My inspiration for this post came from reflecting on how my role at my club has changed, especially over the last year.
Two years ago, I was just a student who assisted with a little bit of administration and made sure that leaflets advertising the club were always at the front desk of the sports centre where we train. My biggest worry/concern each week was merely whether or not the endometriosis would cut me some slack this week to train followed by if the bus for once, would be on time for me to get to class.
Now what is my role? Well, I'm now usually the second highest (or at least the third highest) grade in attendance on the mat each week. That was the first change. And it was a big one. Whereas before I received direction, suddenly I had to direct lower grades. If Sensei was talking to a parent after the Juniors class, it was now suddenly my responsibility as a higher grade to start the warm up and basic drills to prepare the adults class so that we were ready for Sensei to start teaching. As a result of me having to lead, I guess I began to earn the respect of the lower grades. So much so, that I was started to be addressed as 'Senpai'. I have never insisted that I was and am to be addressed as such, just my first name is fine by me. But there are a few lower grades who wish to show me that respect, therefore I have to accept that they wish to demonstrate their respect in this way. I found this quite hard at first. I still do not feel that I have fully earned the title of 'Senpai', it is not something that sits well with me. But as the weeks have gone by, I feel that I am starting to 'grow' into the role of a Senior student. Perhaps this is the natural order of things - who knows?
The next big change was when I qualified as a coach. I skipped quite happily back to my club full of enthusiasm and positivity. But be warned, the one thing that the coaching course did not quite prepare me for was the psychological side of coaching, especially children and disruptive ones at that. But I am learning what makes each of the Junior students 'tick' about their Aikido. Some like just to be shown once and left to practice. Some like to 'walk' or 'mirror' me through a technique, then practice. Others like to have the technical aspects broken down and shown bit by bit first, then left to work on it. Every student is different. One thing that both children and adults have in common is that they like to feel that they are listened to and that their opinions as club members are valued. So I think I am getting the hang of coaching slowly but surely.
The next big change would be for me to have my own club I guess. It has been discussed. But I am not sure if that is the next step for me once I achieve 1st Dan. I still feel that I am growing in my role as a coach, and there will be a transition period of where I 'grow' into feeling comfortable as a 1st Dan. So we shall see. At the moment I am quite enjoying teaching. I might not be the one to win gold medals at the next Championships but I can coach and I do coach well. I think I have finally found my niche in Aikido.
