Program Information
Looking to find the right martial art for you?
Awesome!
Many people benefit from training in a martial art and we support you in your desire to join that group. We also applaud your decision to gather information before you make that choice. All martial arts are not alike and it is important to choose an art that best meets your needs.
Read on for information about aikido and consider if it might be the right art for you.
What are you looking for in practicing a martial art? There are many things that people hope to gain. These may include:
- » Fitness
- » Confidence
- » Self Esteem
- » Focus
- » Body Awareness
- » Self Discipddne
- » Self-Defense Skills
- » Stress Relief
- » Balance
- » Strength
Aikido can help with all of these things, but so can a number of other martial arts. It is important to take into account the nature of the martial art, how the art is practiced and the quality and character of the dojo (place where you train) when choosing a martial art.
One of the first things many notice when seeing aikido for the first time is there isn't a lot of punching and kicking. Aikido has been called the "peaceful martial art" and the emphasis is on subduing an attacker through holds and throws without injuring them.
While that may sound kind of wimpy for a martial art, it doesn't really look that way. A common reaction people have when watching aikido for the first time, particularly a high level of aikido, is "Wow, I could never do that." People are flying through the air at high speed and landing on the mat with large smacking sounds. Sometimes an individual faces several attackers at the same time and it looks like some sort of blend between chaos and a beautiful dance.
The truth is - almost anybody can do it. Most of us can develop the ability to move that way and to master those techniques. It is not easy to develop such skill but it is quite rewarding and worth the effort.
The learning curve for aikido can be steeper than other martial arts. Let me explain. The majority of training in aikido involves practice between partners who take turns attacking each other and responding with the self defense techniques of aikido. Over time the practice gets faster and faster until you are able to handle full speed attacks. Of course, giving a full speed attack means you have to be able to take a full speed fall or be thrown at full speed.
You can see one of the first things you need to do is learn how to fall. It is vitally important in aikido to learn how to take care of your own body in a way that keeps you safe. This takes some time but is necessary to be able to practice the dynamic techniques and throws at a fast pace.
Learning to fall provides another benefit that many people don't think of when they start training in aikido. Being able to fall down is helpful. Many aikido practitioners have stories of potentially nasty falls on the ice (or off a bicycle or motor bike) that turned out to be no big deal because they knew how to fall. This skill also translates into an ease and comfort in moving your body.
Unfortunately, many people find learning to take care of their own body takes longer than they would want. Generally speaking, one can feel a difference faster in the way they throw a punch than in their ability to fall down safely. There may be more satisfaction of accomplishment in the early stages of some punching and kicking arts than there is in aikido.
It is important to consider this because aikido is not for everyone. While aikido provides a great deal of reward, it takes some patience to get to that reward. If you tend to try things and move on quickly, it may not be for you. If you are the kind of person who likes to invest energy in mastering new things, particularly things that bring benefits to you, aikido may be for you.
Another plus of the steep learning curve is that aikido brings challenges and areas for potential growth no matter how long you practice. If you are interested in an activity that allows you to continually challenge yourself physically and mentally you should at least give it a look.
Click the link below and we will send you more information about aikido over the next few days, including some videos (of both advanced and earlier students) and stories from some of our students about how they got into aikido and what keeps them coming.
For more information, click here.
We will also tell you more about our dojo and give you information about our classes in case you want to give it a try.
More Information...
The Oak Park Aikikai offers classes in Aikido through the Park District of Oak Park. Information on new sessions and joining can be found in the Parks and Recreation of Oak Park course catalog which comes out quarterly.
You can register for classes by phone, by mail, by fax, in person, or online.
Interested people are welcome to come by and observe a class before signing up. This gives you the opportunity to see what to expect and ask questions after the class. Please see the class schedule for days and times.
The Beginning and Kids session meets once a week for ten (10) weeks. Continuing and Advanced sessions meet once a week for twelve (12) weeks
Aikido for Kids (Ages: 9 to 14)
Aikido is a way of harmony, not combat. Children who study Aikido develop and expand their mental and physical awareness while learning cooperation and respect for others. Instruction begins with exercises to stretch and strengthen young bodies and improve attention, coordination and motor skills. Falling with confidence is a big part of training followed by learning the principles of movement which allows students to practice techniques with partners.
Aikido for Adults (Ages: 15 and up)
Three levels of instruction are offered: beginning, continuing, and advanced. Admission to higher level classes is based on the student's progress and requires sensei's (instructor's) permission. The student's ability to take safe ukemi (correct falling techniques) is paramount in the sensei's decision.
Beginning Aikido: Students will be introduced to the philosophy and techniques of Aikido while learning relaxation and centering techniques. Conditioning exercises, which prepare the body to execute Aikido techniques, will be emphasized. Traditionally, Aikido students wear a gi. However, for the beginning student this is not necessary. Loose fitting clothes such as sweatpants and a long-sleeve T-shirt are suggested. A gi is required for students entering the Continuing class.
Continuing Aikido: Requires the completion of the Beginners Aikido course and the Instructor's consent. The focus will be on the requirements for rank testing. The pace is aerobic.
Advanced Aikido: Requires the completion of the Continuing Aikido course and the Instructor's consent. The focus is on advanced body arts and Aikido weapons.
Announcements:
- Visit Birankai North America for a more extensive calendar of seminars.