What happens in an Aikido class?

Different schools may have slightly variable ways of doing things, but here is an overview of what happens at most classes at Aikido of Madison.

1: Bow in

Before class all the students line up in a row. Watch those around you for cues on where to go and how to sit. There is no order to how people line up so you can be anywhere in the row that you feel comfortable.

Once the teacher comes to the front, the class will follow them and bow in. This is done with a bow, two claps, and a bow, followed by a greeting in Japanese (which you will learn in time).

2: Warmup

Getting our bodies ready to train is next. Each instructor will have their own unique take on warming up based on their experience and things that they consider important. It may even be influenced by what they have planned for class. You should always take care of yourself and NEVER feel pressured to do something that others are doing if you think it will hurt you.

3: Training

The teacher will demonstrate and/or explain some movements. This may be a full technique, or it may be just a fragment or even an exercise that helps unlock a specific concept. Once they have finished they will give a cue that it is time to practice it.

• Normally this practice is done in pairs. Find someone to train with, bow to them, and find a spot on the mat to practice. If you are very new, you can expect experienced students to come find you to make sure you are not lost.
• If there are an odd number of students in the class, one group might have 3 people. In that case everyone takes turns. Your fellow students will help organize this if you are in such a group.
• In some circumstances the class may be broken into larger groups. This may serve an instructional goal, or it may be simply for safety if the class is large and space is tight.
• After some period of practice, the teacher will clap or otherwise signal that you should line up again. They will instruct some more, either adding to what has just been done or introducing something new. The practice cycle repeats.

4: Ending class

When it is time to end class, the teacher may make some closing observations, and then the bowing-in procedure is reversed. Bow, 2 claps, bow, and then an expression of thanks in Japanese. Then the class forms a circle--follow what's happening around you and it will soon be second nature to you. Once this circle is formed, we all thank the group and any announcements are shared.

5: Cleaning

Once class is done we do some chores to care for our space. The most visible one is sweeping the mat, which is done in a very specific way. One of your fellow students can help you understand how to participate.