Aikido Part One

For years I have wanted to try some kind of martial art. I’m not sure when or why it started but I just had this very strong desire to learn.

I find the grace of the movements beautiful to watch. I love how strong and powerful students of martial arts become. The amount of mental focus and perseverance involved is amazing. It takes a lifetime to become really good; the effort and dedication required is not to be taken lightly.

It’s the ultimate challenge.

I first learned about aikido in high school when one of my friends told me about his experiences with it. When I expressed my intention of one day trying out a martial art, he recommended aikido as the best one for me to do. His reasoning was that anyone, no matter your age or gender or body type, can learn aikido. Because of this, for years I have found aikido to be especially appealing. I am all for any activity that doesn’t discriminate against my height!

My friend Alana started aikido several months ago and has successfully recruited me to join her group (THANK YOU ALANA!). It has taken a month or two for me to finally get involved, but I figured that with Reading Week (aka spring break) just around the corner, now is the perfect time to take some classes.

Thus on Wednesday evening I found myself observing a 2-hour aikido class.

Just from what I saw, I know that I am going to love aikido. The sensei is incredibly nice and welcoming and it was really interesting to see the progression of skill among the students with varying levels of experience.

It’s going to be tough. This is not something which you learn how to do in a day; it is developed over a very long period of time. I am so eager to learn! Classes are four times a week and tonight is my first session of actively taking part. I have a feeling remembering the appropriate etiquette is going to be a big part of the challenge 🙂

At the end of the class on Wednesday, the sensei explained how important it is to come to class with an open mind. He said that if we arrive with our cup empty, they can then be filled up during the session. I think that this message is central to many areas of our lives. Going into any situation, we can’t always assume that we know best or have the most experience or understand what’s going on better than the others around us. We have to arrive with a fresh clean slate ready to be written on, by both ourselves and others. Being willing to listen, ask questions, and consider new perspectives are all going to open the doors for us to learn and progress.

Have you ever tried martial arts (or aikido in particular)? What did you think of it? Share your pearls of wisdom!