Definition of Aikido...

Lots of times when the subject comes up during a discussion, I am asked to describe what precisely Aikido is. The first images conjured in someone's mind when they learn that you do a martial art, is one of kicking and punching and breaking things. Today in my search for Aikido reading material, I came across this synopsis of one of the books I am interested in:

"Aikido, the "gentleman's fighting art," neutralizes aggression and renders attackers harmless without injuring them. By controlling body position and understanding its simple physical premises, anyone-regardless of size, strength or weight-can fend off attacks using this sophisticated martial art."

In my mind this is but one way of summing it up nicely.

Been a while...

It's been a while since I posted. I figured instead of posting about each and every class which would be - let's face it - a bit of a task, I'll just reduce the granularity a bit and post less regularly and keep things on a higher level.

It's been nearly a month since I started on my Ki Aikido journey. Lots of little things I've noticed:

• I've had less of a need to remain medicated. Yes, I've been on Lexapro for almost three years now, trying to get rid of the constant depression that has been haunting me for years. Since training for a few weeks now I've been able to start tapering off on my medication. It has all kinds of negative side effects which I could do without. The general feeling of improved spirit seems to be fighting my depression.
• My body is responding to the training physically. I can already feel slight improvements in posture, movement seems to come a bit more easily and freely.
• Weight loss. This is a biggie for me - pun intended. Ive always been stocky, even when I was far below 100k's I was still a 2XL. The last rough few years have really taken its toll on my body. Before training I was rocking a 135.7kg's. Now I've started making changes and recording my weight weekly to see if things are improving, and I am glad to say that so far my weight has gone down by 600grams. Slowly but surely. As I progress I'll surely add more activity and my weight loss will speed up.

As far as training goes - classes have started getting a bit more active. Previously I think we spent more time as new starters getting our heads around the basics, now we are spending more time working on techniques, which causes this old unfit body of mine to wonder what the hell is going on!

Author - 6th kyu and note the brand new dogi

 I also managed to find a dogi that fits this "unique physique" of mine. The one provided by my Sensei just didn't fit quite well (also its more suited to Karate than Aikido), so I had to hunt around a bit for a place that sold dogi's of different cuts to try on. In my hunting for a place that sells good quality gear I ended up at a place just down the road from where I live - Aussie Power. This is a business run from a house, initially I thought it was going to be a waste of time, but I am so glad I stumbled upon this little gem. The owner Abdul originally from Pakistan was extremely helpful and friendly, he presented me with two sized and I fitted one then and there and straight out of the pack it was a perfect fit! Good quality materials and fit. The whole dogi including belt was $50! I ended up buying two - one to train in, one for the washing. Check out his stock at Aussie Power - highly recommended.

Impressions after introductory lesson

I am sore.

Shoulders. Lats. Forearms.

Sore.

Class started off talking about what Ki in Ki Aikido is all about. We were shown how to find your one point, how this affects your posture. We discussed balance and why having proper balance and posture is important not only in Aikido, but in general day to day life.

Sensei also demonstrated Ki breathing techniques. While at this point in time I have no idea how to really perform it, we all attempted it. It is a skill you have to grow, over time, you become more adept to it and can perform the exhalation and inhalation phases over longer periods of time, until you cover the 22 second cycle of blood circulation in the body on the inhalation phase.

While the more senior students then carried on with some techniques we beginners (there were three of us - myself, my wife and another girl) we shown more examples of Ki like unbend-able arm as further demonstrations of Ki applications.

Then we did some sword drills using Bokken, basic forward downward cuts and footwork. As a result of that and my extrememly unfit state - I am sore.

But looking forward to my Monday night class. Sensei has decided to open the dojo for Monday nights as well as a purely beginners class, so he can focus on the absolute basics without boring the more advanced students to tears.

Introductory lesson

Tonight is my first actual lesson where I step onto the mat.

For the first time in many years, I will actually be stepping into a Dojo and onto a training mat: a student.

I am beyond excited.

I know that this journey will be unending, loaded with challenges, failures, set backs. But I know the benefits and rewards reaped from a life of following the Way of Harmony will far outstrip any negatives, negatives which should not be seen as negatives really, but learning opportunities.

The beginning of a journey...

My Ki Aikido journey started today. Actually it started last night when I was introduced to Ki Aikido and some concepts around Ki in Ki Aikido by Geissner Sensei of Melbourne Ki Aikido.

For so long I've dabbled in the martial arts - ITF Taekwondo/JKD/AMOK! - trying out various styles, but always it felt to me like I wasn't a good fit. I'm not criticizing any style, they just didn't gel with my personal feelings and beliefs.

I grew up always being interested in martial arts, but my Father being a skeptic about all things Eastern in general, forbade me from joining any martial arts schools, while all my friends did Judo and Karate, all I had were my books to read. This lead to me reading a lot about Aikido and the philosophies behind it, and as such something in Aikido always appealed to me. The Way of Harmony - the phrase seems to resonate with something inside me.

I've just gone through a few years of relative hell - everything that could go wrong went wrong. At points in my life the last couple of years it felt like my life had totally fallen apart, and my health started suffering. With suffering health came a suffering mind, or perhaps the mind suffered first,but in the end even my work was affected negatively.

My wife and I decided to move down to Melbourne for a fresh start. We decided on a neighbourhood to settle in, once we had an address I started googling for martial arts clubs. Great was my suprise to find a Ki Aikido dojo within spitting distance from where we now live! That had to be another sign!

I heard the call of Aikido for a third time. This time I am heeding it. One can only resist and ignore it for so long.

This blog is written with the idea of documenting my life and my journey as I train in Ki Aikido. Hopefully I can show someone out there what difference it will make to your life in all aspects. I will add photo's and videos, I will endeavor to update it regularly, and will from time to time add links and information related to Aikido in general as I stumble across them in my training.

Welcome and thanks for reading my blog.

Yours in Ki
BeeTee