Why Aikido?
I was working today, and a vendor happened to be at the service desk talking to one of my associates. He saw the tattoo on my neck (the japanese kanji for "Ki" which loosely means spirit or energy) and asked me what it meant. I told him the meaning, and he asked me in a joking way if I took a martial art like Tae Kwon Do or Aikido.
"actually, yes.. aikido" I replied.
The standard response I get when I mention aikido is "why?"
I get this response especially when I happen to be sporting a large bruise from a katatetori-heavy class. (katatetori being a wrist grab attack)
I sometimes limp into work. Sometimes I'm nursing my shoulder from a particularly lousy roll. Other times I'm just sore all over.
When I'm having a lousy day at work, I sometimes joke that I haven't gotten my ukemi quota for the week. Most of my co-workers have decided I'm a masochist.
(I guess it MUST seem strange-- paying a guy in a skirt to teach you how to throw people around and how to be thrown) At any rate, I inevitably get back to the question of why.
I keep trying to think back over the past 6 months, and I don't know where the idea came from. Truthfully, last year I'm not sure I knew what aikido was. I've seen aikido books in the martial arts section at Barnes and Noble while browsing the tai chi section, but I never bothered to even take a second glance.
One day a random thought popped into my head, nonetheless-- "I need to take aikido"
So, without having any idea what aikido was or where the thought came from, I started looking for a dojo.
I spent many hours searching the web. I emailed a few dojos, requesting information. I finally found a dojo about 10 minutes from my house and sent and email asking if I could come watch a class. I received an email the next day saying I was welcome.
I pulled up to the dojo on the night of class. It was dark and somewhat intimidating. I saw 2-3 students pull up and go in. I almost turned around.
Instead, I sucked it up and went in. I was immediately greeted by a senior student who asked if I had any questions. I told him I wanted to watch the class.
I watched the entire class, mesmerized by everything I saw. (which consisted of a lot of rolling and bokken practice)
After class the sensei asked if I was interested in joining. He answered all my questions and invited me to come back. I said I would definitely consider it.
I must admit to being very intimidated, especially because there were no beginners classes and no women. I continued to research. On that particular dojo website, they linked to their home dojo-- Aikido of Dallas.
I browsed the site and decided to go watch a class there. I was greeted by one of the instructor leading the beginner's class, and once again I watched the entire class with my friend Dena (who was there for moral support.)
I joined the very next week. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out I could practice at the first dojo I visited. (which I have yet to do... liz=aikichicken)
I've been practicing three months, and I absolutely love it. I've never felt better (despite the aches and pains O_o)
As I said before, I don't know where this idea popped into my head, but I honestly think it's one of the best things I've ever done for myself.
Liz
"actually, yes.. aikido" I replied.
The standard response I get when I mention aikido is "why?"
I get this response especially when I happen to be sporting a large bruise from a katatetori-heavy class. (katatetori being a wrist grab attack)
I sometimes limp into work. Sometimes I'm nursing my shoulder from a particularly lousy roll. Other times I'm just sore all over.
When I'm having a lousy day at work, I sometimes joke that I haven't gotten my ukemi quota for the week. Most of my co-workers have decided I'm a masochist.
(I guess it MUST seem strange-- paying a guy in a skirt to teach you how to throw people around and how to be thrown) At any rate, I inevitably get back to the question of why.
I keep trying to think back over the past 6 months, and I don't know where the idea came from. Truthfully, last year I'm not sure I knew what aikido was. I've seen aikido books in the martial arts section at Barnes and Noble while browsing the tai chi section, but I never bothered to even take a second glance.
One day a random thought popped into my head, nonetheless-- "I need to take aikido"
So, without having any idea what aikido was or where the thought came from, I started looking for a dojo.
I spent many hours searching the web. I emailed a few dojos, requesting information. I finally found a dojo about 10 minutes from my house and sent and email asking if I could come watch a class. I received an email the next day saying I was welcome.
I pulled up to the dojo on the night of class. It was dark and somewhat intimidating. I saw 2-3 students pull up and go in. I almost turned around.
Instead, I sucked it up and went in. I was immediately greeted by a senior student who asked if I had any questions. I told him I wanted to watch the class.
I watched the entire class, mesmerized by everything I saw. (which consisted of a lot of rolling and bokken practice)
After class the sensei asked if I was interested in joining. He answered all my questions and invited me to come back. I said I would definitely consider it.
I must admit to being very intimidated, especially because there were no beginners classes and no women. I continued to research. On that particular dojo website, they linked to their home dojo-- Aikido of Dallas.
I browsed the site and decided to go watch a class there. I was greeted by one of the instructor leading the beginner's class, and once again I watched the entire class with my friend Dena (who was there for moral support.)
I joined the very next week. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out I could practice at the first dojo I visited. (which I have yet to do... liz=aikichicken)
I've been practicing three months, and I absolutely love it. I've never felt better (despite the aches and pains O_o)
As I said before, I don't know where this idea popped into my head, but I honestly think it's one of the best things I've ever done for myself.
Liz
posted by Liz at 5/11/2005 10:06:00 PM
11 Comments:
I keep meaning to write something along those lines, too. Or about why people move in and become uchi deshi - that's another one people always ask.
Anyway, to most people we're nuts. That's what I want to write about - what everyone else at work and around us thinks when they see the bruises and when we go off to train every night while they watch tv or go out for a drink.
The ukemi is definitely a great stress relief. Especially koshinage's.
*chuckles* I usually find it rather amusing. I get much flack from friends who want to go have a beer and I say:
"but tonight is aikido"
Ah well, it's not for everyone I'm sure-- and admittedly, we must be a *little* nuts. :)
It's interesting that there were no women at your dojo. Here, more of the advanced ranks are women - not to mention Senei. Most of the people who sign up are men, but there's such a high attrition rate, that doesn't mean much.
Also, I think it's difficult for men who think it's going to be macho, and they find they're at a disadvantage when they try to use strength.
There are actually quite a few women at the parent dojo which I joined. I'd say the percentage is something like 15-20%
There is a high attrition rate like you said. I've seen several people come and go during the short time I've trained.
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Masochist.
PS, we need to see Ep 3 at some point opening weekend.
~S
Egads... it's like a week out, isn't it?
yay!
It is indeed a week away, but since it took over 2 weeks for Hitchhiker's guide to not happen, I figured I should start early. (badum-ching)
~S
You know, that's not entirely my fault... *bats eyes innocently*
Liz
Perhaps not, but lessons learned. This time if sunday morning comes around, and "someone else wants us to wait and go with"...they're SOL. I'm friggin going.
~s
I'm off at 8... so I think I'm going to have to insist :)
Lizzer
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