My Aikido Journey
21, Summer break, friends – “Hey, let’s try Aikido!”. A lot of rolling, getting thrown, kind of fun, scary.
41, married, baby twin daughters, I gotta protect them, don’t want a gun, I join my friend at Aikido.
5 years, A glimpse of the power of Ki.
Is there more?
I call Sensei Naluai, he invites me to Wednesday class, I meet Eric Sensei.
There is more.
“Aikido is love, mind and body unification, stay calm under pressure. Why? To have a meaningful life. Set your goal, speak it into existence, practice, expect and persevere through problems, partner-up, get a good mentor, reap your destiny!”
When? Now!
Character is revealed and developed through test and all of life is a test.
5 years. Sensei Boyer says: “I want you to test. “Yes, Sensei”. You have to learn 20 arts. “Yes, Sensei”. 5 with a knife. “Yes, Sensei”. Ken and Jo. “Yes, Sensei”. And 4 people will attack you…at once. “Yes, Sensei”.
“What is the knife called?”
PUT POSITIVE THOUGHTS INTO YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS
SET THE GOAL
FOCUS
PRACTICE with who, when. Figure it out.
I’m tired…PRACTICE.
PERSEVERANCE
Sensei Boyer asks: “who is your Uke?” “I don’t know”. Ask someone.
“Fenix, would you be my Uke?” “Yes.” Thank you. All of Lokahi supports me.
GRATITUDE
Sensei Naluai says: “you know, Native Americans walk on their toes with their feet facing forward.”
ATTITUDE
Seminar Weekend. Wow, this came fast.
Curtis Sensei’s theme: Be open to the unknown and connect, especially when you don’t want to. And, he promises to help me by changing my understanding of the Arts…and he fulfills his promise.
OMG, fear, doubt, I’m not ready, I can’t, If I leave now I can save myself.
I am ready, I can, I’m staying – never give up.
OK, I’ll stay, but I’ve got to keep to myself, stay away.
Connect. Serve. Otomo. Get out of yourself. PRACTICE.
It’s Time. Heart pounding. Supportive Uke, Ki Society, friends, and family all here for support LOVE. Hey, this feels good. You mean it’s over?
Reflection – what did I learn:
FOCUS, CONNECTION, PERSEVERANCE, PRACTICE, ATTITUDE, GRATITUDE, SPIRIT, LOVE
Looking forward – I anticipate my journey – open to the unknown.
I’m Listening.