2017 Student Handbook 2115 Midland Ave, Unit #7 Scarborough, On 647-896-2257 [email protected] www.torontoaikido.com Contents Introduction and History………………………………………………………………………………... 3 • Aikido ...................................................................................................................................... 3 • Yoshinkan Aikido .................................................................................................................... 3 • Seimeikan Aikido Dojo ........................................................................................................... 3 • Toronto Aikido Centre (Shunpukan Dojo) .............................................................................. 4 Dojo Etiquette…………………………………………………………………………………………… 5 • Tradition, Respect and Discipline ............................................................................................ 5 Adult Fees and Grading ……………………………………………………………………………….. 7 • Fee Schedule ............................................................................................................................ 7 • Adult Grading Requirements ................................................................................................. 8 Grading Techniques……………………………………………………………………………………..11 8th Kyu - Yellow Belt with stripe ............................................................................................................... 12 7th Kyu - Yellow Belt ................................................................................................................................. 13 6th Kyu - Orange Belt with Stripe .............................................................................................................. 14 5th Kyu - Orange Belt ................................................................................................................................. 15 4th Kyu - Green Belt ................................................................................................................................... 16 3rd Kyu - Brown Belt with two stripes ....................................................................................................... 17 2nd Kyu - Brown Belt with one stripe ........................................................................................................ 18 1st Kyu - Brown Belt .................................................................................................................................. 19 Toronto Aikido Calendar ............................................................................................................................ 21 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 • General Terms used in Class .................................................................................................. 24 • Counting in Japanese .............................................................................................................. 25 1 2 Introduction and History Aikido Aikido's founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was born in Japan on December 14, 1883. As a boy, he often saw local thugs beat up his father for political reasons. He set out to make himself strong so that he could take revenge. He devoted himself to hard physical conditioning and eventually to the practice of martial arts, receiving certificates of mastery in several styles of jujitsu, fencing, and spear fighting. In spite of his impressive physical and martial capabilities, however, he felt very dissatisfied. He began delving into religions in hopes of finding a deeper significance to life, all the while continuing to pursue his studies of budo, or the martial ways. By combining his martial training with his religious and political ideologies, he created the modern martial art of Aikido. Ueshiba Sensei decided on the name "Aikido" in 1942 (before that he called his martial art "aikibudo" and "aikinomichi"). On the technical side, Aikido is rooted in several styles of jujitsu (from which modern judo is also derived), in particular Daitoryu-(aiki)jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts. Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that Aikido takes the joint locks and throws from jujitsu and combines them with the body movements of sword and spear fighting. However, we must also realize that many Aikido techniques are the result of Ueshiba Sensei's own innovation. Yoshinkan Aikido The Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation was founded in 1955 by Gozo Shioda. Shioda Sensei's style of Aikido is known as Yoshinkan. This name was inherited from his father, who owned a Kendo (Japanese fencing) and Judo dojo under the same name. Literally, the word Yoshinkan translates as: "YO" means cultivating; "SHIN" means spirit or mind; "KAN" means house. The Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo (headquarters) is located at the heart of Tokyo in Shinjuku where many different courses are offered for instructors, the police force, overseas students and children. The dojo is a modern, open design facility with administration offices and additional facilities for "uchi deshi" (live-in instructor trainees). The current head of the Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation is Yasuhisa Shioda, who is the son of Shioda Sensei. Yoshinkan style emphasizes fundamental movements and basic solid techniques as well as gaining philosophical insight into the conduct of life and human relationships. Seimeikan Aikido Dojo The Seimeikan Dojo was established in 1985 as a member of the International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation. Seimeikan's Head Instructor was Mitsugoro Karasawa who studied directly under Shioda Sensei. Karasawa Sensei is a Seventh Dan black belt and has over 45 years of Aikido teaching and involvement. Literally, the word Seimeikan translates as: “SEI” means pure; “MEI” means light up; “KAN” means house. Seimeikan is a place in which to light up or reveal your purity. Seimeikan’s intent was to provide a place where students could train their minds and bodies, to create a true spirit of harmony and to ultimately create better human beings, both mentally and physically. 3 Toronto Aikido Centre (Shunpukan Dojo) Unfortunately, in 2003, Karasawa Sensei decided to retire and planned to close the Seimeikan Dojo. The student body was eagerly looking for a way to continue train at the same level and style. At the last minute, he was won over by the students’ appeal and zest to continue training. He turned over the day-to-day management to one of his longest training students, Alan Shumak, who is a Fifth Dan black belt. Karasawa Sensei occasionally teaches and oversees certain classes to provide motivation and growth to the senior students whenever possible, and maintains a regular presence at the dojo. The dojo was renamed as the Toronto Aikido Centre with Karasawa Sensei bestowing its Japanese name as the Shunpukan. Literally, the word Shunpukan translates as: “SHUN” means spring; “PU” means breeze; “KAN” means house. Shunpukan is the place of the spring breeze. Karasawa Sensei felt that the new dojo would be revitalized by the breeze of new challenges and fresh ideas. 4 Dojo Etiquette Tradition, Respect and Discipline One of the most important aspects of the study of Aikido is learning to discipline one's own behaviour and self-control. A prime example of this discipline is the etiquette we observe with our Senseis and fellow students, in the dojo or practice area. Unfortunately, the etiquette we observe is often confused with worship. Aikido is not a religious practice. When we bow or observe special ceremonies, we do so for the purpose of training our minds, not worship or submission. Etiquette is also confused in our minds with respect. The etiquette we practice may reflect respect. We can show respect, and we do so by following the correct dojo etiquette. It isn't important that others respond to our respect; to be respectful is the important part. Visitors are also expected to observe these conduct guidelines. To be impolite is to be lacking in consideration of others; to be inconsiderate is to be lacking, somehow, in some essential kindness. The correct Aikido etiquette is basically acting politely and with consideration of others. Some of the manners we try to observe are: • When entering or leaving a dojo we face the front of the practice area and bow. We use this bow as an opportunity to remind ourselves to be grateful for this place to train; • We take off our hats and shoes, dispose of chewing gum, and stop any other distracting practices that might interfere with our training or others' training; • We take off our street clothes and put on a training uniform (a dogi, if possible). This helps us shed our outside concerns and focus our attention on our current task - Aikido training. Grateful for the opportunity to study Aikido, we want to focus all our attention and energy on that one task; • Proper, complete clean and proper uniforms are preferred. Our study is a formal one, and the completeness of our dress reflects the attention we give to our study. A complete uniform also affords greater protection of our bodies; • When we greet a fellow student or a Sensei, we do so with a traditional bow and the phrase “Osu!” This is customary in the practice of Yoshinkan Aikido. Bowing is also a sign of humility and reminds us that we are unendingly involved in a relationship with the people around us; • Punctuality is encouraged. Try to be ready and on the mats 5 minutes prior to the start of class. • If you arrive for class late