Aikido Blog

How to fold a Hakama

How to fold a Hakama

  How to fold a Hakama Hi, today we’re going to talk a little bit about Hakama folding in Aikido, and more particularly about Hakama folding here at Aikido of Charlotte. It’s very much a part of our culture. Hakama folding is something that you are encouraged to learn how to do early on in…

Rank promotion

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Rank promotion in Aikido Rank promotion in Aikido, as in any martial art, is a solemn and special occasion and there is an etiquette to receiving a promotion certificate. It’s important to realize that your Sensei is recognizing your hard work and effort with a promotion and at the same time, give them thanks for…

Talk Less. Do More.

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Talk Less. Do More. In the dojo, we often make the point that there is only ever one instructor on the mat. It is never appropriate to offer your own instruction, unless directed by the instructor of the class (or if your partner is unknowingly doing something unsafe). Keeping that in mind, there is also…

What makes a good Aikido student great?

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What makes a good Aikido student great? As I approach my 20th year studying Aikido, I find myself reflecting back on the journey. When I started, I really had just one mission: Be a good student. As time passed and I learned from my teacher and many others, I started to observe certain training habits,…

Taking Ukemi for Sensei

taking-ukemi

Taking Ukemi for Sensei One of the most fun, exciting, nerve-racking, and honoring feelings in Aikido is when you are called up to uke for the teacher. Whether it’s in class or a seminar — as someone who has done both for many Shihan over the years, I wanted to share some of what I…

The Slight Edge

slight-edge

As a 52 year old 5 year aikido beginner I have observed a few things regarding consistency. • When I started I didn’t have endurance to be mentally present, so I had to develop endurance. I did that by breathing. ALOT. Learning to exhale at the most extreme part of the movement took time but…

It’s really up to you.

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It’s really up to you. I was recently talking to an Aikido student and at one point of the conversation ‘rank advancement’ or promotion was brought up.  He remarked, ‘It’s not up to me if I ever get promoted’  As a teacher and one who promotes students I thought about this.  It got me thinking…

Vigorous Training in Aikido

Vigorous Training in Aikido

Vigorous Training in Aikido. The first goal of Aikido training is to be safe. After that, the goal is to maximize your returns…and that means repetition. Ideal training should happen at as vigorous a pace as possible, to get as many correct repetitions in as possible. As we develop, that pace increases. It’s important to…

Featured on WCNC – NBC Charlotte!

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  Featured on WCNC – NBC Charlotte – Aikido of Charlotte These kinds of stories are making headlines across the country. And here in Charlotte, hundreds of women are now taking matters into their own hands. Literally, by enrolling in self-defense classes, like the ones offered at Aikido of Charlotte. “The reality of the world…

Reflections on 18 years in Aikido.

Reflections on 18 years in Aikido

  Reflections on 18 years in Aikido. As I approach completing my 18th year of training in Aikido next month, there are some memories I wanted to reflect on: -Attending my First Winter Camp 9 week after starting. -Attending my First Summer Camp at Colgate University and attending every class for the full week. -Yamada…