We understand. We've all been there. It can look strange and intimidating from the outside. So here are the questions that most people ask when they come to Aikido for the first time.

The one qualification: you have to bring the right attitude. It's going to take time, perseverance and hard work. If you're prepared for a serious commitment, you're ready for Aikido. Of course, if you have any health issues, you must consult your physician.

Aikido's power comes from the free flow of internal energy. Tight muscles create blockages. So as you practice Aikido, you'll discover how to relax where your body's tight. You'll take this with you through your everyday life as deep-acting stress relief. And you'll experience new levels of calm vitality.

You're discovering the best in yourself. If stress hobbles effective Aikido, find those things that create stress. Anger. Fear. Insecurity. Frustration. Aggression. Competition. Out they go; they're lead boots. Look around you on the mat. You're with a group of people all working in the same way to find the best in themselves. You're going to make friends for life practicing Aikido.

The bow is an act of courtesy that puts all of this back into perspective. We are all travelling the same path. We all have shortcomings that we are trying to shape into strengths. What we are trying to become is our purpose; what we are is our reality. Understanding this is the source of respect and compassion. The little bow brings great strength to our practice.

We use Japanese terms for the techniques in Aikido. They may sound mysterious at first to an English-speaking ear, but for the most part they are simple technical labels, the Japanese equivalent of things like "reverse rotational throw." We use the Japanese because it creates a consistent vocabulary wherever in the world you might be practicing. But there are some terms that have no equivalent in English; these are some of the secrets of Aikido that you can only discover through practice. So enjoy learning a few words of Japanese; it will enrich your practice.

Understanding Ki is central to the practice of Aikido. It's the power of nature itself, and nature doesn't struggle with itself. When Ki flows freely through us, it keeps us vital and healthy. If someone attacks us, they're attacking nature itself. Nature absorbs aggression and restores natural harmony.

So a good translation of Aikido would be the Way of Harmony.

Sometimes you'll hear the question: which martial art is strongest? Karate, say, vs. Aikido? That's setting up a competition that's the opposite of what Aikido is all about. Our intention is to deflect competition or conflict before it starts.

It takes time and diligent practice to develop Aikido skills. But ask any aikidoist who has studied for a while if they think that it has effective power. A little curl of a smile is going to tell you "if I could only form the words to describe what I've experienced…"

Typically, black belts wear the "hakama," the traditional skirt worn by the samurai. They emphasize the big swirling movements of Aikido. Once you receive your black belt, you'll have the designation "shodan," which means in Japanese "starting out stage," and you'll know you're a true beginner.

New students are often intimidated by the rolls and breakfalls. This is one of the most satisfying aspects of learning Aikido. For those of us who live a chair-bound life, it's a great discovery to get back in touch with the ground. Our instructors will ensure that you learn the basics of forward and backward rolls. You'll then move easily into the breakfalls. It's step-by-step progress. Nobody is going to push you beyond your level of confidence. Once you feel comfortable with the falls, you'll put much more intensity into your practice and you'll find it really exhilarating.

The Aikido techniques can at first look bewildering in their complexity. But they are all based on natural, co-ordinated movement of the body. In fact, that's what you're really practicing-natural movement; the techniques are just applications of core movement. So, don't try to force it; bring relaxation and positive energy to your practice, and it will all start to fall into place.

So, advice for someone interested in Aikido: get out on the mat. You're going to be in the company of people who love what they do and who are interested in your willingness to try. You have a discovery ahead of you that will always be new, every time you step on the mat. You can practice Aikido for the rest of your life, and it will continue to reveal itself. If you feel like a beginner, just be aware that everyone on the mat, no matter what their rank, feels like a beginner too.

Your introductory class is free. Just bring a pair of sweat pants and a long-sleeved shirt. If you want to join, all you'll need is the membership fee; you need not purchase a gi (the uniform we wear), until your first belt test. The membership fees are very reasonable, especially when a family joins. Because Aikido movement uses the whole body, you're going to feel muscles you didn't know you had when you first start. Find your pace; it doesn't do you any good to put your body under undue strain. You'll condition quickly. In classes, when we're not up practicing, we sit in "seiza," the traditional Japanese sitting on your shins. It's very good for grounding. Some new students find this difficult with stiff ankles or knees. They'll loosen up eventually; if you have to, you can sit cross-legged.

How often you practice is very much a personal choice. We'd suggest participating in both classes unless there is a conflict.