Griffith Shukan News

Thursday, 30^th April 2009

CONTENTS:

1. Safety In The Dojo

2. Dojo Hygiene

3. New Club Librarian

1. Safety In The Dojo

Danny Sensei led the class in a discussion on safety a couple of weeks ago. The class came up with a variety of ways that we could injure ourselves while practicing Aikido - ranging from the painful to the slightly humorous. Danny wrapped up the session with a comparison of western and traditional ways of training, which was very interesting from a cultural perspective. I have written up the session contents to the best of my ability, for those who weren't there. Might even be useful for revision every now and then.

cheers,
Mark

Safety in the Dojo

by Mark Hoffmann from dojo discussion lead by Daniel James

Aikido is a martial art. The origins of these arts are on the battlefields of ancient Japan. Aikido itself is a recent synthesis developed by O Sensei, to enable practitioners to defend from various attacks including open hand, knife, staff and sword. As a martial art, physical contact is full contact and thus should be controlled, flowing and in the spirit of training in the dojo.

Types of likely injuries

Despite the intent of Aikido Yushinkai to promote the gentle, fluid style, injuries can happen. There are three possible ways to be injured in the dojo during training. These are:

〡 injuries sustained through your own actions (solo);

〢 injuries sustained when training with a partner (pairs); and

〣 injuries sustained due to the class environment (class).

The following injuries were suggested during discussions involving the whole dojo.

Solo

There are many ways to injure ourselves in the dojo. These may be due to inaction, inattention or lack of focus on the task. Some of the most common types of self sustained injuries are caused by:

• practising above your level – attempting techniques, rolls, falls that your body and mind are not yet prepared for;

• stubbing your toes on the mat;

• rolling & break-falls, which are always a challenge and even the most advanced student of aikido cannot be complacent;

• carpet burn;

• rolling or spraining ankles;

• dizziness, especially from repeated rolls; and

• accidentally striking yourself when using the weapons.

Pairs

When practising with a partner (uke-nage), additional factors can affect each individual’s safety. These include:

• weapons, which extend the attacking range therefore pairs must be more aware;

• throws, either by: uke or nage holding on too long; or nage attempting a throw that is too advanced for uke;

• long nails become very dangerous at close quarters, especially around the face;

• jewellery, similarly to nails, can pose a threat;

• infectious diseases and lack of personal hygiene;

• joint locks, either by nage applying too much strength or uke providing too much resistance;

• surroundings within the dojo can present obstacles to the training pair;

• hakamas, especially when newly acquired, can become entangled in training partners;

• unpreparedness, for example when nage is not ready for the attack; and

• excessive beginner enthusiasm, resulting in rushed movement.

Class

Training in a class in the dojo involves a large number of people, with levels of Aikido experience ranging from beginners through all grades to San-Dan and above. This scenario presents additional complexity and safety considerations for which we all share responsibility. Most common safety concerns include:

• collisions between participants and observers, especially when one or both parties are performing ukemi. Specific variations include:

  • uke-uke collisions, where two uke are thrown into each other;

  • uke-nage collision, where an uke is thrown towards another unsuspecting nage, or where uke accidentally kicks their nage during ukemi;

  • nage-nage collisions, where two nages are too focussed on their own moves rather than their surroundings; and

  • spectator collisions, usually where non-participants wander onto the training area.

• crowding around the practice area increases the likelihood of collision;

• walls, poles and other dojo obstacles create physical limits to training and become a greater issue as the number of people in the dojo increases;

• stepping on others;

• not stopping when Sensei calls “yame”, or when some people continue their move after others have stopped;

• lack of awareness of other people using the mat and of changing conditions within the dojo; and

• weapons, with extra space requirements.

Feelings experienced

People injured, involved in an incident when someone is injured, and the instructors, all experience a range of feelings, that can be both externally obvious and hidden. The following table is a summary of feelings volunteered by Aikido students and instructors.

Emotions experienced when injured during training.	Emotions experienced when involved in someone else’s injury.	Emotions experienced when being the instructor, an assistant or a helper and someone is injured.
sadness frustrated embarrassed hurt distressed blame aggression retaliate denial unaware of self harm resentment anxiousness	guilt upset deeply responsible crying defensive denial of wrongdoing overbearing or over compensating to “make up” for causing hurt	responsible frustration guilt inadequacy drawn in to the incident reducing awareness of the other students sick feeling

These feelings can be negative and can reflect unhappiness due to the injury; to blaming the training partner, instructor or dojo; through to anger. People may also try to cover up their injury due to embarrassment or a feeling of inadequacy. This behaviour results in information not being conveyed about how the injury took place and how it could be avoided in the future.

Treatment of Safety

As an Aikido club in Australia, there are two ways that the issue of safety can be addressed – the traditional and the “western” ways.

Budo Way (Eastern)

Aikido originates from the battlefield arts practised in Japan. The traditional manner of training is hierarchical, steeped in the feudal form of society of pre-modern Japan. Basic tenets of this system are that one does not question; students follow the example set, do the technique, and discover the inner reason after repeated practice. This can be summarised as “do what sensei says”. Also important to remember is that there is only ever one sensei in the dojo at any time – all other seniors are either: assistants, helpers or students.

Coming from the battlefield, it is always important to be aware of your surroundings; you would not expect to be carrying on a casual conversation on the battlefield and nor should you in the dojo. There are no spectators on a battlefield or in the dojo.

In Aikido Yushinkai, many of the moves have been adapted for safe training, and focus is on the flow rather than the conflict. It is inappropriate to modify what sensei is doing or do something else. Uncontrolled physical contact has no place in the dojo. We practise “Aiki”, not “Aggro”. Aggression in the dojo could manifest either by the nage using too much force, or by uke presenting too much resistance or refusal to yield to nage. Being aware of your own behaviour can reduce the likelihood of injuring yourself or others.

Through budo, there are a number of concepts that define the roles of students.

• uke – receives the technique, gives energy to nage to enable them to practise the technique. Being an uke does not mean to be outdone, beaten, defeated, etc. Being an uke is to give your body to another so that they can learn.

• nage – performs the technique, and has the responsibility of looking after uke. Nage must ensure that they do not perform techniques that are beyond uke’s ability. Nage must also make sure that uke does not get thrown into other people or obstacles.

• sempai (older sibling) – when practising in pairs or groups, the highest graded student is the sempai. Sempai sets a good example, shows responsibility, and has greater knowledge. Sempai is based on experience, not chronological age. However, this is not an opportunity to be an extra sensei (see above).

• kohai (younger sibling) – lower graded students are kohai. They should be helpful and listen respectfully to sempai, however should not expect a lecture from their training partner.

On and off the mat, sempai should set a good example.

Other ways that the club works to reduce injuries are to focus on kihon (basics) and ukemi (rolling) as part of warm ups. Students must be aware of their own skills and experience, and not rely on sensei modifying techniques to suit individuals. Students can elect to sit and observe techniques they feel are beyond their ability; and are encouraged to review the basic forms to consolidate learning.

Aikido practice involves being nade and uke. Your development as an aikido student involves learning technique and advancing your receiving skills (ukemi).

Club Way (Western)

The most profound difference between Western philosophy to the budo way is the focus on enquiry rather than inner realisation. Whereas in budo, students follow sensei without question and learn through experience, in Western countries students question continually, ask “why?” and “prove it works” rather than just accepting. This is normal; many go through a questioning stage and resist technique because the want to know it works. However if it goes on for a long time, it actually slows the learning process.

In a martial arts club, following the budo way inside the dojo results in the safest training environment, as sensei can be assured that all students are practising the same moves. If students were to decide to practise differently to what sensei instructed, the possibility of collision increases. Sensei makes decisions on what is best; try not to be offended!

As an incorporated club in Australia, Griffith Aikido has specific requirements, including legal, social and financial, which reflect the Western way. Some of these, which are used to mitigate safety issues, are:

• The club has a code of conduct – which all students agree to when entering the dojo. The code of conduct is posted on the club noticeboard, and requires that students show respect to others, maintain personal hygiene, cover sores, do not train if unwell, and follow all of sensei’s instructions.

• Students must sign a disclaimer – which affects students’ legal rights. All students should be aware that they are responsible for their own behaviours, and must not enter the dojo with an intent to injure fellow students.

• The club has an incident report form – to enable continuous improvement of practices. All students involved in a safety incident should report the incident to sensei, who should record the incident using the report form.

• The club, instructors and the executive committee have a range of requisite insurances.

• The club has a range of policies and procedures – to direct members in the operation of the dojo and to enhance safety.

• The club uses a structured teaching philosophy, enabling students to progress from beginner classes through the junior grades at their own pace to senior and Dan grades.

Questions

What if someone is too aggressive?

Students can choose not to train with people they do not feel comfortable with. Sensei needs to be aware of people using inappropriate force. Individuals must monitor their own aggression and come to class with a motive to learn and help others.

What if people are walking across a mat during training?

Everyone is responsible for safety. If people enter the mat space where you train, respectfully ask them to leave. Sempai should be aware and advise people not to walk across the mat.

What if the technique is too hard?

Students need to be aware of their own abilities and not attempt techniques that are above their range. If the technique is too advanced for you, respectfully sit aside and observe for future training.

Do senior students have a problem with training with junior students?

Senior students should not have a problem with being the sempai of a junior student. This gives them an opportunity to reflect on the basic form of the technique, and also to present a good example to others. Senior students also have their own classes and teninzugaki time, when they can ‘play’ with other seniors.

2. Dojo Hygiene

Hi Everyone,

With all of the media talking about the spread of some new strains of Flu this year it's a timely reminder that we have a responsibility to each others' health when training in the dojo. Please ensure you wash your hands and arms both before and after class - this is a mechanism of disease transmission between training partners. Sometimes also we maybe have a slight cold but feel well enough to train. Please resist the urge to train when unwell both for your own well being and also to avoid 'sharing' with others.

kind regards,

danny

3. New Club Librarian

As some of you may be aware we have a club library which has an extensive range of Aikido books and DVD's. The library is available to members 5th Kyu and above. Please come and see me if you would like to borrow anything.

Narelle Campbell

New Club Librarian

Shirin Mohebbi

Griffith Aikido Newsletter Editor

Email: shirin(AT)internode.on.net