Aikido

Yoshinkai ACT

Getting Started: Osu!

Getting Started: Osu!

Osu!

This section provides information that will help you to get started in your aikido journey with Aikido Yoshinkai ACT. Please contact us should you need any more information about what we do and who we are.

“Osu!” is a shortened form of “Ohayo gozaimasu” (Japanese for “Good morning”) but it has a much deeper meaning than that when used with feeling and sincerity. It is used to convey gratitude, humility, comprehension. Please see attached file for more explanation about “Osu!“.

 

What to Wear

  • Initially you could wear a T-shirt and sweat pants as long as they are comfortable.
  • You do not have to wear a dogi (or those funny white pyjamas) for the first few lessons. It’s probably better to wait to purchase a dogi until you feel Aikido Yoshinkai ACT (AYACT) is right for you. We would expect you to have a dogi by your second calendar month of training at the latest.
  • If you have a white dogi, please wear it. For us, a white dogi represents purity of purpose, humility and respect for the dojo (training hall) and your training partners. As AYACT is a traditional Japanese martial art dojo, wearing a multi-coloured dogi or a dogi with over-the-top embellishment(s) is not proper dojo etiquette.
  • The dogi is something that we should wear with pride. Just as the Samurai looked after their weapons so should we the dogi.
  • Keep your dogi clean and maintain good personal hygiene as aikido practice is a contact activity.
  • The dogi jacket is always worn left side over right as per Japanese custom. When tying your belt make sure that both ends are even, representing balance.
  • It is not customary for men to wear clothing, e.g. T-shirt, under the dogi jacket but we leave this to your discretion.
  • Aikido is a contact activity so it is recommended that women consider wearing appropriate clothing under the gi jacket.
  • Fold the dogi neatly when placing it in your bag before and after training..
  • Please wear a white belt unless you hold a current Yoshinkan rank. If you have not trained in a Yoshinkan dojo for 12 months or more, please wear a white belt until we agree for you to wear a colour belt.
  • If you have a black belt from another aikido style, please discuss this with us before you seek to wear your black belt in our dojo. While we acknowledge that your worked hard for your rank, this is a traditional dojo and we follow traditional etiquette.
  • For those who may have a hakama, it is our dojo’s etiquette that only senior Yoshinkai instructors and/or the lead instructor on the mat may wear a hakama.

 

Safety

Safety is everyone’s responsibility in the dojo (training hall)!

Training is always conducted in a safe, nurturing environment that allows members to develop at their own pace. Safety is always the highest priority, learning how to safely practice is at the forefront of all our classes.

In the dojo:

  • If you have a health issue or injury that may affect your ability to train, please inform the instructor BEFORE you get on the mat.
  • If you are injured in the dojo, inform the instructor.
  • If at any time during class you feel unwell, inform the instructor.
  • No jewellery shall be worn while training in the dojo. This includes ear/nose/body rings/studs, and any other objects that can cause injury to your partner or yourself.
  • If you cannot take off your ring or other jewellery off your body, please put tape around the ring and/or cover-up your jewellery.
  • Long hair locks/ponytails need to be secured so they are not a hazard to yourself and others on the mat.
  • Finger and toe nails must be trimmed to avoid injury to your partner or yourself.
  • Ensure that any cuts, scrapes, open wounds are properly bandaged up.
  • If you start to bleed, inform the instructor and excuse yourself to bandage the cut and clean the blood off the mat. Gloves and bandages are available in the first aid kit.
  • Anyone showing signs of intoxication will not be permitted to train and may be asked to leave the dojo.

Other Points:

  • If you have a medical condition that may affect your ability to train, please consult your doctor before you seek to train with us. If you have a medical condition, please provide a medical certificate supporting your membership application before you train with us.
  • Keep your dogi clean and maintain good personal hygiene as aikido practice is a contact activity.
  • Drink plenty of water before the class to avoid dehydration. This is especially true during the summer months.
  • Food/drink is NOT permitted on the mats. Consumption of food/drink is permitted in change rooms or reception/front area.
  • Smoking is strictly prohibited.
  • Please help us keep the dojo clean and dispose of trash accordingly.
  • Swearing or lewd behaviour will NOT be tolerated in the dojo.

 

Changes to AYACT routines in the Centre/Dojo due to Covid19 

The covid virus has changed our community generally and our training environment . There is still much that we do not know or understand about the virus, so AYACT will be conservative and prudent when managing the health and safety risks in our training activities.

AYACT’s Covid19 Safety Plan-Actions

  • It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure and practise health and safety in our community and environment.
  • We are in new (covid) territory and it’s up to everyone to act consistently with the practices listed below. They will be second nature to you eventually.
  • Please do NOT feel offended if any member of the Dojo points out to you that you are NOT following any one of the practices (listed in AYACT’s Covid19 Safety Plan-Actions).
  • If you do not adhere to the listed practices, you may not be permitted to train for the duration of  the pandemic.
  • Be flexible and patient please. Not all contingencies can be anticipated so we may need to make adjustments as we resume training.
  • If it is your first time to the Dojo since covid, Sensei or his representative will ensure you understand the practices. (A quiz if you like.)
IMPORTANT!
  • If anyone contracts Covid19 – outside or inside the Centre/Dojo, please inform Sensei asap/immediately. 
  • If the Dojo is closed due to an infection or a possible infection, Sensei will advise members and parents by email asap/immediately. A notice will be posted on our website asap.

Generally

  • The front entrance door to the Centre will be locked when training starts to until training ends. If you are late and the door is locked, please call Sensei on mobile 0477 689 448 to gain entry or knock loudly
  • Non members including parents or if you are not training, will NOT be permitted to stay inside the Dojo hall – please stay outside of the hall. Better still, parents please exit the Centre and return when scheduled training ends
  • The glass door(s) in the Dojo hall will be opened for ventilation weather permitting, for the duration of scheduled training. But there will NOT be public entry/egress to the Centre via these doors
  • The ceiling rotary fans will not be operating
  • There will be sanitising-gel stations in the Dojo for your use.  For an effective sanitizer, The World Health Organization standard requires at least 80 per cent ethanol or 75 per cent isopropyl alcohol
  • Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is still the best defence against spreading the virus
Do not come to the Centre/Dojo and/or get on the mat if you are not feeling well:
  • This applies even before Covid19!
  • You do yourself no favour by training if you are not well, and/or you could infect other members with a virus/bacteria. There are no medication that are effective against a virus.
  • Check that you do not have covid symptoms. If you have symptoms or are in doubt, please don’t come to the Dojo or get on the mat. Instead consult your doctor and/or refer to the Government’s Covid19 symptom checker: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool/basic-details
Covid19 symptoms:  
  • Not everyone infected will have covid symptoms – it has been estimated that about 35% of infected people do not have symptom(s) but they can infect
  • Not everyone will have the same covid symptoms – people suffering from a cold or flu may also have these same symptoms
  • List of covid symptoms: “According to the World Health Organisation, the most common symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, tiredness and a dry cough. Some patients may also have a runny nose, sore throat, nasal congestion and aches and pains or diarrhea. Some people report losing their sense of taste and/or smell. “ 
  • Also refer to the Government’s Covid19 symptom checker: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool/basic-details
Before coming to the Dojo:  
  • Plan to arrive early to the Dojo to participate in preparation/sanitising activities (This is not new.)
  • Check your body temperature that it is normal – about 36.5–37.5 °C , and you do not have covid symptoms
  • It is recommended that you change into your dogi (unless it’s the 1st Monday of the month when we train in normal-civilian clothes)
  • Bring your own weapons, training equipment etc
  • Bring your own drinking bottle/cup (This is not new). You can still access the Centre’s kitchen for water
  • Bring a (small) towel to wipe off sweat on the mat, training gear, etc
  • Bring your own sanitising material/gel, however, there will be sanitising stations in the Centre/Dojo
  • Bring (disposable) gloves if you wish to wear them
  • Bring (disposable) face mask(s) and wear it/them while on the mat
Before getting on the mat (to train):
  1. Sanitise the mats and common contact points including hall chairs, door handles, etc
  2. If you need to change in the change room, please ensure you have 1.5m separation from other member(s) and/or a bubble of 4sq meters 
  3. Confirm with Sensei that you feel well, your body temperature is normal (about 36.5–37.5 °C) and you do not have covid symptom(s)
  4. Confirm with Sensei that you have sanitised your hands and weapons
  5. Confirm with Sensei that you have face mask(s) to wear
While training on the mat:
  1. Do wear your face mask
  2. Do sanitise your hands again on returning to the mat, if you temporarily get off the mat
  3. Do not touch your eyes/face if possible
  4. Do not sneeze/cough into open space – instead sneeze, cough into your dogi/elbow
  5. Do not share your weapon(s) or training gear unless you first sanitise it/them
  6. Do not kiai forcibly – extreme exhalation may spread the virus through airborne contamination
  7. Do not train with partner(s) unless Sensei invite you to do so – but sanitise your hands before and after training with partner(s) or wear (disposable) gloves
After training and off the mat:
  1. Sanitise the common contact points including hall chairs, door handles, etc
  2. Advise Sensei if you are not feeling well no matter the reason/symptom – this is required even before Covid19
  3. Recommended that you do not change clothing in the Dojo/Centre
  4. Leave asap please – do not cluster and socialise in the Dojo/Centre
  5. Dispose of your disposable face masks and gloves outside of the Centre – take them and your rubbish with you on leaving the Centre (This is not new.)

 

Information about: Membership and Application Form

Information about: Covid19 affecting membership applications and requests to train with AYACT

 

Darren Friend Shihan Sensei (6th dan) of Aikido Yoshinkai NSW