Aikido Practice - for whom ?

As of its non-violent and non-competitive qualities, AIKIDO is accessible for all: Men, women and children.
No particular physical conditions or any preliminary preparation is necessary to practice this discipline. It is enough to be in good health and not have any contraindications to practice AIKIDO.

As of no constraints of competition, some handicapped people are able to practice, participating in the same lesson, at the same level as everyone else.

What is the Recommended Pace  ?

The progress of each one is the direct result of one’s own commitment.
Each one can practice at his own rhythm according the individual will and availability.

With Whom do we Practice?

“ It is impossible to practice AIKIDO alone. The number of people practicing AIKIDO, the diversity and the renewal are the essential conditions for the evolution of each individual.
The beginners are often astonished to see that their first day of practice is with the advanced. The role of the advanced is to invite the newly arrived in order to put him on the way, using correct guidelines, to give him the means to learn the entire base of the practice. If the advantage for the beginner is certain, it is the same for the advanced:
Imagine two students working together at all times, month by month, knowing each others work perfectly just so they cannot proceed any longer. All will be foreseen and known without a possibility to question oneself by confronting new difficulties.
An oriental proverb said, “Similarity is Death”.
Two beginners together will not have many chances to progress, and two advanced together will not have many chances to evaluate. One of the main treasures of AIKIDO is therefore the diversity of its trainees. “
-Sensei Michael LEVY-NEUMAND

Where?

The practice of AIKDIO requires a special environment and specific rules. The DOJO is the “place where we practice the way”. The guarantee of the uniqueness of the DOJO, of the teaching and of the authenticity is the Sensei (“Master” or “Teacher” in Japanese).

He is the one leading the practice and study of AIKIDO and responsible of the surrounding and the spirit in which the DOJO functions. He therefore has the authority to accept or refuse any person to his course.

How ?

" The target of AIKIDO is not to destroy the other, but to build one-self. "
- O Sensei MORIHEI UESHIBA (founder of AIKIDO)

" The AIKIDO sends back the trainee to face himself, obliging him to build himself and discover his originality. "
-Sensei Michael LEVY-NEUMAND

Traditionally, and this is exactly what we are doing, the most advanced (SEMPAI), has to help the newly arrived (KOHAI). In the same way, the most advanced will lead the lesson if the teacher (SENSEI) is absent, late or busy. The fact of helping the less advanced and replacing the teacher, incites the advanced not only to be more attentive to what he does, but also to restructure and integrate systematically what he has learned.

This work, first step of autonomy, is very rich in learning because it enables one to receive step-by-step all of the tools in order to teach others and correct himself.

While receiving autonomy, the student becomes, bit by bit, his own teacher.
Even if he continues studying with his SENSEI, he manages to evaluate with coherency and efficiency within a discipline he has adapted for himself.

“As all traditional teachings, the practice of AIKIDO declines to 3 levels: the first is imitating the model, the second is the first steps towards autonomy, and the third is when the trainee is truly autonomic within his apprenticeship.”
- Sensei Alain PEYRACHE, in “ The grades “.