Aikido Journey- Conclusions after the Training Camp

Beauty and Aikido ©

As one of the purposes of this blog is to show you  and document the journey I am going through with aikido, I decided to go for this post. Even thought it is hard to admit it, during almost every training camp, I tend to lose confidence in myself.  So here is a post for everyone who ever lost confidence in practicing aikido for various reasons:

Busted body parts during free fall (I thought I knew how to do that already- feeling)

No technique name rings a bell

Requested to do all the techniques you know from shomenuchi and you blank out

Forgetting the jo katas

Bad body coordination (which one was the left again?)

etc. etc. etc.

Most of the problems come from comparing yourself to others...which is something one theoretically should not do, but cannot avoid doing. 

The duality of the following thought amuses me the most. Could be that both of these occur at the same time, as in my case:

1. You are taking your practice and yourself too seriously

2. You are not taking it seriously enough

What I mean by that is that I train as many times as I can, and I do get involved with aikido outside the dojo also, but at the same time, I cannot set my mind to seriously focusing on it. There are so many other distractions that stop me from concentrating.

So what should one do at this stage? What I did was Googleing for how others felt about this on forums and blogs. I really liked the following idea.

Anyone attempting to master anything goes through 4 phases: 

1. Unconscious incompetence

2. Conscious incompetence

3. Unconscious competence

4. Conscious competence 

This explanations sound like a great excuse...

So that's that... But did I ever attempt to really master aikido? I think I do it just for the fun of it and sometimes hit the wall of remorse when I see how seriously others take it and how quickly they leave me behind.

The Voice of Aikido- The Meaning of Study

Another voice recording this time Chapter 15 from The Principles of Aikido by Mitsugi Saotome (1989 p.197-199)

Saotome Sensei's Approach to Budo and the Dojo

This chapter describes Budo as a study applied to the whole self being a lifetime study. The skills that you learn in aikido can be applied in your everyday endeavors.

We are introduced to the importance of the dojo as a microcosm. In Saotome Sensei's view it is a place where you feel well, meet a lot of different people and make friends. It is a place where you enrich yourself as a person through building new relationships.

The Parable of the Old Man

The voice recording also includes a story of the man over 70 who decides he would like to take up aikido. O'Sensei does not for a moment hesitate in inviting him to start practicing aikido. It is never too late to open up for new things! Never be mislead by the rigidity of the limits imposed by your own mind!

Ikkyo

One moment and one movement can be decisive. You cannot hesitate and waste time because there is no second chance. Each encounter should be seen as a one time event through which your own self can be sharpened.

Your Teacher

You should see him as a guide, not a guru. He can help you and offer suggestions. He is a person you should respect and not idealize. This is most important to be kept in mind because he also has his flaws and virtues. He cannot be a perfect master. You should take what is of value from him and improve it. Improving and bettering your self is the greatest tribute you can pay him.

Remember that you are part of the Universe. To ruin your life or to waste it is to ruin a piece of the Universe. (M. Saotome)

Taking up a Martial Art. Aikido

Before I started Aikido, I had a really sedentary life. I tried several tricks like going swimming regularly or going to the gym. I never felt motivated to go on with solitary sports on the long run.

So after being fed up with swimming, or better to say with not swimming as regularly as I should have, I decided to pick up a martial art. I opted for a martial art because I had some deeply imprinted memories about karate trainings from my childhood. I did not remember much, just stretching, being really thirsty, being punched in the stomach, laughing a lot on the way home. That kind of pleasant exhaustion we all know after intense physical activity. Not only this, but also that feeling of balance and self-confidence the practice of a martial art can give you.

With all these nice memories I started browsing among martial arts. I read a lot about martial arts in that period and tried to figure out what would fit me best. I had a green belt in Shotokan Karate when I was a kid, but most of the knowledge was forgotten. It was not something I could build too much upon, so I decided I would sign up as a beginner anyway. Browsing among martial arts I found Aikido. I must admit I chose it because of the nonviolence and best martial art for women motto, but by now I know better.

So after picking Aikido I was sure I was on the right way. Training would imply meeting other people who would be enthusiastic about martial arts and most probably about Japan and Japanese culture also. This was the perfect ground that would keep me motivated to train regularly. I knew that missing classes would result in Sensei and the others asking why I wasn't there the last time. I also knew from previous martial arts experience that it was really hard to catch up with the others once you missed out (a reason why I hated Katas in Shotokan Karate). In addition, something you instinctively do in martial arts in compare yourself with others, which is sometimes demotivating but other times can make you develop and earn more knowledge.
I hope this small article helped you and if you are still undecided, I listed some points that might help you.


You should pick up a martial art because:


1.) it is healthy
2.) practice is done in groups, which is more motivating than struggling alone
3.) comparing yourself to others can both motivate and demotivate you, it is up to you!
4.) you learn something new and can develop yourself
5.) you gain more self-confidence


And these are just a few points I listed above.  About the first Aikido training in my next post. Until then, keep it real and let me know if this article helped you in deciding to change your lifestyle and picking up a martial art! Feel free to leave a comment or send me a mail.