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 quality practice. That way, everyone is inclined to share knowledge and friendship with you.

The second, very important thing is – we don’t enter the Dojo just to learn some “moves.” One learns through partnering. And to be a good partner means to be focused, dynamic, proactive. The mind must be tuned to that frequency. If you're too distracted by daily tasks and problems – you won't be helpful to yourself, your partner, or the Sensei who might want to use you for a demonstration. The warm-up and Aiki-taiso exercises are what can center you and allow you to participate meaningfully in the real practice afterwards.

The practice itself is marked by learning both in the role of Tori (to lead, to apply stable and secure joint locks, to perform throws), and in the role of Uke (to be dynamic, yet stable, to constantly seek a good attack position, to attack properly in both position and focus, to learn to reflect Tori’s actions with correct movement or falls).

The big issue for beginners is that they focus too much on how to perform a specific technique, and completely neglect how to attack genuinely (i.e., effectively), how to move afterwards (not running after Tori like in a jog, but sliding with a low center, moving as much as possible from one stable and relatively safe position to another). In my view, learning to be a good Uke is much more important and beneficial than being able to perform 10, 20, or even 50 techniques and variations. If you focus more on Uke's work, you will definitely improve your skills as Tori. The reverse, however, doesn’t hold true – and that’s the subtle point.

For Advanced Practitioners:

The principles are the same, but with some additions.

First, they must be aware that whatever they do – it is directly copied and absorbed by the beginners. That means their responsibility for behavior in the Dojo, and during practice, is doubled.

They must also adapt to the level of the person in front of them, protect them from injuries, help them perform the techniques and exercises, guide them on how to position for a fall or a lock.

Additionally, they must partner with the Sensei with precise strikes and serious grabs, agility and quick reactions. It’s very important that techniques are demonstrated with speed, power, and effectiveness, and that movements are sharply accurate – only then will the myth that Aikido is an ineffective, dance-like art be dispelled. It *can* be that way, but people who behave like that should seriously reflect on the word “martial.” And stop acting like they’re offended, or justifying weak execution with the idea of “love and harmony.”

When Uke is capable of receiving effective techniques, then the Sensei can demonstrate as close to reality as possible, and beginners will aim for progress in that direction. Then we can talk about performing with spirit, energy, and proper understanding. Tori, in turn, will learn to execute techniques effectively, and ultimately, we will all see a quality result from the time and effort invested.

With all of the above, I wanted to express the concern that has been bothering me lately, because more and more I see young people in the dojo who want to assert themselves but are too lazy to move – let alone to follow, fall, or attack. They contort themselves into awkward positions just to avoid bending or squatting a bit more to be stable, with a secure center. At the same time, they resist and look for blame when something doesn’t work – and yes, it *will* work eventually, but with an unexpected outcome for them. More than one or two have left training with a broken nose or other minor or serious injuries. Is this necessary? What is anyone trying to prove in the Dojo?

Practice requires not so much physical effort, but mental effort, because the mind is what tunes the body for appropriate behavior. And we all need to be aware – why we’ve stepped onto the tatami, what we can learn and from whom, and how we can be as helpful as possible to ourselves and those around us.