How to Practice Aikido
You may be wondering why such title for a blog especially when it is implying how to practice with your Aikido, well it is not about telling you technically for sure but expressing how I have been feeling practicing my Aikido for years. Even more so since pandemic began making my own videos to share freely with the view to help each other stay positive and not giving up Aikido because we could not be making any physical contacts for a while...
For those who have been following my journey since being a member of the Aspire Aikido London group, and even following me before I re-launched Aspire Aikido London, you will have seen how relentlessly motivated I have been (and still am) and more so when I re-launched Aspire Aikido London Dojo in Hendon Central, London.
It is obvious to say that I could not have done all these if I did not love Aikido. Aikido is part of me and part of my life which helps me be stronger and accept who I am with my profound hearing disability. With Aikido, I feel I can focus in life with work, family & Aikido.
With love and dedication, I practice Aikido to continuously improve and research, maintaining the mindset of beginner day by day, which not only help me progress to becoming a better person but also help me stay humble.
If anyone is serious about wanting to learn Aikido (same applies for any other Martial Arts), we must know that we are here to polish and forge our body, spirit and mind as one, which make us stronger individuals with strong focus and to be better human beings.
I can also speak for myself that I have inside me a ‘burning flame’ or inner voice that encourages me to do more and to continue – it may be called ‘motivation’ but to me I call this ‘the burning flame’ that one should keep it burning for as long as you possibly can – if the flame is gone, your desire to improve disappear (your motivation is gone too).
But you can keep the burning flame inside you even if you feel you have not got the technique right or you feel it felt wrong doing the technique at any one point – I would call this ‘determination’, no matter what, you persist and continue to practice over and over again – but you need this ‘burning flame’ inside you to stay on.
With this in mind, you will attain this quality of falling eight times and getting up nine times – when you feel this, you are closer to being a true warrior. You simply will not give up – the only way is up.
The only thing that may tempt you to give up is your mind, not your body – remember this. Your body may be broken, tired but if your mind is strongly determined you will still find the strength to get up, continue and do it again. Your mind will forge your body and your body forges your mind and spirit.
Another positive thing, I could share when you feel down about a technique not to despair but on the contrary to rejoice this moment, as are becoming aware of your errors – so you are moving up to a new level, knowing what to do to avoid doing making the same mistake(s) next time...
When you feel not so great, focus on the positive of what you have and you will be instantly feeling much better and be more ready to try again. Why, because your confidence will be with you to build your Aikido further.
To me that is how one should practice Aikido and beyond Aikido ie in your life. Easier said than done – I know.
But when you practice in a Dojo, in my view, the environment and the teacher should instigate positivity and conducive atmosphere, which will help you feel good and happy to come in and practice again and again without any ill intention from anyone who could hurt you.
If you practice in a Dojo where you are thinking of quitting, then something could be wrong, It may be that Aikido is not for you but you could be surrounded with people perhaps who are not supporting you enough to make you want to continue practicing Aikido.
Aikido should make anyone feel great during and at the end of any class.
When I joined Tony Sargeant’s Organisation (TIAE - Takemusu Iwama Aikido Europe association), everyone made me feel truly welcome like I was part of family and the kindness of the people touched me right in my heart. Tony’s partner Jane was absolutely wonderful at every Aikido event I attended (and is a great cook by the way spoiling us all during our lunch breaks), meeting Nigel Porter Sensei, Richard Small Sensei, Kevin Haywood Sensei, John Garmston Sensei, Paul Weston Sensei, Jenny Ousey Sensei, Laurence Hobson Sensei, Stuart Jeffs Sensei, Alexander Gent Sensei, Raj Soren Sensei (apologies if I missed anyone) were all amazing to meet collectively and individually and when you are in this kind of environment you definitely want the day to be much longer so that we can practice, talk and share our passions with Aikido and beyond.
More recently, having flown to Spain to meet and joined an Aikido seminar with Said Sebbagh Sensei. I was so excited about this trip and met Said Sensei and his close entourage Tewfik Sebbagh Sensei, Jose Manuel Barea Ramos Sensei and a few of his senior students, I was made instantly welcome as being part of the whole Aikido family. It was truly magical.
Despite the language barrier, we were able to understand each other, we exchanged a great deal of knowledge that I was so excited and happy all the time that it was one of the best Aikido seminars I had attended to.
It is actually amazing how Aikido can bring people together practicing peacefully. We bonded so nicely during the entire seminar that I was feeling really sad leaving this seminar on day 4. Said Sebbagh Sensei delivered a sensational Aikido seminar and I was returning home, more on fire than I came, with a strong desire to do more and work on my personal Aikido adding new things that I learnt from Said Sebbagh Sensei.
To me that is how one should practice Aikido – practice the Art with a good heart, feeling happy and with positive mindset and with fresh eyes (beginners eyes) each time so that you are willing to change, willing to improve. Give up your ego and with determination, you will inevitably get one step further and higher even if it is a small step at a time (better than none)!