Physical Education: Martial Arts: Aikido

Basic Aikido techniques, such as throws and immobilizing holds, are taught in this martial art that emphasizes leverage and circular movements as defensive techniques.

PEAC fee: $290.00; Class takes place at Aikido of Champlain Valley; Students must provide own transportation; fee includes uniform; Open to Degree and PACE students

INSTRUCTOR:Benjamin Pincus PRONOUNS: He/Him EMAIL: bpincus@burlingtonaikido.org Aikido of Champlain Valley 257 Pine St., Burlington PHONE: (802)249-0359 (personal cell phone) or 802-951-8900 dojo CLASS TIMES: Tues/Thurs 6-7pm Course Description: Aikido is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes dynamic, circular throws and pins rather than strikes and kicks. Aikido means "the way of harmonizing with internal power," or ki. We will practice aerobic conditioning, flexibility and relaxation skills that cultivate the development of core power and internal energy, falling skills and self-defense techniques. Aikido emphasizes paired practice rather than solo exercises. Students should feel comfortable with close physical contact.

Learning Objectives: • Psychomotor Goals: Aikido conditioning teaches body/mind integration. By integrating breath work with aerobic conditioning, integrated, relaxed movement and flexibility training, aikido teaches us how to relax under stress and learn how to generate power through relaxed and flowing movement. • Cognitive Skill Goals: The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, once said “Depending on the circumstance, one should be as hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, free flowing like water, or empty as space.” The curriculum will include an understanding of how to apply the principles of conflict resolution in order to increase martial effectiveness and discover greater harmony in one’s life. The aikido student learns how to cultivate resiliency and how to blend with both physical and verbal attacks. • Wellness/Lifelong Fitness Goals: Training integrates yogic stretching, breathwork, and plyometric training to cultivate relaxation, aerobic fitness and the cultivation of internal power with a powerful and flexible body. An integral aspect of training is the art of ukemi, or falling practice. Skillful falling is perhaps one of the best self-defense tools one could gain from their practice. Required Platforms: This course will utilize Brightspace https://brightspace.uvm.edu/d2l/login and Constant Contact in order to communicate class information including closures, supplementary material, etc. Students should add bpincus@burlingtonaikido.org into their e-mail address books in order to receive e-mails from the instructor. Method of Instruction & Course Organization: Classes will take place in the traditional Dojo (literally, “place of the way/path”) at Aikido of Champlain Valley at 257 Pine Street near downtown Burlington. If the student requests, the instructor can recommend additional reading material. The course primarily emphasizes the physical training of aikido. The class will also practice traditional Japanese etiquette – Reigi. All students are expected to be respectful of this tradition. Aikido involves bowing – please notify the instructor if you have any questions or concerns about this aspect of the tradition. PEAC Course Fees PEAC charges course fees to offset the costs of instructors, course equipment, and other administrative costs directly associated with the class and/or program. These fees are necessary because PEAC does not receive an allocation from tuition dollars collected for its courses. The course fee for Aikido is $290. This fee includes a keikogi (traditional uniform) and includes free membership at ACV for unlimited classes from September through December 2025. Required/Suggested Equipment: We require students to wear a keikogi (uniform) while training. Before you purchase a keikogi, students should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Shorts are not recommended - T-shirt and sweatpants are ideal. We will practice lapel/collar grabs, and a keikogi will not tear. Safety & Warm-Up Requirements: Aikido training can be practiced at different levels of intensity according to the skill and inclination of the partner. Please respect your own boundaries and that of your partner, and inform the instructor (or any senior member you trust) if you feel unsafe for any reason during your practice. You can always stop training if you feel like you need to take a break. Physical Contact Aikido is a strenuous and aerobic form that always involves physical contact with a partner. This contact includes wrist/lapel grabs, joint locks, chokes, pinning techniques and throws. You will work directly with another student, taking turns attacking or defending. Classes emphasize the careful study of ukemi, or the art of falling. If physical contact is a concern, please speak directly with the chief instructor. He has worked with survivors of trauma, and will keep your concerns and questions confidential. Please notify the instructor if you have any preexisting injuries or physical challenges that may impact practice of aikido. An individual has the right to their preferences regarding touch and these preferences might change over time. Establishing consent on one occasion does not establish future consent.

Methods of Evaluation & Course Requirements: Attendance Policy & Classroom Environment Expectations Since PEAC classes are based on physical activity and skill development, participation is crucial to the learning process. Participation includes active presence, effort and improvement, rather than physical facility. Students must show up to class and be ready to partake in all class exercises Since PEAC classes are based on physical activity and skill development, participation is crucial to the learning process. Participation includes active presence, effort and improvement, rather than initial physical aptitude or prior martial experience. Students are expected to sign in on the attendance sheet located at the front desk preceding every class in order to record your participation. Students must attend 80% of classes to receive a passing grade. Failure to attend at least 80% of classes will result in a failing grade. Therefore, in order to pass the course, students must not miss more than 6 classes. Students are expected to arrive on time; three (3) late arrivals will count as one (1) absence. If you need to miss classes, you must contact the teacher preceding the class and let him know the reason for your absence. Making up missed classes: Students are eligible to make up missed classes if they become a member of Aikido of Champlain Valley, attend additional classes at other times, and notify the teacher that they attended those additional classes. It is the instructor’s discretion to determine whether an absence shall be deemed excused or unexcused. Excused absences are defined as absences with prior notice given to the instructor. You must contact the instructor personally and notify them of the reason for your absence. Messages do not serve as notification. Examples of absences that are unexcused regardless of prior notification include meetings, work, and/or friends or relatives in town. Examples of excused absences with prior notification include death in family and/or severe illness. Students may be asked to provide verification. Skills & Knowledge Assessment At the end of the semester, we will conduct a test. The techniques will be announced in Japanese; the student will be evaluated on his/her understanding of the test names, the techniques, and their understanding of ukemi or falling practice. The student will be evaluated on an individual basis rather than natural aptitude, so an athlete who fails to practice for the test could receive a lower score than a less adept student who diligently applies themselves to learning. We will review the test techniques throughout the semester. In order to pass, all students must attend the final exam/class. Grading Criteria Attendance and Participation 70 Points Skills and Knowledge Assessment 30 Points Total: 100 Points Grading Scheme: A+ 97-100 points A 92.1-96.9 points A- 90-92 points B+ 87-89.9 points B 82.1-86.9 points B- 80-82 points C+ 77-79.9 points C 72.1-76.9 points C- 70-72 points D+ 67-69.9 points D 62.1-66.9 points D- 60-62 points F Below 60 points