Advice on Aikido Dojo

Discussion in 'Aikido' started by Unmei, Dec 24, 2013.

  1. Unmei

    Unmei New Member

    Hello everyone! 1st post on the site and am looking very forward to training.

    Read thru some older posts and am looking for a dojo that trains very similar to Koyo's (R.I.P.) practice. I am looking for the spiritual - do not harm - it's a way of life - aspect; but mostly want real-world application. I do everything I can to avoid fights; but have the mentality to do what it takes to protect/win.

    There are a few options within Abu Dhabi and was wondering if anyone on this site would recommend them for what I am looking to get out of it. ( I have yet to visit a dojo - was going to that after the holidays)

    There are two Aikido training facilities in Abu Dhabi that I am aware of. One is http://abudhabiaikido.com/AikidoInUAE.html taught by Charaf Eldin Nafia (5th Dan Aikido, 4th Dan Aiki-jutsu), Hassan Al hossani (2 Dan Aikido 1 Dan Aiki-Jutsu) , and Mansoor AL Marzouqi (unsure on training/background)

    Second is http://www.abudhabi-aikido.com/ which is taught by Jihad Francis.

    No training/background posted on site. Only background info posted is that he has practiced Aikido since '97 and in 2003 started training in Abu Dhabi.

    So without having stepped foot in the dojo and analyzed - The first link seems to be the best option provided they have the most info posted.

    There are other options in Dubai - but that is not practical as it is over an hour drive each way.
     
  2. embra

    embra Valued Member

    Go to both, and keep going to both. Join both organisations. Make it clear you are not interested in Politics/differences etc. Form a basic opinion/preference within a year of going to both.

    The former looks more martial and experienced. There is a randori vid there where some of the techniques look slightly odd (attack from the back with no/little front guard), but generally spirited - which is good. Randori/jui-waza is difficult to do everything cleanly and requires a bit of improvisation.

    What the basic techniques, principles and training are like is much, much more important.

    Can't say for the 2nd one. The fellow has been training since 2003, so I would expect less experienced, but it could be absolutely fine. Looking more closely into the site, he has technical direction from a respected lineage, including Christian Tissier, who is one of the most respected Aikidokas in the world - so it is unlikely to be poor quality.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yW-bCmsMw0"]Christian Tissier Aikido Bercy 2004 - YouTube[/ame]

    Just to note:- I don't train Aikido now for quite some time, so my comments are not authoritative.
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2013
  3. Unmei

    Unmei New Member

    Many thanks Embra! The sticky post about Koyo's book was very insightful and I learned further what type of training I wish to acquire. I don't know if I can find an old-school "hard-core" dojo that will provide the type of training that Koyo and some others on this site endured - but your recommendation was well-received! :)
     
  4. ACAnton

    ACAnton New Member

    I have become interested in aikido and am too looking for a dojo to give it a bash. here's where it gets annoying. I've become aware of Koyo from reading about Aikido on the internet, unbelievably, I live within walking distance of the dojo he set up, in fact it was one of his students that stopped me on the street and said "have you ever tried aikido, and gave me a flier." which got me thinking I might like to try a martial art.

    this is where it gets annoying, I don't think I can in my current job attend that dojo, i work out of town on shifts and have no chance of making one night and the other night would be hit or miss. (I could maybe, but would one night be enough)

    there are quite a few other dojos, I've noticed rather a lot of people from Glasgow post on this site. any advice? could I maybe attend two different ones?
     
  5. dentoiwamaryu

    dentoiwamaryu Valued Member

    I cant recommend this guy enough.. to me he is the best in Scotland but that's just me. if you can ever make it through to the East your welcome to come along and try

    http://www.aikidoglasgow.com/


    You can go to as many as you like, the problem being is some styles are completely different to others to the point they use completely different principles and body/foot movements. So for a beginner it can be hard enough to drill one schools basics into your body which takes years anyway but to then have to remember 2 can be impossible depending on time availability
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2014
  6. ACAnton

    ACAnton New Member

    thanks, actually, perhaps a more useful question I should ask is what sort of training committment should I look to make?

    obviously I'm just going to start at once a week, if you can actually make decent progression at that when I'm totally fine with that, I just wondered if I ended up becoming a little more serious whether I would be required to jump up to 2 classes a week. (though maybe in truth instead of trying to plan everything I should cross that bridge when I come to it, there's every possibility that aikido won't be for me.

    anyway, that link you provided they only train once a week. is the instructor mainly based out of Edinburgh? Actually, tonight would be impossible, but if I'm free next week I might see if it's possible to get down to the glasgow one next week and have a look at what you guys do. can't see me travelling to edinburgh once a week mind. cheers.
     
  7. dentoiwamaryu

    dentoiwamaryu Valued Member

    Ye he only runs his Dojo on Tuesdays just now and trains with me on a Wed, the commitment questions is difficult, end of the day you can only do what you have time for so once a week is better than none. if you can only do once a week is imperative that you try to practice at home too otherwise when you return each week you are going to feel like your starting at the bottom each time, at least for a while.

    The most important thing to learn and study is Hanmi, hanmi, hanmi, standing in hanmi and moving\turning in Hanmi. Everything in Aikido starts and ends with Hanmi. Go to what ever classes you can until you know what suits you.
     
  8. Chris Banks

    Chris Banks Valued Member

    Why don't you go and try them all and see what you prefer. As for the commitment....worry about that later. Just turn up and train.

    Cheers,

    Chris.
     

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