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.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Friday, 11 December 2009
Chapter 52: Mental condtioning: Strength from within...the reason I keep going
During the past three and a half years of practising Aikido, I have learned alot in terms of the technical elements of Aikido, shed blood, sweat and occasionally tears- not all at the same time, and the tears definitely not on the mat. Have I noticed any changes in myself you may ask? Yes, I think I honestly say I have. Nothing I can fully explain- I've experienced the usual physical changes in terms of building muscular definition and developing better fitness.
But the one thing I thought I had fully experienced was mental conditioning. Not quite so as it turns out-I'll explain in a short while. I always say the first six months are the hardest you will do as any Martial artist-the first month especially so. Its not just the discipline and etiquette that you have to become akin with- its also the hard graft of physical and mental training you will endure. You're a complete beginner, and whilst you stand at the end of a good session having worked hard, with lungs heaving for oxygen, sometimes Sensi will call to a bout of Ninandorri or tanto practice. You stand there thinking 'How can I do more? I haven't got anything left to give!' But here's the thing you do- and you go back the next week and the week after that and the week after that...for more!
At the moment for some reason I've been finding training especially tough, I sometimes do as I have a minor bowel condition which makes balancing getting enough calories with training hard. But I have to say- whoa! I've not experienced anything like this before. I don't know whether training seems tougher as there is less of us at the moment and so we get less breaks- I seem to remember I got one two minute break in two hours once. I swear I wouldn't have got through it without sport drinks.
What this got to do with mental conditioning? Well I will be very honest- at the moment sometimes I could happily curl up in a corner of the mat and cry. The only reason I haven't scummed as yet is because most weeks I'm really the only woman on the mat. I feel I have to uphold my 'honour' as a woman not to break down. So I don't. I also suspect the reason why I felt this way recently is because I've come down with a kidney infection, and its taking an absolute age to shift-so I'm feeling a little blue at the moment. So, yes I finding that I really have to dig deep inside to keep going.
However, having said I'm really finding Aikido difficult at the moment. I'm still really really enjoying my training. You may ask- why you crazy woman? Why don't you do flower arranging or something instead of putting yourself through this?
The answer is...I don't know. Aikido has always (and I suspect it always will) fulfilled me in a way I can't explain. I sometimes go to training being mad at something or someone at work and come away feeling at peace with myself within. Nothing else can do that for me. So will I be going next week? Kidney infection or no kidney infection... Oh yes, yes I will.
But the one thing I thought I had fully experienced was mental conditioning. Not quite so as it turns out-I'll explain in a short while. I always say the first six months are the hardest you will do as any Martial artist-the first month especially so. Its not just the discipline and etiquette that you have to become akin with- its also the hard graft of physical and mental training you will endure. You're a complete beginner, and whilst you stand at the end of a good session having worked hard, with lungs heaving for oxygen, sometimes Sensi will call to a bout of Ninandorri or tanto practice. You stand there thinking 'How can I do more? I haven't got anything left to give!' But here's the thing you do- and you go back the next week and the week after that and the week after that...for more!
At the moment for some reason I've been finding training especially tough, I sometimes do as I have a minor bowel condition which makes balancing getting enough calories with training hard. But I have to say- whoa! I've not experienced anything like this before. I don't know whether training seems tougher as there is less of us at the moment and so we get less breaks- I seem to remember I got one two minute break in two hours once. I swear I wouldn't have got through it without sport drinks.
What this got to do with mental conditioning? Well I will be very honest- at the moment sometimes I could happily curl up in a corner of the mat and cry. The only reason I haven't scummed as yet is because most weeks I'm really the only woman on the mat. I feel I have to uphold my 'honour' as a woman not to break down. So I don't. I also suspect the reason why I felt this way recently is because I've come down with a kidney infection, and its taking an absolute age to shift-so I'm feeling a little blue at the moment. So, yes I finding that I really have to dig deep inside to keep going.
However, having said I'm really finding Aikido difficult at the moment. I'm still really really enjoying my training. You may ask- why you crazy woman? Why don't you do flower arranging or something instead of putting yourself through this?
The answer is...I don't know. Aikido has always (and I suspect it always will) fulfilled me in a way I can't explain. I sometimes go to training being mad at something or someone at work and come away feeling at peace with myself within. Nothing else can do that for me. So will I be going next week? Kidney infection or no kidney infection... Oh yes, yes I will.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Chapter 51: As grading time comes around again...I ponder whether I should try for my ShoKyu
Hmmm...again I come to the same question I asked myself about a year ago. Do I grade or not and if so for what reason?
This time, its for my brown belt- a bit of a jump from blue. Normally, I would be stuck whether I should grade or not. But this time I have come to a decision-I will grade.
I don't know why I've been able to make a positive decision like this, maybe its because with a little bit of polish, I actually feel ready this time.
I really want to grade. Not because I prefer brown to blue (actually I much prefer blue as a colour) but because I really think I'm ready. Which is odd, considering I normally run a mile from a grading, and I HATE running.
So, which brings me to the ever eternal question- why do martial artists grade? Traditionally the origin of the black belt derives from the idea that your Obi or belt absorbs your Ki and therefore it is bad luck to wash your belt as it washes away your Ki. Therefore the belt isn't washed-thus it would get blacker the longer you trained, hence becoming black. Martial artists grade to get to black eventually as this is the highest grade you can go.
I've decided to grade as I believe each grade gives you new challenges at each stage and I think I'm finally ready to face the challenges of brown.
However, you can grade for the WRONG reasons. Although with grade, comes a nice new belt and the next lot of challenges for you to conquer for you next belt-there also comes responsibility. A strange idea this may seem but each grade you reach, I believe you are responsible for helping the grade below you learn and develop as you were once helped. Therefore, just because you've eventually reached Dan grade doesn't mean you've become the best there is at the martial art that you practise. You shouldn't forget that you were once a white belt too.
This time, its for my brown belt- a bit of a jump from blue. Normally, I would be stuck whether I should grade or not. But this time I have come to a decision-I will grade.
I don't know why I've been able to make a positive decision like this, maybe its because with a little bit of polish, I actually feel ready this time.
I really want to grade. Not because I prefer brown to blue (actually I much prefer blue as a colour) but because I really think I'm ready. Which is odd, considering I normally run a mile from a grading, and I HATE running.
So, which brings me to the ever eternal question- why do martial artists grade? Traditionally the origin of the black belt derives from the idea that your Obi or belt absorbs your Ki and therefore it is bad luck to wash your belt as it washes away your Ki. Therefore the belt isn't washed-thus it would get blacker the longer you trained, hence becoming black. Martial artists grade to get to black eventually as this is the highest grade you can go.
I've decided to grade as I believe each grade gives you new challenges at each stage and I think I'm finally ready to face the challenges of brown.
However, you can grade for the WRONG reasons. Although with grade, comes a nice new belt and the next lot of challenges for you to conquer for you next belt-there also comes responsibility. A strange idea this may seem but each grade you reach, I believe you are responsible for helping the grade below you learn and develop as you were once helped. Therefore, just because you've eventually reached Dan grade doesn't mean you've become the best there is at the martial art that you practise. You shouldn't forget that you were once a white belt too.
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