A common, but not the only translation for Aikido is "The Way of Harmonious Spirit". The founder is Morihei Ueshiba. Two other names that he is called by are Kaiso (founder) and Osensei (Great Teacher). Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. The origins of the style come from Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu. There have been branches of Aikido formed both before and after Morihei Ueshiba's death. Our branch is Namagashi Aikido. It focuses on the format of Watorado Bujitsu (The Returning Wave). Our local instructor (Sensei/Sifu) here is Hector Hernandez. He has added principles of Wing Chun and Kenpo to the art. With the blending of the arts you will hear Japanese and Chinese references. As such, we ask that you keep the tradition of keeping an open mind. Always be open to learn something new. It is the person that thinks he is a master and not a student that limits himself.

Belt Ranks

There are seven kyu and ten dan ranks.

7th kyu - white belt

6th kyu - yellow belt

5th kyu - orange belt

4th kyu - blue belt

3rd kyu - green belt

2nd kyu - brown belt

1st kyu - brown with black stripe

1st dan - black belt (Shodan)

Counting

All counting is done in Japanese.

ichi - one

ni - two

san - three

shi - four (yon as a prefix, is sometimes substituted for shi)

go - five

roku - six

shichi - seven

hachi - eight

kyu - nine

ju - ten

What you're expected to learn at White Belt:

All breakfalls

Blocking

Asking Hands

Irima Shuto

Ushiro Shuto

Age Shuto

Three kicks

Front Kick

Side Kick

Rear Kick

Punches

Lunge Punch

Reverse Punch

Mune Tsuki - Chest Thrust

Ganmen Tsuki - Face Thrust

Strikes

Shuto - Knife Hand

Ridge Hand

Accepting Soft Block to Strike

Shomen Uchi - Front of Head Strike

Yokomen Uchi - Side of Head Strike

Controls, Escapes, and Wrist Locks

Sonkyo - Front Wrist Lock

Katatedon - Single Hand Grab

Morotedon - Both Hands Grab

Ryotedon - Both Hands Grab

Katadon - Shoulder Grab

Katadorimen Uchi - Face Strike

Munedori - Chest Grab/Clothing Grab

Endon - Colar Grab

Ikkyo - One Hand + Elbow Control

Nikyo - Prunting Wrist Lock

Yonkyo - Shoulder Control with Two Hands Gripping Forearm

Gokyo - Inverted Wrist Grab

Throws

Shiho Nage - Hand Folded Behind Shoulder

Kotegashi - Forearm Return and Throw

Kakyu Nage - Breath Throw (Used for Joint Locks)

Irimi Nage - Entering Throws

Ryotedo Nage - Heaven and Earth Throw

Koshi Nage - Hip Throw

Juji Nage - Figure Ten Throw

Kaite Nage - Rotary Throw