When you first visit the dojo, wear loose, comfortable clothing. Sweatpants and a t-shirt are fine. When you become a member, you should wear a dogi, (also called simply a gi), which is a training uniform consisting of a pair of drawstring pants and a belted tunic. A white cotton karate, judo, or kendo gi is acceptable. Aikido gis have shorter sleeves, which allow for wrist grabs, and padded knees for knee-fighting (Suwari Waza).
Aikido does not teach you how to fight. Aikido teaches you how to stop the fight. Aikido seeks to develop skills that are not limited by size, muscle fitness or age. The nature of training in traditional Aikido is collaborative rather than competitive, and the concept of competition is counterproductive to this process.
After your first test, you should also wear a hakama. This is a black or dark blue skirt-like pair of pants that is a traditional piece of samurai clothing. The seven pleats in the hakama represent the traditional virtues of the Bushido (the way of the warrior): benevolence, honor, courtesy, wisdom, sincerity, loyalty, and piety.
Competition is counter the philosophy of Aikido, which is not to be drawn into a fight mentally or physically. You train to keep your mind calm and free of conflict. You train the body to respond to aggression by blending with the hostile energy and combining it with your body's own dynamic power into techniques that will bring the conflict to an end without the necessity of meeting force with force.
Feel free to practice as often as you wish. The classes are not scheduled in such a way that you will be lost in one class if you missed the class previous. You will be learning and developing skills at your own rate. However, a minimum of two practices per week is advised in order to realize improvement.
The first level of black belt, Shodan, can be awarded by a fifth dan or higher with Saotome Shihan's permission. Generally, at the second degree, Nidan, and above, Saotome Shihan or Ikeda Shihan bestow promotions.
Traditionally, white belts are worn by those who are kyu-ranked (mudansha), and black belts are worn by by dan-ranked (yudansha). Some dojos have adapted Aikido to an American audience and offer colored belts to represent the kyu ranks; however the Louisville Aikikai follows the traditional practices of ASU dojos.
In Aikido, there are 6 ranks below black belt. These ranks are called kyu ranks. Ranks are achieved by examination. Eligibility for examination depends primarily (though not exclusively) upon accumulation of practice hours. Other relevant factors may include a trainee's attitude with respect to others, and regularity of attendance.
There are ten levels (dan) of black belt awarded, however the tenth level dan designation has not been bestowed since O Sensei’s passing. Generally, the kyu ranks are awarded within one's dojo by the tester's Sensei.
How fast you progress in Aikido will depend upon your personal dedication and level of interest. However, as the highest-ranking dans will admit, mastery of aikido is a goal that will challenge you for your entire life.
