Beginning the study of Suenaka Aikido introduces many new concepts related to the various states of the mind, body, and spirit of the practitioner.  While the ultimate understanding for anyone lies in experiencing it directly as a student, we offer you an overview of our training.

We teach a "street effective" method of self-defense that is powerfully dynamic and efficient.  Though our focus may be on the martial applications of Aikido as a method of self-defense, we integrate the spiritual aspects of the loving protection of all things, along with the philosophical teachings of Suenaka Sensei in our daily training.  As we have previously mentioned Aikido does not rely on muscular strength or force (chi-kara).  It  is form of budo ideally suited for students of all skill and physical fitness levels.  Through practice and repetition, out students are taught practical techniques that are tried and tested. 

From the very start of embarking on a path of Aikido study, our students begin learning the basics of body movement; getting out of the way of an attack, blending with the negative energy of an attacker, and using the attacker’s momentum against them by taking their balance (kazushi), while directing them along a path where they are already heading, utilizing different joint locks and dynamic throws that result in neutralizing the attack. 

Learning to ‘fall properly’ (ukemi) is another form of self-defense which is vital to Aikido training.  Students are introduced to the Art of Ukemi with their first class.  As students progress, they continually build on their knowledge of ‘controlling the first move’ (shodo-o-seisu), of evasion, ‘blending’ (tai-no-henko), nage waza (throwing techniques), various joint locks, submissions (tatami-waza), hip throws (koshi-nages), kick defenses, choking techniques (shime-waza), combinations, and multiple attackers referred to as rondori (free style practice with two or more attackers).  Unlike other martial disciplines, aikido students begin learning the fundamental basics of working with weapons from the onset of their study which include the Jo (wooden staff) and Bokken (wooden sword). 

The preceding is a mere glimpse through the window of our Richmond Virginia dojo.  The multi-faceted aspects of Aikido training may only be fully appreciated by an up-close and personal experience.

It is important for a new student to understand that woven within the very fabric of our training is the use of Japanese terms for all elements of our martial arts study.  There are some who may feel this is not necessary because we are a Western culture.  However, Aikido is steeped in Japanese tradition, etiquette and form.  Accordingly, areas such as Aikido History, Vocabulary, Philosophy, Aiki Principles, and our own organizational lineage to name several, are integrated in our training curriculum.  

New students receive a Beginner’s Handbook along with other reference materials upon becoming a member of our dojo family.  These materials will be used as an ongoing resource for the student to review and learn while studying Suenaka-Ha Tetsugaku Ho Aikido. 

The study of Suenaka Style Aikido can be a rewarding life-long personal journey of self-discovery, with each student designing his or her own individual path of personal

Our Dojo’s Basic Conventions of Renshu (To Train; To Practice)

Students are NOT compelled to perform any training activity with which they feel uncomfortable. They are granted the opportunity to participate according to their own level of proficiency and physical conditioning without fear of feeling inadequate. We are dedicated in our approach with providing an enjoyable yet disciplined atmosphere of study that supports and encourages the very best from each of our students.  Anything lesser would be contradictory to the spirit of aikido training.

Safety within any dojo should be a high priority of concern at all times regardless of activity. Injuries that result from careless and negligent instructors can be devastating to any martial program because such incidents detrimentally impact the physical and spiritual well-being of a dojo family. Though we train at Suenaka-Ha Richmond with varying degrees of intensity, the physical SAFETY of our dojo family and visitors comes first.  Having said this, it should be clearly understood the pursuit of studying any martial art -- whether it may be aikido, karate, Muay Thai, jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Wu-Shu or other form athletic program, has inherent risks associated with one’s participation.  No one is immune from the potential of sustaining an injury.

Regardless of one’s prior martial experience or the reasons for choosing to study Suenaka Aikido, our teaching concentrates on developing within every student, a comprehensive understanding of the Basic Principles along with the Essential Elements of Waza. We continually work on the Basics.  Only by seeking to refine our understanding of these basics - which never change, can a student fully appreciate the subtle nuances and effectiveness of Suenaka Aikido.

Now that you have some idea as to the components of our training, we offer you a sample class agenda: 

Typical Class Agenda

Warm-ups

Every class begins with stretching and flexibility following the start of class.

Taiso (Body Exercises)

‘Ki no Taiso’ are a series of body exercises performed during every class. These exercises are the essential building blocks of our martial techniques (waza), specifically designed to teach proper posture and movement while coordinating our mind and bodies.

Ukemi (Protected & Controlled Falling)

Aikido training requires a student to learn how to fall properly. The ability to fall with correct form is not only essential to personal self-defense, but is necessary to be able to ‘receive’ a technique properly during training. Learning to fall properly, whether on the mat or out on the street provides us the ability to protect ourselves. New students are introduced to basic falling with the start of their first class.

The art of falling requires diligent study by taking it one class at a time. No one expects a new student to tumble like someone who’s been doing it for years. As Sensei Suenaka says “It takes time to ‘round off’ our ‘square edges’.

Jo and Bokken (Weapon Training)

Each class usually consists of some type of Jo (wooden staff) or Bokken (wooden sword) work.  It may include one or more of our various katas.

Learning Waza (Martial Techniques)

Following Warm-ups, Ki no Taiso, Ukemi Undo, and Jo Kata, comes learning the martial techniques. 

Some consider Aikido to be the most sophisticated martial art in existence because of its many facets.  Because of its very nature with being a source of unlimited learning, it is impossible to cover every element during any one class.  Therefore, our class agendas are structured based on the collective need of our students with each session building on the preceding class.  Each class usually has a theme; blending, movement, controlling, entering, balance, and execution to name several, and is integrated with some or all of our Basic Techniques.  This is accomplished by working with partners, in a round-robin setting, or rondori setting. 

Aside from Tachi-Waza (standing techniques), classes will include one or more of the following areas of training as it relates to the agenda planned by the instructor:  Suwari-Waza, Hanmi-Handachi, Jo Tori, Jo or Bokken Waza, Koshi-Nages, Shime-Waza, Two-Man Attacks, Optionals, Tatami-Waza, Kick Defenses, Tanto-Waza, Tepo-Waza, and Kaeshi-Waza.  For the benefit of the reader, the aforementioned is not an all inclusive listing.

Each of these areas of training enhances and further develops our comprehension of our martial techniques.  The principles and elements required for executing a particular throw in Tachi-Waza, equally applies when performing the same throw from a seated position (Suwari-Waza).  The basics and essential elements of waza never change.  This is our emphasis on training.  

Rondori (Free-Style Practice with Two or More Attackers)

Every class concludes with some form of rondori practice.  The purpose of free-style practice is multi-fold; to work on whatever elements or principles were the focus during class and to condition our minds and body to react instinctively with efficiency.  The intensity of rondori is gauged according to the skill level of the student.  This form of training is our students’ favorite part of class. 

Kaizen (Continuous Improvement)

"Kaizen" is a Japanese philosophy that emphasizes continuous improvement throughout all aspects of life.  Though it is generally a principle applied to the work environment, with its focus concentrated on improving all functions of a business operation, it can be equally applied to the study of Suenaka Aikido.  The underlying principle of Kaizen focuses on eliminating waste.  Our study of aikido as it relates to the martial aspects of self-defense, concentrates on the never ending quest of refining the basics and developing greater efficiency with movement and execution.  These can only be accomplished with time, patience, repetition, a committed attitude of sincerity toward learning, and the most important ingredient – a dojo that nurtures the individual with encouragement and support.  After-all, we are truly family at Suenaka-Ha Richmond.

As we close this page, it is important to mention that you will find a very similar training environment and class structure at our sister dojo location at Aikido of Suenaka-Ha Ashland, Shihan Legions, Chief Instructor, and Senseis Mark Combs and Larry Combs, Senior Instructors.

Stop by either location for a warm welcome and personal introduction to Suenaka-Ha Tetsugaku Ho Aikido in Central Virginia.