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Aikido terminology

Counting

Ichi one Roku six
Ni two Shichi seven
San three Hachi eight
Shi four Ku nine
Go five Ju ten

Uniform

Do gi Uniform (clothes of the way)
Obi Belt
Hakama Pant skirt, usually worn by black belt ranks

Expressions

Sensei "Teacher" - One who has gone before: A term conveying respect for the instructor.
Rei Appreciation with respect (usually refers to bowing).
Onegai shimasu "Please do me your favor". (this is when the class starts and before practicing with the Sensei or with the other class members).
Arigato gozaimashita "Thank you very much". (this is said when you finish practice with the Sensei and to other students at the end of the class).
Hai "Yes" (always the first response of the student when called by the Sensei).
Sumimasen "Excuse me" (accompanied by a standing or kneeling bow).

Posture

Seiza Basic sitting position on the knees.
Kamae Guard stance.
Hanmi The basic stances in Aikido. literally means "half body".
Ai hanmi Asymmetrical hanmi.
Gyaku hanmi Symmetrical hanmi.
Ma ai Distance between you and your partner
Mokuso Meditation

Roles

Nage The person performing a throw or technique.
Uke The person who receives Nage's movement.

Receiving

Ukemi Falling or receiving a throw or technique.
Mae ukemi Forward roll or fall.
Ushiro ukemi Backward roll or fall

Glossary

Tai jutsu Body arts (un-armed techniques)
Tenkan Turning and guiding Uke in a circular direction.
Ura Back (refers to a movement behind Uke).
Ai Harmony
Ki Energy (life force/spirit)
Kokyo Breath
Kokyo ryoku Breath power
Aiki Harmonizing with energy
Do Way (path/way or life)
Aikido The way of harmonizing with the energy of the Universe (nature)
Aikikai Aikido Association
O Sensei M. Ueshiba (founder of Aikido)
Kaiso founder
Doshu Master of the way - leader of the International Aikikai
Hombu International Aikido headquarters in Tokyo, Japan
Sensei Teacher
Dojo Training Hall
Tatami Practice mats
Dogi Training clothes (clothes of the way)
Obi Belt
Hakama Pleated pant-skirt
Zori Sandals
Hara Center (located in lower abdomen)
Tegatana hand-blade
Kuzushi Unbalancing
Shikko Knee walking
Mokuso Meditation
Rei To show appreciation and respect
Nage The person who performs a throw or technique
Uke The person who receives a throw or technique
Kamae Guard stance
Hanmi Half stance - the basic stance in Aikido
Ai hanmi Asymmetric half stance
Gyaku hanmi Symmetric half stance
Dan Black belt rank
Yudansha Person(s) holding a black belt rank
Kyu White belt rank
Ma ai Space between Nage and Uke
Ushiro Backward, behind
Mae Forward, front
Ukemi Roll, break fall
Ushiro ukemi Backward fall
Mae ukemi Forward roll
Omote Body movement behind Uke
Tai sabaki Body movement(s)
Irimi Straight entry body movement
Tenkan Turning entry body movement
Tai no henko Static tenkan exercise with a partner
Tai no tenkan Flowing tenkan exercise with a partner
Soto tenkan Outside turning movement
Uchi tenkan Inside turning movement
Kokyu dosa Suwari-waza breath exercise

Names of Aikido Attacks

Katate tori

one-handed grip on one wrist

Ryote tori

one-handed grip on each wrist

Morote tori

two-handed grip on one wrist

Ushiro ryotekubi tori

ryote-tori grip from behind

Mune tori (muna-mochi)

one-handed grip on lapel

Kata tori

one-handed grip on shoulder

Ryokata tori

one-handed grip on each shoulder

Ushiro ryokata tori

ryokata grip from behind

Sode tori

one-handed grip on one sleeve

Katate tori kubishime

one-handed grip on wrist and choke from behind

Tsuki

straight punch

homen uchi

vertical strike to the head with the hand-blade

Yokomen uchi

diagonal strike to the neck with the hand-blade

Kata tori men uchi

one-handed grip on shoulder with shomen-uchi strike

Kata tori yokomen uchi

one-handed grip on the shoulder with yokomen-uchi strike

Types of Aikido Practice

Tachi waza standing techniques
Suwari waza techniques from a kneeling position
Hanmi handachi techniques with Uke standing and Nage in kneeling position
Henka wazw variations of techniques
Renraku waza changing from one technique into another
Kaeshi waza counter techniques
Jiyu waza multiple attacks

Names of Weapons Used in Aikido

Bokken wooden sword
Jo wooden staff
Tanto knife
 

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