How are practice sessions organized?
Practice sessions are led by one of the instructors or by a senior student and are usually divided into six periods of different activities that lead one into another: preparation, warm-up, Ki development exercises, ukemi practice, technique practice, and ending. Practice is organized so that students warm up progressively, minimizing the possibility of injury and promoting student's growth and improvement.
How do practice sessions begin?
Before each practice, students line up on the mat, facing the front of the room and sitting in the seiza position. During this quiet time before practice begins, members prepare for practice by "catching one point", meditating on the four principles of Aikido Kokikai, or just putting themselves in the right frame of mind. Instructors may test each student's posture during this time. To begin practice, the instructor or senior student leading practice will take a place in front, everyone will bow to the shomen (the head of the room), and then the students will bow to the leader, who will start the warm-up exercises.
Why are the warm-up exercises so important?
The second part of practice, the warm-up exercises, are important because they prepare your muscles for the type of work they will be doing later in practice and help prevent the kinds of muscle injuries common to many sports activities. Some of the warm-ups involve gentle stretching - since the warm-ups are performed with motion, make sure that only the very mildest of stretching occurs. For improved flexibility, a personal stretching routine using slow stretching is recommended.
How are techniques taught?
After ukemi practice, students sit in seiza as they did at the beginning of practice. The instructor will call someone up to assist and will demonstrate a technique several times. Then students will split into pairs or groups to practice the technique. This means that you must do your best to see what the instructor is demonstrating and try to copy it. If your partner knows the technique he or she may lead you through it. If neither you or your partner know the technique, then you must do your best to perform the technique as you saw the instructor perform it. Soon an instructor will come around to correct and help you. Aikido is taught mostly by example. Too much talk and explanation actually gets in the way, so try to limit your on-mat conversation. Think positive--nothing you see someone else demonstrate is impossible--you can do it too, with practice!
Can I ask an instructor for help?
Yes! Wait until the instructor is near you and your partner and say "Excuse me, Sensei, I have a question." Do not interrupt while the instructor is helping someone else, and do not yell across the Dojo to get an instructor’s attention. If you can't get an instructor's attention right away, keep on practicing, or spend a moment observing someone who appears to be performing the technique correctly; then practice some more. Often you and your partner can work out the proper way to perform a technique on your own. This can happen because each of you may have seen and remembered different parts of the technique that complement each other, even if neither of you has a clear picture of the whole thing. Try to spend as much time as possible practicing the technique, though, and try not to get too caught up in discussing it.
How does practice end?
Usually practice ends with an exercise called kokyu-dosa that you will do with your partner. Then all students will line up as at the beginning of class. Sometimes there will be a brief meditation period, or practice of breathing exercises, or even misogi, where everyone shouts loudly, with Ki, using their full lung capacity. All of these serve to leave Dojo members with a proper feeling of the use of Aikido principles. At the end of this period, everyone will bow to shomen, then to the instructor who led practice, and then to their last partner.
What if I get hurt?
Tell the instructor immediately! It is foolish to keep practicing if you suspect an injury. Neglecting a minor injury can turn it into a major one. Prompt attention to even a serious injury can dramatically improve your recovery time. It is also important to remember that your partner is another person, not some kind of training dummy. If you learn and practice the techniques properly you will not injure your partner. Do not continue a technique if your partner indicates that you are causing an injury! Give yourself the same respect and let your partners know if you think they're going to hurt you when performing a technique. Ask an instructor for assistance BEFORE anyone gets hurt!