The aspect of self-discipline has always interested me. Is it something that is already a part of you, like a personality trait-some people may have the capacity to develop self-discipline more readily or is it something that can be developed through training, either mentally or physically?
This train of thought started after a recent Aikido session. The instructor handed the class over to one of the brown belt coaches. I always enjoy these sessions, not that I'm saying being taught all the time by the same person is boring- its just nice to experience a different train of thought about the aspects of Aikido.
The coach started by explaining a recent observation that she had seen at competitions and gradings-as a club we had become too 'soft', there was no purpose to our technique which was inhibiting our progress in our Aikido.
So we started by beginning with Tandaqondo (the hand and foot exercises) and then were asked to practice it again with a partner-just to see how our technique changed. I have to admit it was very strange-I was 'striking' a real person! In a way, it made it easier to do, but the theory is that the exercises should be practised as if you are striking someone anyway. That done- we were asked to practice the Kata techniques of 1-17 and regardless of being Uke or Tori, we had to come back into posture after every completing technique. I will be very honest here- none of us did it after every technique, quite frightening how sloppy things can become if you let them slip.
After this we were asked to pair up with a different partner and do a different Kata if we wanted but this time maintain eye contact and posture at all times. We were also asked to count each time our partner lost eye contact with us. Apparently, I lost eye contact about twice in total. Not bad really- but I suppose you could argue you should NEVER lose eye contact, but I think that is a matter of opinion really-in a club were there is limited mat space you need to keep one eye on your partner and one eye out for flying bodies in your direction!
At the end we were asked how we thought it had effected our aikido. A blue belt observed that it give us more self-discipline. Interesting point-Shouldn't a martial art encourage you to practice self-discipline on and off the mat whilst you are in the dojo? The Coach had one closing remark- if you practised coming back into posture and maintained eye contact in everything you did with Aikido, gradings would be a breeze.
Once I got home- I began to ponder, what is self-discipline? As well as being an Aikidocca, I'm also an Irish dancer. I have danced since I was about nine years old, so have been dancing quite a while. Irish Dance requires a fair bit of self-discipline- we start in a set starting position, and finish in a set finishing position, and bow to the audience. We are also not allowed to talk to one another on the floor as this encourages us to talk when we are during a performance-which is not professional, therefore it is discouraged in class.
When I first moved into the Senior group of the dance school, we had a bar installed in the classroom. We then shown exercises to do which would help to improve our flexibility and encouraged to use it before each class. The strange thing was out of a class of maybe 12 girls, only 2 or 3 (myself included) would use it. The point is- was that an exercise of developing self-discipline in us as dancers?
As a martial artist you realise that it requires a lot of self-discipline to develop further in a martial art. But the point is what exactly is self-discipline? Is it a frame of mind you develop through training to develop further or is it more a form of self-determination and will to suceed? I like to think that self-discipline is something that you develop as a part and parcel of training be it in dance, martial arts or music. It seems to be a way in which you can conduct yourself to self-improvement, but at the same time know yourself, when to push that little bit further but also know your own limitiations, and I think Aikido is a great way of exploring your inner self-its almost looking in a mirror really.
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Chapter 33: A two week vacation and strangely....I've finally got my endurance and fitness back!
We recently started back as a club after a two week break for Easter. I normally dread these breaks as I find my fitness generally takes a nose dive but this time I can honestly say I was glad of the break as after a recent kidney infection I developed Flu a week later and so wasn't exactly in fit shape. However, although I missed Aiki like mad over the last two weeks, I'm now feeling much much better.
I was kind of dreading the first session back mainly because I wasn't sure how I would hold up but was determined to keep up come what may, even if it killed me. I was also dreading it because as usual at this time of year it was quite a cold night, which usually means that I take about half an hour to warm up. But I went along anyway.
I knew it was a cold night when one of the first Dans (who is quite hardy-never seems to feel pain or the cold) comes in and turns the heating on, yes-he turned the heating on! Ha! it seemed I wasn't the only one feeling cold that night!
The instructor then turns up and suggests that if we're cold, we should run around to get warm. I wasn't so sure- I didn't feel like I could survive the session, never mind tiring myself out BEFORE the session had even begun. But hey, at that point I was too cold to care.
So I start running round once, twice, three, four times-I don't know how many times I lapped around that mat...I only know it was much easier than what I was expecting. I eventually stop and realise my heart rate was only slightly raised and I was only slightly out of puff. Not bad I thinks, for a two week break anyway.
The session then started with running around. Again, I had no problem keeping up. A great improvement considering two weeks ago I was lagging behind everyone else. We then worked through various techniques. At one point, my partner (a blue belt)and I decide to work on some kneeling techniques. I have a slight problem with the second technique, I can't seem to get the timing right but I realise how much I missed my Aikido when there is a mock howl of anguish from my instructor as yes, I did the technique wrong yet AGAIN and He says 'what did I say about that technique again? After all that work we did on it?'and I think 'I've really really missed this'. I could He wasn't really cross, more amused really.
This carried on until we finished up with Hikitat. Normally Hikitat finishes me off but this time I managed two rounds before I broke a slight sweat. Yes! I realise that I'm finally feeling fit again.
That however, was without factoring in what I call PAA or Post-Aiki-Ache in the morning. But you know, I only had that 'nice' Aikido ache- the ache that feels like you've progressed a little further in Aikido.
I was kind of dreading the first session back mainly because I wasn't sure how I would hold up but was determined to keep up come what may, even if it killed me. I was also dreading it because as usual at this time of year it was quite a cold night, which usually means that I take about half an hour to warm up. But I went along anyway.
I knew it was a cold night when one of the first Dans (who is quite hardy-never seems to feel pain or the cold) comes in and turns the heating on, yes-he turned the heating on! Ha! it seemed I wasn't the only one feeling cold that night!
The instructor then turns up and suggests that if we're cold, we should run around to get warm. I wasn't so sure- I didn't feel like I could survive the session, never mind tiring myself out BEFORE the session had even begun. But hey, at that point I was too cold to care.
So I start running round once, twice, three, four times-I don't know how many times I lapped around that mat...I only know it was much easier than what I was expecting. I eventually stop and realise my heart rate was only slightly raised and I was only slightly out of puff. Not bad I thinks, for a two week break anyway.
The session then started with running around. Again, I had no problem keeping up. A great improvement considering two weeks ago I was lagging behind everyone else. We then worked through various techniques. At one point, my partner (a blue belt)and I decide to work on some kneeling techniques. I have a slight problem with the second technique, I can't seem to get the timing right but I realise how much I missed my Aikido when there is a mock howl of anguish from my instructor as yes, I did the technique wrong yet AGAIN and He says 'what did I say about that technique again? After all that work we did on it?'and I think 'I've really really missed this'. I could He wasn't really cross, more amused really.
This carried on until we finished up with Hikitat. Normally Hikitat finishes me off but this time I managed two rounds before I broke a slight sweat. Yes! I realise that I'm finally feeling fit again.
That however, was without factoring in what I call PAA or Post-Aiki-Ache in the morning. But you know, I only had that 'nice' Aikido ache- the ache that feels like you've progressed a little further in Aikido.
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.
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.
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