, as it is not based on strength. Having said that, it is not necessarily internal, it is what Jigoro Kano called, maximum efficiency. That is perfect timing with coordination of your entire body. Just like a reverse punch, using the feet-legs-hips-back-shoulders-arms-hands all together. Using your entire body correctly, even a person who is not considered strong, can deliver a powerful punch. Regards,
Hi Koyo, Life is good right now (except that there is no training due to the holidays ). The family is good, and being a father is great. Happy new year to you. Regards,
i think practising karate and aikido is a good combonation if you apply karate moves in an aiki manner
One of the karate styles I had discovered recently been introduced to is wado ryu. Great style I would say. It's a style that uses very similiar taisabaki to the ones I use in aikido and jujutsu. I would recommend seeing if you can make the connections with your style of aikido and your karate, it's really quite fascinating. Cross-training brings out the best in us! Good luck!
Watched some vids on Youtube, and I must say as an Aikidoka and Karateka, I am was not really impressed. Having said that, as a Kenjutsuka, one of my pet peeves is tachi dori by people who don't know how to use a sword... Regards,
Could not agree more. In tachi dori you MUST be a much more experienced SWORDSMAN than the attacker irrespective of your unarmed art. David agrees(bokken dori mishap)
Okay we all know my Japanese is pants. Tachi Dori is something like taking the sword away from your opponent right?
I "just got off line" . Charles is one of my students and I have ftfteen years more experinece. You can see my bokken held gyaku and half sword against his chest. If he were a superior swordsman I would be "dead". Makes me shudder when I think of some tachi dori demos I have seen. regards koyo
