Curriculum
Explore Aikido at Your Pace
The study group work together to cover a range of activities described within a shared teaching syllabus. This syllabus ensures everyone has the opportunity to explore a variety of fun and engaging aikidō exercises that drive and enable self-improvement.
Students can (optionally) work towards and achieve grading awards that help track progress through the curriculum. Requirements for each grade are clearly laid out within the syllabus helping students to self-assess and decide if they are ready to sit the associated examination.
Sanchin Aikido UK Syllabus v1.0.pdfTechniques
The core experience of aikidō training is the opportunity to learn and play with cool techniques! Usually techniques are paired exercises involving a role-based training model: one partner assumes the role of "tori" (the person taking the initiative) and the other of "uke" (the person receiving the technique). Partners train together and switch roles, providing opportunities to learn from different perspectives and test different skills.
Body Exercises
Solo exercises help develop good posture and condition the body to perform better during techniques. Alongside the partnered tests and techniques these will help the student improve their coordination and balance.
Coordination Tests
Sometimes a helping hand is useful to assist in assessing whether your posture is good or your structure is sound. The coordination tests apply a little bit of controlled pressure to challenge the student to improve in body and mind.
Etiquette
As a martial art originating in Japan there are a handful of cultural holdovers which can be fun to learn about. Students can participate in little things like bowing to each other as a way of saying thank you for the opportunity to train, or learning the Japanese names for techniques and concepts. This can be an extra way to train self-discipline for those who enjoy it.