Starting Aikido

When you start Aikido you don’t really know what to expect. You might have an idea that since it’s a martial art, it would involve punching, kicking and dealing with a situation by using force and being aggressive. But Aikido is not like that. It’s more about using your opponent’s strength against them. At the start you probably will get mixed up in all the different techniques and steps. But after time you will get used to them. But it will be highly unlikely that overnight you will become a black belt. So when you start off it might be hard at first and you might have second thoughts. But then you stop and think, and you will realise how fun it is and what a good time you are having. That’s the best thing about it. It might be hard one day and easier the next. So you come to the dojo not knowing to expect. I know that I enjoy Aikido and that when you start everyone is really friendly. So why don’t you give Aikido a go? If you do I’ll see you there.

Patrick Morel-Shields

What's the real test/grading?

I believe the grading is only a snapshot of the journey. It is merely a class or exercise so frequently practised barring all the nerves and hype of formality. If we drill the techniques hard and frequent enough with correct form and precision in timing and sensitivity of course we can reproduce it at a whim or whenever necessary.

The real test is coming to the classes day in day out as often as we can make it ... sore or not, motivated or not, injured or not etc... The real test is the regular class, the regular presentation to the task at hand, how we deal with each other being shites and ukes, being fellow trainees/ fellow students, our conduct and attitude toward our Sensei ... and the everyday practise list goes on ....

The real test is how we conduct our lives on a daily basis being Aikidokas on and off the mat. Gi or no ni.



Your anonynmous fellow student. Osu.

An interpretation of Ki and Do

Ki

Is in the purest meaning the vital principle that feeds the universe, being the cause of the existence and the movement of everything that is. Ki is the cosmic energy, is life, is creation.

Do

The DO begins the first day that we step on a Tatami of any dojo, and it should not end until the last day of our life.


Transalted into English from a Spanish book on Aikido (thank you Keyla!)

On training

In the dojo the beginner rushes to learn. The teacher rushes to teach. The Aikido eludes us. To sincerely look within one technique would reveal the secrets of all the teachers who walked the way. Then why do we hunger so feverishly for the new? If we approach fishing in this manner all becomes clear. You bring all your tackle to the rivers edge. You carefully fasten and bait your hook. You nestle into your favourite spot and cast your line with great expectations. Yet as your line reaches but inches from the waters surface you reel it in. You gather your tackle, move to another spot and start again.

How elusive the fish you cry!

Peter Koussoulis