Aikido #2

I went to my 2nd Aikido meeting yesterday, the class went relatively the same, but I wish to talk a little bit about the formalities of the class. First, during practice there is always a chair with a portrait of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido.
Second, Before, every move the instructor usually demonstrates it with one of the Senior students. During demonstrations everyone always seats on their knees, and the student always approaches the instructor by walking on his knees. Before the move begins everyone bows and says "Onegaishimasu" (A very formal way of saying "Please"). After the demonstration everybody bows again and says "Arrigato Gozaimashita", (a very formal of saying "Thank you" in the past tense, thanking for something that already happened). We then repeat this with your partners that you practice the moves with. The practice sort of ends with a ritual where everyone bows to everyone else in the class with the word "Arrigato Gozaimashita". Its funny how small things can really build relationships with people. Besides that practice, was very similar to last time except that perhaps I didn't get as tired and even instead got more of an adrenalin rush at the end.