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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….

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Sunday 21 February 2010

Chapter 53: New Year, New Job, New Dojo...Don't make life easy for myself do I?

Yes thats right, New year, New Job, New Dojo. I recently changed jobs to specialise further in my field (the other side of the country to be exact), so naturally I needed to keep up with the Aikido- especially if I want to get to brown.

However, there was just one problem- there is no Tomiki Aikido club where I am but there are Shodokan clubs. So do I quit Aikido having got so far or do I change styles? From this entry's title-yup you're right, I've decided to change styles. I'm not completely new to Shodokan Aikido by the way- there were a few club members at my last club that were interested in it, so I did practice in Shodokan style sometimes.

But there's no denying it-it is slightly different and its hard to remember what style does what. But on a brighter side, I think we may have got to the bottom of the roll 'problem' and hopefully this can be resolved soon.

So, how did it feel to change styles? To be honest, a little 'traitor' like since 99.9% of my training thus far has been Tomiki. But I really don't believe I've turned my back on my original training completely. After all, the basics of all Aikido styles are virtually the same since the principle of Aikido underlying them are the same. And yes, I do miss my old clubs. One folded just before I moved so it made saying goodbye a little easier.

Over the past four years I have trained with a variety of different people, both male and female from all walks of life and each with their own Aikido. One of the great things I love Aikido is the way it draws people together. You find that the people you train with do not become friends exactly, but they don't remain complete strangers- you form a 'bond' if you will, and each clubmate leaves their mark on you. Which is why I say its not completely goodbye when you leave a club or it folds- you leave part of yourself and you take the spirit of the club with you.