How This Book Is Organized and How to Read It

This book covers, in order, what a beginner needs from the moment they first step into the dojo until they prepare for their first examination.

• Chapter 1, Starting Aikido, introduces the meaning and history of aikido, proper training wear, and etiquette.
• Chapter 2, Basic Movements, covers how to stand and sit, stance, body movement, and ukemi (breakfalls). This is the foundation of every technique, so be sure to learn it before you move on to techniques.
• Chapter 3, Solo and Partner Exercises, teaches footwork, grabs, and strikes practiced alone, body movement practiced with a partner, and wrist conditioning exercises (tekubi kansetsu tanren-ho, 手首関節鍛錬法).
• Chapter 4, Basic Techniques, and Chapter 5, Applied Techniques, explain the representative techniques of the beginner’s course step by step, with photographs.
• Chapter 6, Training and Examinations, explains the kyu and dan system, how to prepare for examinations, and how to keep training steadily.
• The Glossary at the end of the book lists the Japanese terms you will often hear in training.

You can read the book from beginning to end, or open the relevant chapter when you review a technique you learned at the dojo. Keep in mind, though, that this book is only a guide to support your training at the dojo; it cannot replace it. Whatever you understand from the book, be sure to confirm it with your body, at the dojo, together with your instructor.