Tenzan Aikido

Student Guide 🥋

A reference for new and continuing students. Common terms you’ll hear on the mat, how we practice together in the dojo, and how to tie your belt.

Glossary

Common Japanese terms you’ll hear in class. Pronunciations are approximate.

Aihanmi 相半身 あいはんみ I-hawn-me
Mutual stance when both partners have the same foot advanced.
Dojo 道場 どうじょう Doe Joe
Training hall and/or where a “Way” is practiced.
Gyaku-Hanmi 逆半身 ぎゃくはんみ Gee-awe-Q-Hawn-me
Reverse stance when both partners have opposite feet advanced.
Hanmi 半身 はんみ Hawn-me
Half open stance with feet placed triangularly. The front foot facing forward and the back foot perpendicular to the front. It is the basic aikido stance.
Katatedori 片手取り かたてどり Ka-ta-tay-doore
One hand grab to the wrist.
Katadori 肩取り かたどり Ka-ta-door-e
One hand grab to the collar or gi shoulder.
Morotedori 諸手取り もろてどり Mo-row-tay-door-e
Two hands grab on one.
Ma-ai 間合い まあい Mow-I
Proper distance between two partners. It varies depending on the height and length of your partner, and whether one or both of you has weapons.
Nage / Tori 投げ なげ / 取り とり Nah-gay / Toh-ree
Person who defends, resolves, and/or brings harmony.
Omote 表 おもて O-motay
Forward movement or moving in front of your uke.
Ryotedori 両手取り りょうてどり Riotay-door-e
Both wrists grabbed from the front.
Shomenuchi 正面打ち しょうめんうち Show-men-oochee
Strike to the forehead.
Seiza 正座 せいざ Say-zah
Correct and calm sitting. Kneeling and sitting on your heels.
Sensei 先生 せんせい Sen-say
Teacher / master — a title identifying one as an instructor.
Shikko 膝行 しっこう She-ko
Knee walking.
Shoshin 初心 しょしん
Beginner’s Mind. “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert there are few.”
Tanden 丹田 たんでん Tawn-den
Your center, just below your belly button.
Uke 受け うけ Oo-kay
Person who attacks, confronts, or brings chaos.
Ukemi 受身 うけみ Oo-kem-ee
The act of taking a controlled fall. It includes forward rolls, backward rolls, and breakfalls.
Ura 裏 うら Oo-rah
Moving behind your uke.
Yokomenuchi 横面打ち よこめんうち Yo-ko-men-oo-chee
Strike to the temple / side of the head.
Zanshin 残心 ざんしん Zawn-sheen
Unbroken concentration and follow-through of a technique. Like swinging a baseball bat and staying connected to the ball as it flies away.

Dojo Etiquette

The word dojo 道場（どうじょう）itself sets the tone: Do 道（どう）means “path” or “way,” and Jo 場（じょう）means “place to practice.” A few simple habits help us keep this a welcoming place for everyone who trains here.

  • No shoes

    No shoes or socks on the mat, and no shoes past the no-shoes line. It has to do with keeping a clean, pure place to practice.

  • On-time

    Give yourself adequate time to prepare for class. This shows respect for your teacher and fellow participants by demonstrating that their time is as valuable as yours.

  • Courtesy & respect

    Show courtesy and respect to your fellow students. Remember, you couldn’t practice aikido if it wasn’t for them.

  • Focus

    Pay attention to the teacher and your fellow students. Staying focused on the here and now is essential to your growth in aikido and in life.

  • Open mind

    Most of all, we ask that you have the eyes of a beginner — always willing to learn and look at all situations with a fresh perspective. This is sometimes called “Beginner’s Mind.”

Tying Your Belt

A quick step-by-step for getting dressed before class.

  1. Find the center of your belt by folding it in half.
  2. Place the center on your tanden, just below your belly button. Wrap the belt around your waist, switch hands in the back, and bring both ends back around to the front.
  3. Make an X with the belt over your tanden.
  4. Take the top of the X and loop it underneath both belts.
  5. Bring the looped end down and over the front, making another X.
  6. Take the top of the X and loop it through the hole.
  7. Give both ends a good tug — to your sides and up-and-down toward your head and feet.
  8. You’re done. Good job!