Aikido is a non‑competitive martial art that emphasises personal development over winning or losing. Instead of contests or tournaments, training focuses on cooperation, awareness, and refining technique with a partner. The goal is to cultivate harmony, control, and mutual respect rather than to defeat an opponent. Because of this, progress in Aikido is measured through practice, discipline, and character—not competition.
Ukemi — Learning to Fall Safely
Learning to fall is one of the most important skills in Aikido. Ukemi teaches you how to protect your body, stay relaxed under pressure, and move safely with your partner’s technique. There are several types of ukemi—back breakfalls, forward rolls, backward rolls, and high ukemi—each designed for different movements and levels of intensity. On a crowded tatami, safety always comes before style; controlled, quiet ukemi is far more valuable than a dramatic flip. Good ukemi keeps you safe, keeps your partners safe, and allows everyone to train confidently and responsibly.
Committed Attacks in Training
Aikido techniques rely on a sincere, committed attack from your partner. Without a clear, honest attack, the movement cannot be applied correctly, and both nage and uke lose the opportunity to learn. A good attack is not aggressive—it is controlled, direct, and delivered with intention so your partner can practise proper timing, distance, and technique. Training becomes meaningful only when both partners commit fully to their roles, creating safe, realistic practice that helps everyone progress.
Respect in Aikido
Respect is central to Aikido and is expressed through behaviour, awareness, and correct etiquette on and off the tatami. Students bow when entering and leaving the dojo, when stepping onto or off the tatami, and when greeting a partner or instructor—each bow is a simple acknowledgement of shared practice and mutual safety.
Training is initiated by approaching your partner, bowing, and saying onegaishimasu; at the end of practice, you bow again and thank them with arigatou gozaimashita.
Instructors are thanked formally at the close of class with a bow from seiza, recognising their guidance and the time they have given. More on this below.
Respect in Aikido is not symbolic—it is the foundation of harmony, discipline, and the spirit of the art.
The Shin Gi Tai Aikido Society prides itself on being a fun and friendly society that is welcoming to all.
Cleanliness in Aikido
Cleanliness is an essential part of Aikido etiquette. It reflects respect for the dojo, your training partners, and the art itself.
Personal Cleanliness Students should arrive with clean hands and feet, trimmed nails, and a tidy gi. Hair should be secured, jewellery removed, and any cuts covered. Good personal hygiene keeps training safe and comfortable for everyone.
Dojo Cleanliness Please ensure all water bottles, snack wrappers, and lunch rubbish are removed after training. Many of our venues are shared spaces, so leaving the dojo neat and organised is part of our responsibility as aikidoka. The tatami area should be kept clear, and any equipment returned to its proper place.
Tatami Etiquette & Footwear It is every aikidoka’s responsibility to wear zori or sandals when walking from the changing room to the tatami. These should be placed neatly along the edge of the mat before stepping on. At no point should anyone walk on the tatami with shoes or any outdoor footwear. Bare feet only on the mat—this protects the tatami and maintains hygiene for all who train.
Weapons Cleanliness Bokken, jo, and tanto should be wiped down and stored neatly. Clean, well‑kept weapons reflect a focused mind and respect for the tools of practice.
Cleanliness in Aikido is more than hygiene—it is part of the discipline, awareness, and mutual respect that define the art.
Warm‑Ups, Cool‑Downs, and Punctuality
Warm‑ups and cool‑downs are an essential part of Aikido practice. They prepare the body for training, reduce the risk of injury, and help students transition smoothly into and out of the physical and mental focus required on the tatami.
The content and structure of warm‑ups and cool‑downs are always at the discretion of the instructor leading the session. Different instructors may emphasise mobility, breathwork, ukemi conditioning, or joint preparation depending on the focus of the class.
It is vitally important to arrive on time so you can take part in the warm‑up. Missing it means your body is not properly prepared, and it disrupts the flow of the session for others. Being punctual is part of dojo etiquette and shows respect for your instructor, your training partners, and the art.
Warm‑ups and cool‑downs are not optional extras—they are part of the training itself.
Addressing Your Instructor in Aikido
In Aikido, how you address your teacher reflects respect for the art and the lineage you’re learning from.
- Sensei — This is the standard term for your instructor. It means “one who has gone before” and is used for anyone teaching you, regardless of rank. In practice, you simply say Sensei when speaking to or about your teacher.
- Shihan — A title reserved for senior instructors, recognised by the society for decades of teaching and contribution to the art. You do not call someone Shihan casually; it is used when referring to them formally or in recognition of their status within the organisation.
- Soke — This term means “head of the family/lineage” and is used for the founder or inheritor of a martial tradition. In Aikido, it refers to the head of a specific school or style. It is a title of great respect and is only used for the person who holds that position.
Together, these titles help students show proper etiquette and acknowledge the experience and responsibility carried by their instructors.
Where to Sit on the Tatami & the Order of Bowing
In Aikido, how you sit, bow, and rise on the tatami reflects respect for the dojo, your training partners, and the lineage of the art.
Seating on the Tatami Students sit in seiza or cross‑legged along the back edge of the mat, facing the shomen (please be weary of injury and if you are unable to kneel stand at the sides of the tatami and bow as normal). Senior students sit closer to the instructor’s side, with newer students toward the opposite end. This structure keeps the dojo organised and helps beginners follow the flow of class. We do not always follow this order of sitting to the letter, however, the main rule is Dan grades line up at the front Kyu grades line up behind, with Shihan on the upper most left side.
Beginning and Ending Class At the start and end of training, students line up in rank order in silence with their gi straightened neatly. When the instructor kneels, everyone follows. The bowing sequence is:
- Bow to the shomen — honouring the art and its lineage.
- Bow to the instructor — acknowledging the person guiding the session.
- Bow to each other — recognising shared learning and mutual safety.
Standing After Bowing The order of rising reflects seniority:
- Shihan rise first (these will be located on the left hand side of the tatami)
- Dan grades rise next
- Kyu grades rise last
Students remain kneeling until those above them have stood. Once the instructor is upright, everyone rises smoothly and quietly. This coordinated movement reinforces awareness, discipline, and respect within the dojo.
Chewing Gum, Chatting, and Horseplay in the Dojo
Aikido training requires focus, awareness, and respect for everyone on the tatami. Chewing gum is not permitted, as it poses a choking hazard and distracts from proper breathing and attention. Chatting during practice should be kept to a minimum (this is difficult on large courses as we are all seeing old friends, but we should persevere to keep chatting to a minimum)—students listen to instruction, train sincerely, and save casual conversation for before or after class. Horseplay, rough joking, or uncontrolled behaviour has no place in the dojo; it disrupts training and creates unnecessary risk. Maintaining a calm, disciplined atmosphere ensures safety, respect, and the right mindset for learning Aikido.