On your first visit you can wear clean
loose comfortable clothing. (Later you can buy a Judo or Karate suit
through the club at a discount on shop prices). After changing you
should wear something on your feet until you reach the mat. As a matter
of
traditional Japanese etiquette as well as hygiene, footwear should
never be worn on the mat. A good standard of personal hygiene is a
courtesy to other students.
You will need to buy a wooden training sword (Bokken) and a staff
(Jo) soon after starting training but they are not essential immediately.
Aikido practice involves Japanese terminology which may seem difficult
to begin with but instructors can provide translation sheets and you’re
not expected to learn it overnight. |