I wanted to thank everyone for their help over the last few weeks in preparing for my 4th kyu test on the 26th. I studied Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a year, and one of the things I noticed there was how everyone was centered on his own progress, with little regard for the growth of others. The sense of competition permeated the dojo. I don't mean to put other martial arts down; it is what it is. But here, even though only two of us were testing, others seemed to go out of their way to help me in my own practice -- maybe realizing that they too would grow through ukemi. People were patient, informative, and amazingly helpful. Without minimizing the help of all of you, I want to thank in particular Danny, Doug, and Victor for their sustained patience and encouragement. The sense of community was important to me. I don't think I've ever studied for anything as much in a long while, and I know that, if nothing else, I've developed even greater empathy for the students I have who struggle with a topic that comes easily to me. Again, thanks to everyone.
Tom
Co-located at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo, Shobu Aikido of Ohio provides Aikido and Internal Power/Aiki training for adults and children in the greater Toledo area with weekly classes and seasonal seminars. Visitors are always welcome.
There are currently openings for Adult and Children students. Interested candidates are invited to observe a class. The dojo is co-located with the Toledo Zen Center at 6537 Angola Road Holland, OH 43558 jayrinsenweik@gmail.com
Aikido is a non-competitive martial art that can be practiced by almost anyone. Aikido techniques do not rely on physical strength but rather develops relaxed power through the focus of intention and Ki. The result is a creative method of non-destructive conflict resolution.
Aikido is practiced on many levels. The first level is includes the development of stamina, flexibility, and learning how to focus one's intention. The second level is built on the first and stresses self-defense techniques that teach the natural order of movement. In this process the students also become adept at ukemi, the art of rolling, falling and protecting oneself. Aikido provides the opportunity for the development of the entire person. It is a workout of the entire body and mind and results in increased strength, overall physically fitness, flexibility and centeredness.
At the third level students are gradually introduced to the secrets of receiving and harnessing the power of ki, they also develop spatial awareness and learn to judge proper timing and distance. During this training the goal is to establish and maintain an energetic connection to your partner and to lead them off balance. This eliminates the need for more destructive means of resolving situations.
The highest level of aikido is mind over matter. This involves the use of visualization techniques, the power of intention and ki, breath control and meditation. Aikido is truly a spiritual martial art that explores themind - body - spirit connection. This advanced level of training at Shobu Aikido reaches a level not easily found elsewhere. The student learns how to manifest power and effectiveness by the focusing of intention alone. This level depends on and can only be reached through the refinement of technique and the students own deepest feeling. For this reason it alternates between the physical and the spiritual.
In the process of practicing aikido, students inevitably find themselves less stressed and more energetic, better equipped to manage life's many conflicts with calm control. Aikido is great for adults and kids alike because practice encourages respect for self and others, self control, cooperation and responsibility.
Gasshuku or weekend long intensive seminars with William Gleason Sensei are available seasonally.
Children's aikido classes provide a friendly, non-competitive environment for students to become more physically fit, agile, flexible, aware, focused, and relaxed. They learn how to safely fall, roll and perform a variety of self-defense techniques in a supportive, comfortable setting, and parents like Aikido because kids learn how to be powerful without becoming destructive.
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1 comment:
I want to echo Tom's comment. My understanding came together for my test Saturday only because of everyone's patience. In particular, I want to thank Andy, Chelsea, Mike, Jim and Peter. (This may be as close to an Oscar acceptance speech I will ever make.)
A few weeks ago, Sensei asked for volunteers to record their feelings about aikido for potential students. When asked, “What is aikido?” I stared at the running camera, blinked into the light, and said something eminently forgettable. Since then, I have had time to reflect on that question, and believe I have a better answer:
At a Sunday school class I attended long ago, we discussed how we would know when God was talking to us. Most people thought it would involve clouds parting and a voice reverberating through the heavens. Instead, the Bible passages suggested it would be like a whisper riding on the wind--you had to be working hard and paying attention or you would miss it. Now, I think aikido is that whisper riding on the wind. You have to be working hard and paying attention to hear it.
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