Compendium

• Grading is the way we show our skill. At Sunyata Aikido Dojo, we want all members to follow our grading system. It’s our backbone. This should be achievable for anyone who spends conscious time studying the art of Aikido.
• It is not possible to perform a good grading without preparation. You often show your level with others at the same level. At Dan Grades, we refer to Hiroaki Kobayashi sensei and our organization’s grading committee.
• We therefore train especially towards grading goals or skill goals (see the grading form). Demonstrating everything is a huge task, so there are sub-goals, Kyu degrees, and different levels of Dan degrees. Dan graduates should also have an understanding in general about Aikido training in Norway and internationally. They should know that there are different “styles” of ways to train Aikido, and preferably they will have tried some of them. Experience is better than no experience.
• We want our members to have a good opportunity to achieve the goals and ensure the quality of our skill. A black belt should mean that you have approximately the knowledge and skills that the degree requires, and it should also stand up internationally. This presupposes that you come to training regularly, maintain your skills, and continue your studies towards the next goal. For Dan degrees it is also important that you go out of the Dojo and attend seminars, trying out other teachers with an open mind. It gives you broader experience and reinforces the understanding that there is more than one way to train.
• Grading in aikido is like with any craft: you have to show your work and get passed or failed.
• When a student taking a higher dan test demonstrated that they knew a technique well, our main sensei, Kobayashi Sho Shihan, used to say “Show me variations.” There are those who have trained a lot and have experience. There are those who are upcoming instructors, with the material to take skills further! There’s not just one way to do it!
• In Aikido we do not compete! We focus on showing our skills. On grading, techniques are shown clearly and distinctly. Of course, the pace can vary, but always make sure that no one is injured during the test. You should have clear control and situational awareness.
• Our instructors train themselves! They travel to many seminars here in Norway and internationally. They are active. They know the syllabus in and out, they practice it and fine-tune their skill. It is also one of the reasons why we invite other instructors: for the opportunity to specialize and make ties to other Dojos. Most Dojos today are part of a network of Dojos so opportunities are there.

Mouliko Halén, Dojo cho.