7th Kyu White Belt with Stripe

Minimum 2 months and 20 hours of training

Ki tests and exercises

• Seiza – A Japanese style of sitting with legs folded under the body.
• Shizentai – A natural stance (with feet shoulder – width) in which feet and shoulders are in one line.
• Orenaite – The unbendable arm.
• Koho tento undo – Rolling back and forth with a folded knee. It is performed from sitting.
• Ushiro ukemi - Falling backward and to standing position.
• Mae ukemi – Falling forward and to standing position.
• Ryote dori kokyu dosa – From seiza uke attacks with  two wrists grab tori. Tori performs breath – power throw and moves aside after the throw.

Techniques

Tachi waza

• Katate kosa dori Kote goeshi – Uke attacks with wrist grab (left – left; right-right). Tori performs wrist turning, throw and pin.
• Kata dori Ikkyo (Ude osae) - Uke attacks with dynamic shoulder grab. Tori performs  elbow hold. The technique is in two variations: omote and ura.
• Katate kosa dori kokyu nage – Uke attacks with the wrist grab (left – left; right-right). Tori performs throw, controlling Uke's head and finishes the technique with leg and arm ( left –right; right – left).

6th Kyu Yellow Belt

Minimum 3 months and 30 hours of training after having taken 7th kyu

Ki tests and exercises

• Ushiro ukemi (Heavy Fall) – Falling backward with slap of two hands at the same time and returning to standing position.
• Mae ukemi (Heavy Fall) - Falling forward with slap of two hands at the same time and returning to seiza.
• Shomen uchi Yokomen uchi and Mune tsuki – Demonstration of basic strikes performed with kiai.
• Funakogi undo – Rowing exercise.
• Shomen uchi ikkyo undo – Raising arms to face level and dropping them sharply to waist level as if cutting with a sword.
• Ryote dori renzoku kokyu dosa – From seiza uke attacks with two wrists grab. Tori performs breath – power throw without moving.

Techniques

Tachi waza

• Shomen uchi Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with downward strike to the head. Tori performs throw, controlling uke's head and finishes the technique with leg and arm (left – right; right – left).
• Katate dori Shihonage – Uke attacks with dynamic wrist grab (left – right). Tori performs four directions throw. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Shomen uchi Irimi nage – Uke attacks with downward strike to the head. Tori performs throw, controlling Uke's head and finishes the technique with leg and arm (left – left; right – right).
• Kata dori Nikyo (Kote mawashi) – Uke attacks with dynamic shoulder grab. Tori performs 2 principle in 2 variations: omote and ura.

5th Kyu Yellow Belt with Stripe

Minimum 3 months and 30 hours of training after having taken 6th kyu

Ki tests and exercises

• Hanmi no kamae – Stance in which the shoulders are in one line, also known as triangle stance (“Half body stance”).
• Banzai no kamae – Stance in which the shoulders and feet are in one line and both arms are folded in elbows and raised up. The body is slightly leaned back.
• Zengo Undo – The same movement as in Shomen uchi ikkyo undo, but with turning 180 degree pivoting.
• Happo undo – Eight directions movement.
• Tekubi kosa undo – Exercise in which the wrists are crossed in front of the abdomen and face.
• Kamae with Bokken – Demonstration of the 5 basics sword stances: gedan no kamae, chudan no kamae, jodan no kamae, haso no kamae, waki no kamae.
• Bokken and Jo Suburi – Demonstration of the basic strikes with bokken (sword) and jo (staff) performed by shomen uchi, yokomen uchi and muke zuki with kiai.

Techniques

Tachi waza

• Shomen uchi Kote gaeshi – Uke attacks with downward strike to the head. Tori performs wrist turning, throw and pin.
• Shomen uchi Ikkyo – Uke attacks with downward strike to the head. Tori performs ikkyo(ude osae). The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Katate dori Sankyo (Kote hineri) – Uke attacks with dynamic wrist grab (left – right). Tori performs sankyo. The technique is in 3 variations: omote and ura with osae, as well as  nage.
• Yokomen uchi Sokomen irimi nage – Uke attacks with a side strike to the head. Tori performs movement similar to the exercise sai undo. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Mune tsuki Kote gaeshi – Uke attacks with thrusting strike to the chest (in the solar plexus area). Tori performs wrist turning, throw and pin.
• Katate dori soto Kayten nage – Uke attacks with wrist grab (left – right). Tori performs rotary throw from the outside. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Katate dori uchi Kayten nage – Uke attacks with wrist grab (left –right). Tori performs rotary throw from the inside. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.

4th Kyu Blue Belt

Minimum 3 months  and 30 hours of training  after having taken 5th kyu

Ki tests and exercises

• Ushiro sori – Stance in which one leg is forward, hands are forded in the elbows and lifted up. The body is slightly leaned back.
• Mae kagami –Banding the body forward as in the technique ushiro tekubi dori kokyo nage
• Sai undo – Exercise in which arms swing to the left and right by emphasizing the movement with high (strong) inclination of the body (hips).
• Sai choyako undo – It is performed like sai undo with cross step.
• Ude furi undo – Exercise in which arms swing around the body.
• Ude furi choyako undo – It is performed like ude furi undo but with tai sabaki.
• Ushiro dori undo – Bending the body forth to the forward leg, the body is bent by the waist, arms are stretched forth and back.
• Ushiro tekubi dori undo – Bending the forth to the forward leg, wrists are bent pointing down to the ground.
• Shikko – Traditional way of walking in seiza (knee walking). It is performed by moving mae, ushiro and tai sabaki.
• Tai sabaki toshu – Moving of the body against – katate dori, shomen uchi, yokomen uchi and mune tsuki.

Techniques

Tachi waza

• Yokomen uchi Shiho nage – Uke attacks with side strike to the head. Tori performs four directions throw. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Ushiro tekubi dori Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with both wrists grab from the back. Tori performs dynamic throw using the movement from ushiro tekubi dori undo.
• Ushiro tekubi dori Kote gaeshi – Uke attacks with both wrists grab from the back. Tori performs wrist turning, throw and pin. The technique is in 2 variations.
• Kata dori Yonkyo (tekubi osae) – Uke attacks with dynamic shoulder grab. Tori performs yonkyo. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Ryote dori Tenchi nage – Uke attacks with both wrists grab from the front. Tori performs “Heaven and earth” throw. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Ryote dori kokyu nage – Uke attacks with both wrists grab from the front. Tori performs dynamic throws. The technique is in 4 variations.

3rd Kyu Blue Belt with Stripe

Minimum 6 months and 60 hours of traning after having taken 4th kyu

Ki tests and exercises

• Yoko ukemi – The sideways falling exercise is performed from standing position as mae ukemi.
• Tenkan undo – Turning the body to 180 degree.
• Irimi tenkan (Tai sabaki) – Turning the body to 360 degree.

Techniques

Tachi waza

• Ushiro rio hiji dori Kote gaeshi – Uke attacks with dynamic elbows grab from the back. Tori performs wrist turning, throw and pin. The technique is in 1 variation.
• Mune tsuki Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with thrusting strike to the chest. Tori performs rotary throw grabbing uke's attacking hand.
• Katat dori Gokyo (ude nobashi) – Uke attacks with dynamic shoulder grab. Tori performs gokyo. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Ushiro dori Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with grab from the back (“Bear hug”). Tori performs dynamic throw using the movement from Ushiro dori undo.
• Ryote dori Soto Kaiten nage – Uke attacks with both wrists grab from the front. Tori performs rotary throw from outside. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Ryote dori Uchi Kaiten nage – Uke attacks with both wrists grab. Tori performs rotary throw from inside. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Katate ryote dori nikkyo – Uke attacks with both hands holding tori's hand. Tori performs nikkyo. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.

 

Suwari waza

• Shomen uchi Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with downward strike to the head. Tori performs throw throw controlling uke's head. The technique finishes with osae.
• Shomen uchi Ikkyo – Uke attacks with downward strike to the head. Tori performs elbow hold . The technique is in 2 variations: irimi and tenkan.
• Kata dori Nikkyo – Uke attacks with dynamic shoulder grab. Tori performs nikkyo. The technique is in 2 variations: irimi and tenkan.

• Bokken Kata 1 – “Happo giri”. The kata consists of 13 movements which include the basic strikes shomen uchi and mune tsuki.
• Ju waza – Demonstration of free style techniques against Ryote dori, Mae rio kata dori, Ushiro tekubi dori.

2nd Kyu Brown Belt

Minimum 6 months and 60 hours of training after having taken 3th Kyu and also having participated in an aikido seminar.

Ki tests and exercises

• Agura no shisei – Cross-legged sitting position.
• Kata ashiage – Keeping one's balance with raised bent leg (in the air) and stretched forward arm.
• Agaranai karada – “The unliftable body”. It is performed from shizen tai.
• Questions: The examining commitee might ask one of the following questions during the test:

-What are the four basic principles in Aikido?
-What is Aikido?

• Kokyu ho – Breathing demonstration.

Techniques

Tachi waza

• Mae rio kata dori Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with grabbing both shoulders from the front. Tori performs dynamic throw ending on one knee.
• Ushiro rio kata dori Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with grabbing both shoulders from the back. Tori performs dynamic throw to seiza.
• Katate ryote dori Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with two hands holding tori's hand. Tori performs dynamic throw controlling uke's head and ends up the technique with rear leg and arm (left – right; right – left). The technique is in 2 variations: irimi and tenkan.
• Mae Rio kata dori Kote gaeshi – Uke attacks with dynamic both shoulders grab. Tori performs turning the wrist, throw and pin.
• Kata dori Men uchi Irimi nage – Uke attacks simultaneously with shoulder grab and direct upward strike to the head. Tori performs throw controlling uke's head and ends up the technique with leg and arm (left – left; right – right).

Hanmi Handachi Waza

• Katate dori Shiho nage – Uke attacks with wrist grab (left – right). Tori performs four directions throw. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Katate dori Sankyo – Uke attacks with dynamic wrist grab (left – right). Tori performs sankyo. The technique is in 3 variations: omote and ura with osae and with nage.
• Mune tsuki Kote gaeshi – Uke attacks with direct strike. Tori performs wrist turning, throw and pin.

Tachi waza

• Ryote dori Koshi nage – Uke attacks with both wrists grab from the front. Tori performs hip throw.

• Mae geri Kokyu nage – Uke attacks with front kick. Tori performs dynamic throw controlling uke's head and ends up the technique with rear leg and arm (left- right; right –left). The technique is in 2 variations: irimi and tenkan.

• Ju waza - Demonstration of free-style techniques against any strikes and holds.
• Jo kata 1 – Kata with jo (staff) which includes 22 movements.

1st Kyu Brown Belt with Stripe

Minimum 6 months and 60 hours of training after having taken 2nd Kyu, having participated in an Aikido seminar.

Ki tests and exercises

• Tai sabaki Bokken – Moving of the body towards cutting and thrusting sword attacks from shomen uchi, yokomen uchi and mune tsuki. Uke's attack and tori's defense are performed with  kiai.

 Techniques

Tachi waza

• Ushiro tekubi dori Jiuji nage – Uke attacks with both wrists grab from the back. Tori performs throw through crossed hands pin.
• Yokomen uchi Sudori – Uke attacks with strike to the side of the head. Tori trips uke's leg moving to seiza.
• Katate ryote dori Kote gaeshi – Uke attacks with two hands holding tori's hand. Tori performs wrist turning, throw and pin.
• Mune tsuki Sumi otoshi – Uke attacks with thrusting strike to the chest. Tori performs corner throw.
• Kata dori Gamen uchi Ikkyo – Uke attacks simultaneously with shoulder grab and direct strike to the face. Tori performs ikkyo. The technique is in 2 variations: omote and ura.
• Tanto dori – Uke attacks with knife: shomen uchi, yokomen uchi and mune tsuki. Tori performs minimum (at least) 3 techniques.
• Bokken kata 2 – The kata consists of 13 movements which include the basic strikes: shomen uchi, yokomen uchi and mune tsuki.
• Randori – Defense from different strikes and holds against 3 ukes.

Tachi waza – Uke and tori are standing.
Suwari waza – Uke and tori are in seiza.
Hanmi handachi waza – Uke is standing and tori is in seiza.

Shodan Black Belt 1 degree

• Written essays:What is Aikido? What is Shugio?

Techniques

• Mune tsuki – Demonstration of minimum 5 techniques.
• Yokomen uchi - Demonstration of minimum 5 techniques.
• Ushiro tekubi dori - Demonstration of minimum 5 techniques.
• Ryote dori – Demonstration of minimum 5 techniques.
• Hanmi Handachi waza – Demonstration of different techniques from seiza against one uke.
• Bokken Dori – Demonstration of minimum 3 techniques against the basic sword attacks shomen uchi, yokomen uchi and mune tsuki.
• Jo Kata 2 – Kata with Jo (staff) including 22 movements.
• Randori – Defense from different strikes and holds against 4 ukes.

Nidan Black Belt 2 degree

Minimum 18 months training and 50 hours practicing  as  assistant instructor, participating in an aikido seminar after having taken shodan.

• Written essay: “Aikido-history and future.”

Techniques

• Kata dori  Gamenuchi – Demonstration of minimum 5 techniques.
• Shomen uchi - Demonstration of minimum 5 techniques.
• Hanmi Handachi waza – Demonstration of different techniques from seiza against two ukes.
• Jo Dori – Demonstration of minimum 3 techniques against the basic attacks with Jo (staff) from shomen uchi, yuchi, and mune tsuki.
• Randori – Defense from different strikes and holds against 5 ukes.

Sandan Black Belt 3 degree

Minimum 30 months training, 100 hours practicing as assistant instructor and participating in 2 instructor seminars after having taken nidan.

• Written essay: “Aikido philosophy”

Techniques

• Jo nage –Jo throw –Free style demonstration.
• Kumi jo – Demonstration of 5 basic forms with Jo (staff).
• Kumi tachi – Demonstration of 6 basic forms with sword.
• Randori – Defense from different strikes and holds against 6 ukes.

Yondan Black Belt 4 degree

Minimum 42 months, 200 hours practicing as  assistant instructor and participating in 2 instructor seminars after having taken sandan.

• Written essay: “Applications of Aikido”
• Interview

 Techniques

• Kihon waza – Demonstration of basic techniques – minimum 5 minutes.
• Henka waza – Demonstration of varied techniques – minimum 5 minutes.
• Oyo waza – Demonstration of applied techniques minimum 5 minutes.
• Methodology of teaching – Demonstration of teaching kihon and oyo waza.