Safety

One of the most important concerns for beginners is safety. After a few years, safe practice becomes automatic, but beginners are most in danger of injuring themselves and others.

Some good ideas for safe practice:

• • Watch your instructor and listen carefully to his or her instructions.

  • Work with your partners, not against them.

  • Inform your instructor and your practice partners of any soreness, strain, injury, or illness you may have so that they can take appropriate precautions.

  • Use common sense. If you have a sore back, sit out techniques or exercises that may aggravate it.

  • Respect everyone's abilities, both your own and your partner's. Know and repect your limitations and your partner's.

NOTE: Before training with any injury, disability, or illness, get your doctor's professional opinion and follow his or her advice.

Aikido is a life-long endeavour. If you take care of yourself, you may still be practicing when you are 70 years old. You are better served by taking a few months off to let an injury heal than to cut short your training career for the sake of a couple of training sessions.