Video of instruction from our beginner sessions illuminates the central elements of basic aikido techniques. These core techniques frequently appear in classes of every level; no aikido technique is considered "beginner." While it is helpful to begin aikido during one of our beginner sessions, it is not necessary. Training with more experienced members of the dojo is essential to your own advancement, and while video can be helpful in the study of technique, the only way to learn is by doing.

MOROTETORI Karl explains the steps in morotetori. This is the first part of a morotetori technique where nage draws out an attack by uke: a grab with two hands on one. The second part of the technique would involve a throw by nage such as a kokyunage throw.
MOROTETORI KOKYUHO In this video, Karl details the steps in morotetori (a grab of two hands on one) kokyuho (breath throw).
KATATETORI SHIHONAGE Bill deomonstrates the basics behind this technique.
KATATETORI IRIMINAGE Bill deomonstrates the basics behind this technique.
TSUKI IRIMINAGE Bill deomonstrates the basics behind this technique.

VIDEO FROM EXAMINATIONS

The following video clips are a sampling of examinations at Monadnock Aikikai in recent years. Examinations usually contain several sections covering seated techniques, standing techniques, disarming techniques, and freestyle with multiple opponents. The video clips below have been excerpted from various tests and show a variety of these sections.

SHODAN TRAINING Bill (nage) and Steve (uke) execute the techniques called out by the instructor in this practice session.
RANDORI Randori is a freestyle section of an examination usually included in 2nd kyu, 1st kyu, and dan grade examinations. This is the randori section from Steve's 1st kyu exam.
WEAPONS Tantotori (knife techniques), jotori (staff techniques), and tachitori (sword techniques), are usually included in 1st kyu, and dan examinations. This is the weapons section from Amy's 1st kyu exam.
HANMI-HANDACHI Like Suwari-waza, handmi-handachi techniques are executed from a seated position, but in this case only nage is seated; uke attacks from a standing position. Hanmi-handachi provides a less-mobile, and more vulnerable perspective for the study of basic aikido techniques. This clip is from Amy's 1st kyu exam. Tom provides ukemi.
TACHI-WAZA Tachi-waza are standing techniques, and comprise the majority of techniques and training in aikido. This video clip shows the tachi-waza section of Aubrey's 2nd kyu exam. Steve provides ukemi for the exam.
TACHI-WAZA This clip shows the tachi-waza and randori sections from Jon's 2nd kyu exam.
TACHI-WAZA This clip shows the tachi-waza section from Terry's 3rd kyu exam.
TACHI-WAZA This clip shows the tachi-waza section from Kirt's 3rd kyu exam.
SUWARI-WAZA Suwari-waza, or seated techniques, are common in 4th-kyu-and-above exams. They are based on seiza, the formal style of sitting in Japanese culture. They themselves are techniques for studying the movements underlying their standing counterparts. This clip was taken during John's 4th kyu exam.
SUWARI-WAZA Suwari-waza, techniques are based on seiza, the formal style of sitting in Japanese culture. Suwari-waza is itself a technique for studying the movement behind the basic standing techniques. Suwari-waza are usually included in exams from 4th kyu and above. This video clip shows the suwari-waza section of Dan's 4th kyu exam.
TACHI-WAZA Chris's 5th kyu exam is comprised of tachi-waza (standing) techniques. These are the core aikido techniques, and they reflect a foundation of movements that contain elements of sword, staff, and knife defenses. Aikido techniques have a component of weapons training that is integrated into the study of the basic techniques. In this clip, John provides ukemi.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS IN THE VIDEO CAPTIONS

DOJO training hall
HANMI-HANDACHI uke standing, nage sitting
KAMIZA honorary place in the dojo
NAGE one who leads or throws
O-SENSEI great teacher, referring to Morihei Ueshiba the founder of aikido
RANDORI - freestyle with multiple attackers
SUWARI-WAZA seated (floor) technique
TACHI-WAZA standing technique
UKE one who is lead or thrown

NAMES OF AIKIDO LEVELS

KYU - grades in aikido (5th - beginner to 1st - advanced) prior to receiving a black belt or dan grade
DAN - grades of black belt (eg. shodan - 1st-degree black belt; nidan - 2nd-degree black belt)