Translate

About The Following Blog

The following blog has been written purely for those wanting a first hand knowledge of what it is like to step into the dojo for the first time as a complete beginner as a Martial Artist. Through practising a Martial Art, you will gain many things such as self-confidence, self-respect and life-long and good friends. I hope this helps you to see into an amazing world of which you have never seen before and that I have had the privilege of belonging to and knowing.
Although I have not put my name or any name to this blog, it does deserve a dedication- a dedication to those who help people to train, who teach, reassure and most important of all- those who never give up, no matter how many times they hit the ground or a mental brick wall, with themselves or others. But above all- those who are ready to begin their own journey, it begins with one step….

https://twitter.com/Aikilass

Sunday 9 March 2008

Chapter 32: Can you train without participating in Ukemis?

Recently I read and commented on a post on an American Uchi Deshi's blog about 'Just show up'. Its strange how the kama of meditating on these things have an effect on you soon after.
After commenting on that post I developed a kidney infection a few days later. Now I find its my turn to ponder 'Do I show up?'. I will be honest, I hurt too much to train (obviously), its to be expected. But at the same time, its the last Aiki session we will have as a club for two weeks due to Easter, so...do I show up even if its just to watch or cry off? How can you practice safe Aikido if you can't breakfall?
I decide to phone and speak to my instructor. I explained the problem, I wanted to train but couldn't, could I still come? It turns out it wasn't a problem, we could do a session based on movement and I didn't have to breakfall. Yay!
So, I showed up. I decided to work with a lower grade and did some work on basic movement without ukemi. And I have to say, although I had been in a lot of pain all week, I didn't feel any pain during the session at all-in fact, I felt better for turning up rather than moping at home...strange really.

7 comments:

Kingindian said...

hi interesting blog about aikido...
how about exchanging link and fave each other at technorati?
hope our blog will develop well

Anonymous said...

Hi

Glad that you liked my blog, I've done a link exchange to my blog and favourited yours at Technorati.

Regards,
Aikilass

aikidoforbeginners said...

Hiya
Good blog. I've been teaching Aikido for over two decades and training for nearly three, and over the years had many students who simply could not roll, due to medical conditions etc. The wonderful thing about Aiki is that it can be adapted in many ways. Our organisation has a totally blind shodan, a shodan with one leg, and a brown belt with a fused spine. The challenge is to find YOUR way. Good luck!

Kingindian said...

thanks! i will add your link too

uchi deshi said...

I think you just gotta take it easy on yourself. Show up, but don't do anything that hurts. I didn't fall for about a month after I separated my shoulder. Everytime I bowed to a new partner, I said "I'm not falling." They were all fine with it. I hope you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

If ukemi is the art of not getting hurt while doing your martial art then the ideal ukemi for the situation is no ukemi at all. Try not to get too frustrated as you get over that infection.

Take care!
e.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Thanks for all your comments, they really helped make me feel a whole lot better. Uchi deshi, I think thats the best advice to give anyone, that listening to your body whilst training is the best way of recovering quickly without making exsisting injuries any worse. Ericrch, its interesting what you say that the ideal Ukemi is no Ukemi at all. Its exactly the same thing that a Shodan said to me when I was struggling to learn how to roll, she said that a good Aikidocca should never have to breakfall, we learn to breakfall so that we can train safely.

Best Regards,
Aikilass