Today was a very enjoyable Sunday. There has been something that I have wished to return to for some time. That is Aikido.
I started learning the art when I was 13 years of age and I was the first teacher of it at a very young age.
Two years ago I spoke with my original teacher (sensei) whom now lives in Cleveland and was a very influential during my formative youthful years. He had asked me how I had been doing with teaching Aikido and I had stopped teaching it but I had done much with it. Being the youngest teaching in all of North America and then teaching self defense programs as well as being invited to demonstrate the art. And as well, many see me as a very determined person, however I am just more conservative and in many ways how I write is within the areas of philosophy and no need of certain elements. I guess it’s been my positive vice that I left aside – but in many ways I never have as most all that I have wrote has been without shame, it has been with a method, and in my point of view it’s really been a manner where by I love to write in a manner that is not anything but just enjoyment – yet authentic.
With all said, in many ways the manner of Aikido and the philosophy have been an integrated part of my life for many years. So when I arrived in this city I looked up to see if there was a dojo and there was the original version of Aikido. I have never considered Aikido anything other than a spiritual, philosophical and physical art form. So I was fortunate to talk to the older main instructor and get directions and then go and watch the class take place.
After driving within the University and getting lost a few time – I finally found the place. And when I walked in there it was – the traditional style and I sat down and watched. There after I was told that I should have brought my “gi” which is the uniform that you see here. I explained that I merely wanted to watch and during the two hours. I was in my glory as I was in the flow while watching the class take place. And as well, being able to speak with the participants and teacher thereafter. I had not revisited the past, as Aikido has always been something that I hold within myself. The definition of Aikido from English to Japanese has several different translations. But basically it means to be in harmony with one’s center – or within spirit.
And yes there is a much to be said with regards to Aikido as it’s not about just the physical it’s about the manner in which one handles themselves in life. Being within a flow has many meanings to it but “within harmony with ones spirit” while at the same time learning to meditate, and as well to do much more than just static techniques.
What I was most pleased with was the ability to meet with a group of people that are from different backgrounds and enjoy watching a small class taking place on a Sunday. I have been invited to partake within the organization here – and I have made a few new friends. For me that is where the vertical and the horizontal come together. Aikido is passive, and as well very deep routed in philosophy.
So in speaking with someone for the first time regarding the art, and as well being able to be invited to partake back into something that I have taught people as well as learned more from people many.
Aikido is not like most other martial art forms. It was a branch from ju juitsu. The founder of Aikido wanted to break away and founded Aikido, while at the same time a Japanese man by the name of Kano, started a competitive sport at the same time called Judo. However I once wrote as a child while studying the art the following short poem as I recall it vividly and it goes like this:
“I am not one two people or three
I am one whole – one whole is me
I am not rugged nor even tough
But I am dedicated to my stuff
My stuff is fast and it is slow
For it’s the soft style Aikido
And it has soul”
That was at the age of 13. And still to this day I just know that this is one area that I am going to embark back into. Not entirely in the same manner – but in a manner that I did for years. Right now the teachings on the university campus are going through a transition as they are looking for a place to have as their own. So within some time I will return back into something I was fortunate as a child to be placed into and thrived in. But I never did it for the “art of fighting”; it’s been an art form for me for many years.
And it remains an art to me to this day.
