New format for testing and rank promotion deemed sucessful

They say necessity is the mother of invention. As our dojo approached the time for students to test, it became clear that a single night testing format was not going to serve the membership.

We had people, ripe for promotion, who were practicing with injuries.  The teachers and teacher candidates who needed to observe testing had divergent work schedules. We were scarce on available ukes. We had potential rank promotions ranging from 5th kyu to yudansha. One night just wasn't going to work.

I've seen other martial arts schools implement a testing period of several days. Candidates are observed over a period of time and promotions may or may not come out at the end of the period. I haven't seen that format employed in aikido dojos. Of course as teachers we watch students over time and the testing night is a culmination of a longer period of test preparation. You can't "cram" for an aikido test! However, I've always seen aikido dojo testing conducted in one session; usually in the course of one evening.

At our dojo I proposed we hold a multiple evening, all-dojo evaluation and testing event. Teachers and teacher candidates discussed schedule and we agreed upon three consecutive nights. Students preparing for tests agreed to clear their schedules and come all three nights. Middle and younger ranks came to the days that they could.

Over the three nights, a large percentage of the Birankai curriculum was called. A mix of standing, sitting and hanmi handachi techniques were covered each night as well as weapons forms. Candidates had a chance to serve as both uke and nage. If a fundamental form was performed weakly on one night, there was a chance to do better in the next night.  When one candidate surpassed expectations, I had the chance to raise the bar on the following night and give him a chance to perform at a level above the rank he was testing for.

As the three nights came to conclusion we clearly had come through the fire together as a group. Tension had dropped, shoulders had melted and we announced 6 new promotions.* Individuals not testing for specific rank were offered a challenge  and invitation to prepare for the next testing opportunity. Teachers and teaching candidates had the opportunity to evaluate where we are as a dojo and what material the members need to study in regular weekly classes.

Listening to students after the event, it was clear that this format was a good experiment. One member mentioned it felt like the end of summer camp; no tension left. Just continuous movement, washed in sweat, revolving around and within ones center.

photo provided by Terese Scollard

*Promoted April 3, 2014

Sandan: Sean Sheedy, Jon Paul Oliva

Shodan: Kevin Greenwood, Sanders Anderson

Nikyu: James Murray

Gokyu: Troy Wilson




Article written by by Suzane Van Amburgh

Contact us: dojo@multnomahaikikai.com

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6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239