Learning Aikido

[Reignmaker]

I am not sure this is the correct place for this post, if not i apologize, I am new to the community.

I am wanting to begin aikido in the upcoming new year, I have searched the web pretty thoroughly for as much information as I could gather in regards to various schools in my area.

Is this site mainly comprised of people from St. Louis?

Back to learning Aikido, how does someone who knows very little about Aikido, decide what school or Dojo is best for him to learn ? I have not come across many topics on determining where to start.

My goal would be to attend a school that is sincere, and can teach me properly. I guess a concern would be to invest some time in a school, only to find out  down the road that many people involved in Aikido look down on a particular school for one reason or another.

Another concern: If someone truly commits to learning Aikido, what is the time frame to advance in rank? I know that probably varies, but can anyone give me an idea of the timeline?

And no, I am not looking to learn Aikido quickly, Just curious about a timeline for a person that works hard at it, what kind of timeline can one expect to get to a fairly respectable rank. Does this depend on the instructor as much as the student? Meaning do instructors allow you to test based on their personal opinions, and is that dictated by how much time a student has invested?

Again, I am from St. Louis, if anyone has a recommendation on an excellent school as well as instructor, I would appreciate any advice or help.

As far as gear, I see in a lot of web galleries, that most people wear the black pants, I always thought that wearing the black pants was based on being a black belt, is this not true? Anyway any help on this topic would also be appreciated.

I am sure many of the regulars in these forums see post's similair to mine all the time, my apologies, I looked for old threads regarding the topic, I was unable to find any, maybe I was not searching correctly. Thanks for your time.

Reignmaker

[Adam]

Hi "Reignmaker" (I'm assuming that's not your actual name. How 'bout an introduction? Or at least a first name   ),

I'll try to address some of your questions. Although it seems you've already answered many of them yourself.

Is this site mainly comprised of people from St. Louis?

Registered members are throughout the U.S.A. (and a few other countries, I think). However, it seems the most active on the forum are St. Louis members.

how does someone who knows very little about Aikido, decide what school or Dojo is best for him to learn?

The best choice is the school you like best. Give all the dojos you care to find in St. Louis a visit ... try a class or two to get an initial feel ... then make a decision on which one you'd like to train at for a while. If it's not working out, try another. You may begin to hear stories about how it's not the style or dojo, but the teacher that's important. There's also the overall feeling of the dojo community that might be what you're looking for. Be prepared for the fact that although many dojos have a head instructor, the teaching responsibilities can be spread among senior students. Such is the case at the St. Louis Ki Society.

One of your concerns:

many people involved in Aikido look down on a particular school for one reason or another.

Aikido doesn't hold the monopoly on that one. People can be petty. Even organizations can be. Hopefully, the majority of us attempt not to be.

Another concern: If someone truly commits to learning Aikido, what is the time frame to advance in rank?

It will depend on the dojo. It could take 4 or more years to reach shodan (1st degree black-belt) level. Is this really a concern?

... do instructors allow you to test based on their personal opinions, and is that dictated by how much time a student has invested?

Yes and no. The head or chief instructor's opinion always matters. In fact, some students are "asked" to test even if that student doesn't necessarily feel they are ready. There are also minimum requirements that need to be satisfied (classes and months trained). However, previous aikido experience is taken into account.

I am from St. Louis, if anyone has a recommendation on an excellent school ...

Being biased, I would recommend the St. Louis Ki Society. Mark Rubbert is the head instructor. He has 24-or-so years training in aikido and holds the rank of godan (5th degree blackbelt). A listing of St. louis dojos can be found here. Just type in Saint Louis, choose state and country, and you're off!

The "black-pants" or hakama, are usually worn by students at brown belt or shodan level and above. Some schools don't bother with them. Others allow all ranks to wear them. It depends. Usually, you can begin training with just a sturdy pair of sweats. At our dojo a "uniform" is not a requirement to begin training.

Please feel free to ask all the questions you want. And good luck!

thanks,
Adam

[Reignmaker]

Hello Adam,

Thanks for the reply, sorry for not putting my real name in post, my real name is Tony.

Your answers were very helpful. I am at work and will respond when I have more time, again I thank you.

Tony

[Reignmaker]

Adam, thanks again for the response, your were answers were very helpful.

I had asked about time frame for repsectable advancement in Aikido, and you asked if that was truly a concern?

I would not say its a concern to the point of wether or not I will take up aikido, I have already made up my mind that I will begin taking aikido.

I think its a logical question, if in fact I am going to commit so much time to Aikdio, it would only be normal for or anyone not to want to know some idea of a timeframe.

Basically I dont see how you could involve yourself in a sport, and not even know what time frame you are looking at.

again, thanks for your time

Tony

[Adam]

I think its a logical question, if in fact I am going to commit so much time to Aikdio, it would only be normal for or anyone not to want to know some idea of a timeframe.

If one dojo said 4 years to blackbelt, while another said 10 years to blackbelt, would the person in the "10 year school" be of lesser skill than the "4 year blackbelt" in the same timeframe? Do you want a time frame for ranking or for acquiring skill/knowledge? The latter is really up to you.

Basically I don't see how you could involve yourself in a sport, and not even know what time frame you are looking at.

Well, aikido is not a sport. However, yours is a common question. I think I asked it when I was starting out. I've since learned that my time-frame is for life. Or until I've somehow grown disinterested. That doesn't seem likely in the near or distant future.

Good to hear you'll be giving aikido a shot! Just remember, to get good in aikido ... don't quit and don't die (not my words, just paraphrased from a wise source).

thanks,
Adam