Aikido Day 4: Beer and Katanas a happy Dustin make.

Well I made it though my first week of Aikido training. This is no small feat for a man who finds himself a bit out of shape of body and mind. I do feel a bit of pride in making it so far. This week I ordered my dogi (aka 'gi') and it should arrive here in the next couple of days. I know it comes with a white belt of its own, but I have to ask Sensei if I can use my old Obi from prior trainings. I know this may sound off or odd but I feel there is enough energy stored in there from old times that might be helpful in my future, but then again when I look back at the times when I was last traning, I also wonder if there might be some old things I might not want to bring with me on this chapter of my journey... I shall think on this later.

This week I sadly found myself not able to get to the dojo when I woul dhave liked because of shows and rehearsals (aaaaahhhhh the theatre life), Finally though I was able to free up my Weds Night and get into class. As I stepped into the dojo i was greeted by several now familiar faces which is always pleasent. I quickly changed and headed to my spot on the mat. Warmups went just a little bit easier this time around... progress? There are two parts of the warm-ups I am struggling with a bit... one... what I we used to call in wrestling the duck walk. This particular exercise you start from your knees and walk about the space never leaving the ground but extending your legs as fully as you can. My knees, yeah they REALLY aren't a fan of this, but I press on. I am holding to my old wrestling addage 'Pain is just weakness leaving the body.' The second part I am having troubles with is where we roll back and try to touch our toes to the ground behind us... This is a trifle embarassing, but this actually REALLY doesn't go well for me. I get stuck not being able to breathe. I am pretty sure its because I have a belly. Now all things in their own time, but this is really beginning to be motivation for me to cut weight.

Class was interesting this time for me. First techniques we worked was something we worked the first day with a minor change. Cool!!! Sensei told us to go work with partners... There was an odd number of students... so I was all alone. Matt grabbed me and another student and we worked in threes. I also worked with Chris another black belt in this manner. The next technique we were shown was familiar to me from Kenpo. It was a simple block to the side while stepping in. The block itself turn into a punch as Sensei says, 'to give them a littel something to think about.' and then you follow in with a deep strike to the stomach. This was the first technique I actually felt completely comfortable with. COOL!!! Now this time Enmei Sensei grabbed me and one of the ladies in the class. I THINK her name was Christine, but I cannot be sure. What DID stand out about her is she is a dead ringer for my sister in about 5 to 8 years. Enmei and she worked, then Enmei stepped aside. I attacked Christine she stepped to the side and blocked and POP!!! Yes. She DID give me a bit to think about.  Straight to the kisser.  It was a very light pop to the mouth but just enough to wake me up. She felt awful and apologized up and down. I just laughed and tried to assure her that she won't break me THAT easily. After that moment she was slightly more timid in her technique which made me sad actually. While I appreciate the gentleness that is the norm in this dojo, I DO miss getting popped in the kisser every now and again. Makes one feel alive and reminds them there IS danger in what we are doing.  Part of me also really misses sparring something fierce.  I dunno, maybe I miss the danger, the battle of two people, or the test of my abilities... or maybe sparring is a huge ego stroke for me on occasion...

After repeating the technique back and fourth some Sensei stops us and clarifies a few finer points of the technique. The one big thing he comments on is hip movement. 'This is not winding up with all of your hips as is common in many contemporary Chinese and mixed arts...' I have to think that comment was directed at me. The things is when I checked in with myself while doing the technique I was indeed coiling my hips. Old habits die hard.  The thing is, this technique lends itself really well to and setups perfectly a large power shot since you are breaking inside their defense and opening up their belly. I shall endeavour to repeat Sensei's wishes though. I am guessing there is a reason to not setup for the power, but I am not sure what it is right now.

Class moved very quickly... then I stayed. Tonight was to be my first weapons class. I asked Matt briefly if I was allowed to stay. I know many schools do not allow weapons training until a certain rank. Nope, everyone is welcome to take part. AWESOME!!!! I was given brief instruction in respect to the weapon, the space, and teacher. I DID feel in a bit over my head at several points during the class but everyone was VERY patient with me. Weapons class was not taught by Sensei Meido however. It was taught by Sensei Enmei. I have to say it was quite refreshing to have a different teacher with some different energy. For the most part we worked one technique the whole class. Much to my chagrin and against my best efforts, I must have been showing some form of frustration as it was said to me many times, this is a very advanced technique, don't worry, you're doing very well.' I am never sure what to think of those sorts of comments. I am always concerned people are just ego stoking me to keep me going, but then again, this technique requires setting the opponent up with a feint, letting them attack and beating their time to cut directly at their hands... Simpe enough right... Well except for the fact that as Uke (the agressor normally, but in this the oppoenent of the technique) if you do not react in time you end up getting a lovely wrapping as is someone is tapping not so gently on your chamber door.  You would think after one shot to the top of my thumb, I would learn to react quicker.  NOPE.  I think I might like pain or something.  CRACK!  Again  CRACK!  DAMMIT Again... CRACK.  Well needless to say the top of my right thumb knuckle is bruised all to hell and feels a bit stiff.  Live and Learn I guess.  I think my biggest struggle with this Bokken style is doing everything right handed.  I am so fraking left handed it is sort of insane.  Although it I think is a good thing since it means I have to basically learn from the beginning and can break any bad habits I might have picked up... or so one would think. One correction I had consistently in this class... my sword point was grabbed and moved directly over my opponents head. THIS GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER LEARNED IN STAGE COMABT!!!! Wait... what?? Oh this isn't stage combat anymore? Ohhhhh... its the real deal? I see. Yeah, stage combat training strikes again and again and again.  AIM AT THE PERSON 'D' they are trying to kill you.  After class Enmei apologized to me several times saying she should have given me more of a tutorial on stances and things. I assured her I was okay and trying to pick up as fast as I can. After putting away my Bokken, there was a genral request for people to stay and help clean as well as unpack some stuff for Sesshin ... Sesshin I found out later in the night is a sort of Zen meditative retreat where you end up meditating for something like 14+ hours a day and EVERYTHING is ritualized... including eating. I am not ready for this. In taking stuff down, Sensei Meido puts out a case of beer. I went to grab it and put it with all the other things.. 'No,' Sensei says smiling to me,' Take One if you like.' WAIT WHAT???? THERE'S BEER HERE???!!!!!!!! YES!!!!! 'One thing about Japanese martial Artist is they tend to drink... A LOT... Here we don't drink ALOT, but we DO drink. Enjoy.' So we all finished the chores at hand, cracked our beers and sat on the mat for a while. I have to say it was pretty awesome getting to know my dojo brothers and sisters a bit while knocking back a cold one.  I made a joke that wasn't well recieved... I should have know, puns are NOT for everyone.  Enmei said as she finally plopped down on the mat, I am so not sitting Seiza(kneeling as if ready to meditate).  I responded, nope, you're sitting Cervaza.  Hey I thought it was funny.  Oh well, I guess it takes a special crowd to get my humor.  After Weds night, I REALLY am starting to like it here. Yeah the beer is cool and all but really I am loving that so many people will just sit and BS after class and share something.  I think Meido was right on the website saying that in today's electronic age we are so used to being disconnected and distanced from everyone and in the dojo you HAVE to have intimate contact with your partners.  Shared experiences like this form a bond that is rare to find in any context in today's world. It is one of those moments in my life that I see a common bond between people and warm my heart and soul on a unique level. I really can't wait to go to class again... the only problem, my grandiose plans for class over the weekend were dashed apparently when Sesshin is happening all the regular classes are canceled. That's okay, it will let me focus on work anyway...

Two things I learned very specifically about weapons training. Keep the tip pointed to the back of the class room. And when bowing to a partner on your knees place the sword to your sword and not in front of you. Apparently to the front symbolizes your willingness and readiness to draw you weapon. Not what we want for friendly training exercises.

My quick reflections on this class... I might want to try and unlearn my Kenpo AND my stage combat training. While many of the fundamentals remain I wonder if my pension for big winding movements of my hips for power and my inability to actually aim AT my opponent are going to hurt me in the long run.  I wonder if it is necessary to unlearn it but maybe try to adjust it to fit this form.  The hardest part is going to be the stage combat. I think I may ask this of Roshi next time I am at meditation.

Until next time...