How to Make Our AIKIDO Training More Meaningful, Effective, and Ensure Relatively Steady Progress Both Technically and Intellectually
I will divide my ideas into two directions – for beginners and advanced practitioners. Let me clarify in advance that belts serve only as a visual indicator of someone's technical level. What goes on in people's minds is an entirely different matter and cannot be captured by the color of their belt. For Beginners (up to blue belt): First, when you enter the Dojo, you must express your respect with a bow to O-Sensei, to the tatami, and to the other Senseis and students. Without respect for the people and the place, you will achieve nothing. This attitude is reflected in simple habits – hygiene, work ethic, focus. From my first steps in Tendokan Dojo, some of the first things I learned were to actively participate in maintaining cleanliness, in additional activities like meditation, suburi practice, seminars. This helped me quickly integrate into this new environment, establish connections with everyone – both teachers and students in the Dojo – which lays a solid foundation for ...