Customer Reviews

The Aikido Student Handbook: A Guide to the Philosophy, Spirit, Etiquette and Training Methods of Aikido

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was hesitant to purchase this book but am SO glad I did. I've been a martial artist for some time now and just recently began aikido. This book is a wonderful resource for newcomers, as it includes philosophy and etiquette and ways you can begin working on fitting in to your new dojo. Even how to SELECT the right dojo for you. Anyone interested in aikido, you need this book at the beginning of your training.

This little book has been amazingly useful. I am the instructor of an aikido dojo and I have made extensive use of this book. I give a copy to interested people who come to watch a class to thumb through while we are doing warmups or repetitive exercises (I find it really piques their interest and when I ask if they have questions after class, they have fewer and the questions are less basic and more insightful after having skimmed this. It answers some of the questions new people don't even know enough to know they SHOULD be asking. I also use one as part of the introductory package for starting up with us - at $10, you can't go wrong. Aikido technique can only be learned on the mat, and this IS NOT A TECHNIQUE MANUAL (nor was it ever intended to be). New students need some of the why's, etiquette and terminology and philosophy in concise, understandable form - that's what makes this a great guidebook. Great job! Instructors, try giving all your new students a copy of this book the day they leave from their first class - I believe it will pay for itself in increased student retention.

This book is for people who are considering taking aikido lessons. It gives you details on what to expect when you go to the dojo. This book doesn't teach technique at all.

This is a great introduction BEFORE you enter the dojo to train. It is just what it says, a handbook. This book is a great guide for the beginning Aikido practitioner or for someone who is still investigating. It gives practical advice about how to find the right place to begin practice and what to expect once you begin practice. For more on Aikido see Greg O'Connor's second book.

A good book, with an interesting point of view, but included information is very basic. If you are looking for technical content, it ain't here...

If you are a beginner (in the first few months) this is a great book. Not just an eye-level, unconvoluted, unpretentious introduction to the philosophy and aims of aikido, but also deals with some of those universal questions of most beginners- like how to approach practicing with veterans. Nice, pleasant read, which will only increase your enthusiasm.

This book proved to be a great intro to Aikido and martial arts in general (especially Japanese ones). It included discussions on practical Aikido, weapon forms, dojo edicate, everything (and it was the only one I have found that came straight out and said how long it takes to become a black belt - 5 years). But, if have already taken martial arts and know something about it, this book might be a little basic for your needs.

When I started Aikido I bought The Aikido Student Handbook. It's been a great help on some of the questions I didn't know I had. ;) The Aikido Student Handbook helps you ask the right questions.

As a beginner in Aikido, I found the book helpful in demystifying some of the etiquette and language, as well as providing a good backround on the sport and some of the philosopy. I would recommend it to any beginner and expect that it will remain on the bookshelf as a reference to many of the terms used in Aikido.

I rate this book a 10 simply because it does an excellent job accomplishing what it sets out to do - acclimate a new or prospective student to the art of Aikido.

As a new student, I had (and still have) a lot of questions about what it means to practice Aikido. Mr. O'Connor's book helped make the list of these questions a great deal smaller by giving comprehensive detail to the expectations of a new student, as well as the expectations that student should have of his/her new dojo.

Nothing compares with having a sense of comfort when beginning training anything new -- especially something that has the potential to intimidate like a martial art. Mr. O'Conner has helped to instill this sense of peace in me through his book, and I am extremely grateful for that.

One word of caution, however, on a procedure that still remains elusive to me...

There is no help forthcoming on how to tie your obi (belt), so you still must ask a senior... (again, and again, and again...) :-)