Elf Sternberg

It's interesting to contrast this to kendaer's aikido dojo... *everybody* takes the warmups seriously, *especially* on Test Day. The other thing is that, at least in that dojo's brand of aikido, they won't let you test unless *they* are pretty certain you already know your stuff.... and it is also considered honorable tradition that at least some friends show up. (I've done this twice for him....)

Of course, the flip side of aikido is that it is purely defensive; somebody has to come at you for you to be able to do anything with it. Fine for somebody whose intent is to mind their own business, but there are times when the best defense is a good offense...