Aikido World Alliance Spring 2016 Newsletter

If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly. -O’Sensei

Letter from the Editor attack with aggressive force, rather than a harmonious Rob Linxweiler, Nidan blend, I have become the aggressor. Or at least, I have Kiku Matsu Dojo, Chicago, IL joined the aggressor team.

Greetings from Chicago, fellow aikidoka, and welcome We blend with an attack to dispel it, but if we are to our first newsletter of 2016. We are grateful to spend not in control of our own aggression, we risk injury to another year of training with friends new and old. I ourselves, our attacker, or both. And while most of apologize for the tardiness of this edition. our training is on the mat, we should carry that same notion out the door of the dojo and into the world. If Here in the United States, we have found ourselves we bring the same calm, centered balance that we embroiled in one of the most contentious election strive for in the dojo to our daily lives, we can hope seasons most of us can recall. Opinions are extremely to engage in civil discourse without risking injury— polarized, and violence—both verbal and physical— physical or otherwise—to ourselves or our opponents. has found its way to the fore around the country as the extremes meet. We live in a country that values Look for opportunities to extend your practice free expression, so we should be able to objectively outside the dojo. As you navigate the world of ego, self- welcome the wide variety that forms our political interest, and miscommunication, turn your mind tenkan spectrum. As dedicated aikidoka, however, it’s difficult and blend with your aggressor. Rather than meet their to watch these displays without feeling that we should intention head-on, blend and dissipate. Look to your own be able to do better, and perhaps to guide others to a intentions to be sure you have not become the aggressor. more enlightened perspective. May your practice be fruitful! What can we do to help? O’Sensei often spoke in abstract terms, but there is always value to be found in his words:

“To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.”

When he mentions controlling aggression, O’Sensei doesn’t really specify who the aggressor is. I always assumed that he was talking about the “other guy,” because I’m not the aggressor, right? But if I meet an NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS: DAN PROMOTIONS:

A Letter from Sensei by Sato Sensei...... 4 Shodan Masakatsu Agatsu—The Only True Victory Is Victory Jeremy McMillan, Kiku Matsu Dojo, IL Over Oneself by Mary Tracey...... 5 Aleksander Schwartzman, NYAA, NY On the Road by Laura DeGraff Sensei...... 6 Hidehiro Beppo, Aikido of Rossmoor, CA Glenden Johnson, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Golf and Aikido by Eric Bigelow...... 6 Brayden Ours, White Eagle Dojo, WV Ode to Northwest Camp by Anthony Tolbert...... 8 Frank Randall, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Shodan Essay—What Is Shugyo? by John Caldwell...... 9 Ted Whalen, Aikido of Rossmoor, CA What Aikido Means to Me by Curtis Ross...... 9 Lori Hargis Johnson, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Maxwell Johnson, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Nidan Essay: Aikido History and the Future of Aikido David Kreutzer, Gishinkan Dojo, NC by Yuki Matsuoka...... 11 Anthony Lewis, Shoseikan Dojo, TN Yondan Essay: The Application of Aikido in My Daily Deborah Phillipeck, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Life by Simone Maranto...... 11 Joanna Zabulewicz, Wadokan Dojo, Poland Everything I Know about Life I Could Have Learned Germania Solorzano, Kiku Matsu Dojo, IL from Katatekosadori Kotegaeshi: A Comedy of Joseph Hendrzak, Valley Forge Aikido, PA Metaphors...... 16 Robert Steinberg, Valley Forge Aikido, PA Seminar Calendar...... 17 Ronald J. Wegrzyn, Valley Forge Aikido, PA Abdelhafid Roubache, Musashi Dojo, Qatar NEWSLETTER PRODUCTION STAFF: David Binder, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA John Hannon, Editor, Petaluma, CA Tammy S. Gordon, Hemlock Bluffs Aikido, NC Kris Sumner, Editor, Kiku Matsu Dojo, Chicago, IL Jamie Renell, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Rob Linxweiler, Editor, Kiku Matsu Dojo, Chicago, IL Fred Mautz, AWA Photographer, Lakewood, CO Tereza Trifonova, Shiseikan Dojo, Bulgaria Mariana Stanchev, Shiseikan Dojo, Bulgaria To make newsletter suggestions and submissions for consider- Adrian Atanasov, Razgrad Dojo, Bulgaria ation, email [email protected] or [email protected]. Ventsislav Trifonov, Shiseikan Dojo, Bulgaria ANNOUNCEMENTS: Daniel Trifonov, Shiseikan Dojo, Bulgaria Petar Rumenov, Shiseikan Dojo, Bulgaria Katsurada Returns! October 6 to 9, 2016, Katsurada Shihan will return for Fall Matt Poulson, Wadokan Dojo, Texas Camp. See you there! Nidan Congratulations! Robin Johnson, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Welcome to the AWA family Colin Claud, born to proud Ken Kondell, Kimeshinkan Dojo, AZ parents Erin & Eric Claud of Mid South Aikido! Kristin Sumner, Kiku Matsu Dojo, IL Congratulations to Vic Robinson Sensei of Aikido of Adam Gaweda, Gishinkan Dojo, NC Morgantown who welcomed a new granddaughter! Laura Ann Galdamez, Wadokan Dojo, TX Congratulations to George Minasov of Kiku Matsu Dojo Joseph Nash, Gishinkan Dojo, NC and Iryna Shmuylo on their wedding! Tony Ventimiglia, Gishinkan Dojo, NC Jason Schneider, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Congratulations to David and Laura (Hiles) Galdamez of Wadokan Dojo on their wedding! Justin Thompson, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Anthony Tolbert, Kiku Matsu Dojo, IL NEW DOJOS: Robert Linxweiler, Kiku Matsu Dojo, IL Kimeshinkan Dojo in Glendale, AZ Piyatissa Perera, Musashi Dojo, Qatar Kirtland AFB Aikido Club in KAFB, NM Alexander Reiss, Musashi Dojo, Qatar Hemlock Bluffs Aikido in Cary, NC Dennis Lam, Aikido of Rossmoor, CA(continued) 2 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

DAN PROMOTIONS: (continued)

Pete Murphy, Wadokan Dojo, TX Frank Peng, Aikido of Rossmoor, CA Krista Roland, Wadokan Dojo, TX Greg Schneiderman, Aikido of South Brooklyn, NY John Thomas, Shoskinkan Dojo, TN Frank Bouchonville, Zen Arts Center, NJ

Sandan John Croser, Musashi Dojo, Qatar Stephanie Flores, Aikido of South Brooklyn, NY John Lothes II, UNCW Aikido Dojo, NC Gifford Pace, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Mark Favaloro, White Eagle Dojo, WV Michael McGuigan, Aikido of South Brooklyn, NY Mateusz Wojosiechowski, Kishinkan Dojo, Poland Paul D’Amato, Kiku Matsu Dojo, IL Oscar Canals-Maldonado, Bayamon Dojo, Puerto Rico Van Scott Fisher, Keishinkan Dojo, TN Aleksey Gurevich, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA John Kevin Ryan, Aikido of Rossmoor, CA Johan Willem Schutz, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Carlos Juan Rosario, Bayamon Dojo, Puerto Rico

Yondan Jonathan Knipping, Kiku Matsu Dojo, IL Simone Maranto, Kyushinkan Dojo, GA Aaron Dale, Keishinkan Dojo, TN

Rokudan Richard Price, Kure Beach Aikido, NC

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picture treatments: 0.25pt black stroke, 50% drop shadow from upper right.

A Letter from Sensei to confront whether we did it correctly or not. Many Andrew Sato Shihan, Rokudan times our partners support that illusion by not saying any- AWA Chief Instructor thing or even giving us a pat “there ya go” or “good Kiku Matsu Dojo, Chicago, IL job!”

It is not comfortable for any of us to confront ourselves The Winds of Change and our shortcomings. At the moment of the attack and counter in aikido we have a chance to make it all Here we are closing in at the end of another year in life, alright. It is only a brief moment or glimpse, but if we re- both on and off the mats. Fall always brings that thought member to we can seize any insight and work on it. This closer to home for me. I see the colors turn, feel the crisp- is how we open up to changing our way of thinking, do- ness in the air and memories and once forgotten parts of ing and being. I can’t count the many chances I have my life both sadly and gladly return to my mind. had and missed how many times I let the moment of insight slip away. What I can say is that the few times We all try our best in life but when things don’t go our I have acted on those insights have been some of the way sometimes excuses of why it didn’t work or why it best times in life for me. Seeing it, understanding it and wasn’t our fault come to mind as a defense against ad- then doing something about it can bring such a great mitting that we might have screwed up…. feeling of release. It is what keeps me going. Even better is having an opportunity to make a change arise after How can we as students of aikido learn to use the prin- you thought it was too late. ciples and tools of this art to become better, not just in our waza, but as humans relating to each other? On the 2015 celebrates the AWA ten year anniversary. We mat we get to do over each technique we bungle until have grown up, had success, made some mistakes and we feel it is good enough, passable, or will work. But do through it all we’ve come out ok. Our next year should we ever ask our partner how they felt about it? Did it be even better as we change, mature and become actually work? Was it passable? Was it good enough? even more dynamic as an Aikido community. Don’t let We don’t often ask each other, “How did it go for you?” the opportunities in your life be missed, change is the When our perspective is one-sided and we don’t have only constant in the way…..

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Masakatsu Agatsu—The Only True Victory is Victory progress in rank by trying your best Over Oneself day after day, without being perfect. Mary Tracey, Nidan In aikido, the self-correcting student who Roshinkan Dojo, Spokane, WA works hard on their own is often the student most de- pended on by others in their dojo. In today’s society, there is a push to be perfect, be the best, have the most up-to-date gadget, the best time, The aikido prize for dependability is hanging on almost all the most picturesque everything from food, to weddings of our walls, on our shelves, in our phones, on our Face- and friends. The pressure to be perfect is everywhere book pages, or, if nowhere else, it is in our minds. It is the and oppressive. Rarely does society value the quiet per- smiling face of our uke, our nage, or our sensei as we son who just shows up to do their job each day. The figure out something after failing over and over again. Nobel Prize for dependability has never been awarded and never will. The picture hugging your fellow aikidoka at a celebra- tion. The facebook post of your sensei finally laughing at Unless you train in aikido. Have a problem in aikido? your super cheesy aikido jokes—because after all “this is Simple solution, just train. The best student? The one how I roll, hakama can’t get up?” aren’t funny but they who shows up and tries, over and over. Doing a tech- make you feel better when you forget left from right or nique wrong? Try it again. You fell down? We all fall get frustrated. down, just get up. It’s hard? We all think it’s hard, and we’ll struggle with you. You’ve never done it perfect? Me either. So keep messing up. Keep falling down. Every day you show up and it’s hard is one more memory that be- “Fall down eight times, get up nine.” comes your aikido prize for dependability. It’s one more —Japanese Proverb chance to inspire a dojomate. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to do your best. You don’t have In aikido you can make mistakes. In aikido, you can anyone to beat except yourself…. Have you heard that progress in rank by trying your best day after day, with- someone before?

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On the Road Laura DeGraff Sensei, Godan AWA Technical and Teaching Committee Member Kiku Matsu Dojo, Chicago, IL

Greetings fellow Aikidoka! I hope you are all enjoying the waning days of summer and savoring the last bits of warm temps as the days shorten and grow cool. Fall is always a bittersweet time of year for me. The coming chill of winter not only reminds me of the passing of time, but also how much I dislike the cold weather. Luckily for me, I head to Puerto Rico the second weekend of December every year for one of my favorite seminars. Stepping out of the airport in San Juan and smelling that warm tropical air is one of my treasured experiences, which I look forward to every year. This year will be no exception! My flight is booked, and I’m counting the weeks.

As I’m writing this, we have just completed another successful Fall Camp at Kyushinkan Dojo in Roswell, Georgia. This year’s camp brought the return of some In the last five weeks, I have participated in four semi- friends who I hadn’t seen in years. It also brought new nars. I am blessed. I am also tired. As I share stories of students that I’d never met. The ebb and flow of people how I spent my weekends with my coworkers, I can see in and out of each other’s lives is so evident in Aikido. by the looks on their faces that they just don’t get it. Until I am forever impressed and grateful for the ties that Aiki- you experience it, you don’t understand. Our training is do creates. Our hugs and smiles as we greet each other not just something we do for ourselves, it is a gift we can off the mat are quickly replaced by throws and pins as share with each other. we take our friendship onto the mat. The same warmth that we felt when we embraced each other in greeting I wish you all much happiness as this year draws to a is felt in the powerful throw, lovingly delivered as we slam close. 2016 seminars are already posted on the AWA each other into the mat. People who don’t train can’t website. Check your schedules, mark your calendars, understand it. It can’t be explained. It is a unique gift book your flights. I’ll look for each and every one of you that we give to each other and receive with open arms in the new year. and welcoming smiles.

A dear friend of mine was at the seminar in Atlanta this Golf and Aikido year. He is not a member of AWA. I had not seen him Eric Bigelow, 1st Kyu in a few years. He had suffered a devastating loss and Valley Forge Aikido, King of Prussia, PA battled physical challenges. Seeing him walk into the dojo brought tears to my eyes. We all have personal Living in Pennsylvania, I find myself daydreaming at this lives off of the mat, and we all have challenges we deal time of year of warmer climates with greener pastures, with, but the connections we have made through our specifically, greener pastures that include a tee box, a training remain strong and provide an anchor for us— flag stick, and a little dimpled ball. For some people, they give us comfort and ground us. Being on the mat like aikido, golf can become an obsession. Practice can with my friend in Atlanta was one of the highlights of the become a form of physical meditation with the pursuit of weekend. Seeing that he was OK and back on the mat creating a fluid, relaxed, deliberate movement to be re- made me certain that he would survive. peated over and over again until the muscles know the movement without the brain. I have played (continued)

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in the right order but still not create the forces, momentum, or fluidity to put the ball in the fairway—I mean to execute the technique with effectiveness.

Another often overlooked ingredient by most people when attempting a golf swing is to stay relaxed. One can hit a golf ball using arm and shoulder muscles. In fact, most golfers think that muscling the golf club is how one creates club head speed, which creates more dis- tance. This is really not the case. The reality is that one can hit the golf ball much further using less muscle, re- laxing the arms and shoulders and using your body and hips to swing the golf club. It is much easier to release the golf club through the ball and create momentum with relaxed arms. The more one creates tension in one’s arms, the more restricted the movement and the slower the golf swing. It would seem that same holds true for aikido. Many of us in kyu ranks have been told repeat- (continuation) golf for almost 30 years, and although, edly not to muscle our way through a technique and one could say I likely would have “dan” ranking in the that remaining relaxed allows us to stay connected to sport if it were applicable, I can always improve, and I try our uke. From experience, it seems that staying relaxed to approach the game with the same beginner’s mind also helps to generate power in my movements. with which I approach aikido. If I could be so bold as to offer advice that I have taken from my golf game and applied to my aikido journey, In many ways, learning aikido technique is very similar to that advice would be related to keeping just one thought learning a golf swing. I find that this thought frequently in your mind when attempting to execute learned tech- creeps into my brain when practicing or learning an ai- nique. I find this especially helpful in ukemi. (continued) kido technique. In golf, frequently, trying to put all of the small pieces together can be difficult. Learning the sequence of events in a golf swing does not mean that executing the sequence will be pretty. In fact, for many people this sequence of events is downright ugly. My ex- perience shows me that the same is true for executing aikido technique. Timing, fluidity, relaxation all help to build the momentum of the squaring of the club face to the ball, but unless you can square the club face to the ball those things will only help you generate more club head speed for hitting the ball into the woods. This seems similar in aikido. First, one must learn the funda- mentals of aikido with deliberate practice. Squaring the club face and creating the sequence of motions that result in a properly applied nikkyo or koshinage do not seem terribly different to me. One can learn the sequence of events in each technique and still have difficulty executing the technique. In aikido, sensei of- ten talks about the necessity of practicing a technique slowly and smoothly versus a series of stops and starts. A person can put all of the pieces of an aikido technique 7 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

(continuation) In golf, we are taught just to have one “swing thought” when taking a meaningful swing at a golf ball. This idea has been very helpful to me aikido. Learning to breakfall for the first time can be a leap of faith quite literally. You practice all of the drills, you put your body in all of the right positions, you pull out the crash mat, and then you give it a try. At first, you put your foot here and your hand there. You picture your feet flying through the air while keeping your head off the ground. You try to imagine what part of your body is going to hit where and when. You try to tell your body to do seven or eight different things and then “bang,” you land on the mat in what feels like a very uncoordinated sequence of movements. You crash on a crash mat so it only hurts a little bit, but you get up wondering what went wrong. You did all the drills leading to this point. It is in this experience of trying to fall without pain that I re- alized that my “swing thought” was the same cognitive activity as keeping my mind empty or focused on just one point, and suddenly there was success, in my case. Now I just have to recreate and practice this sequence Ode to Northwest Camp of events 2,000 more times, and then I might actually Anthony Tolbert, Nidan have something. Kiku Matsu Dojo, Chicago, IL

Aikido means different things to different people. This Five times we have gathered, at Chewelah peak lighthearted written meandering is not meant to make All in all, a good little streak light of aikido and its meaning in people’s lives by com- We come here, our Aikido skills to tweak paring it to a game, but it was my way making sense of Too bad this, couldn’t be for a whole week. my learning process. Sometimes aikido is about taking a profound journey, and sometimes it’s just about learning Some have been to all, and others only to one and having fun. Have fun and hit ‘em straight! To train with each other, under the sun but certainly, all that came have had fun Pity those, that have been to none.

Like O’sensei, we come to the mountains to train Up high on Chewelah we will remain Practicing techniques, our knowledge to gain Then come Sunday we leave, hopefully not in too much pain.

We’ve come from all over, of that there is no doubt Some from California, surely to escape the drought Some from Chicago, were Sato dwells Some from New Mexico, as Watkins email tells

Others from West Virginia, and Idaho and other places, that I don’t know Robby or Bobby, out guiding us in Or guarding Degraff’s door, is where he has been. 8 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

(continuation) We train each day, to improve our Aikido We punch, grab, turn; fall, pin and throw Led through it all, by sensei Sato Guiding our training, to help us grow

We’re cutoff from the outside, when the wi-fi goes out But don’t worry George, others to talk to are always about We camp at night, with an occasional scare What did we hear out there, was it a bear?

Landry sensei’s group, always gives us tasks to do Overcoming fear, doubt, confusion and surprise, how the time flew They cook us a fine dinner, on Saturday night The target of one’s shugyo training may very well be hu- We all eat it up, every last bite. manly impossible to achieve, but that should never be a deterrent. Seeking complete mastery of any one thing is Then we have, our talent show an incredibly ambitious thing, as the object of your studies were we can all, give it a go will likely be evolving alongside you without end. That fact Please remember, it all stays just here alone is likely what has drawn people to attempting shugyo, Just like Vegas, is everyone clear? as humankind has never been very good at accepting that there is something it cannot attain. Shugyo could be long Perhaps someplace is lurking, a sensei of gold periods of devoted practice in preparation for a special It may make an appearance each year, or so I’m told event or in the performance of a daily routine that promotes Remember that next year, will be six growth in the field you are pursuing; so unless you already so please all come back with your friends, and a new live in similar conditions, shugyo will demand that you make bag of tricks. a rather radical lifestyle change.

Aikido can be one of the best examples of a discipline in Shodan Essay: What Is Shugyo? which to apply shugyo, since aikido is so incredibly versatile John Caldwell, Shodan and can be incorporated into nearly every aspect of every- Aikido of Morgantown, Morgantown, WV day life. For starters, one could do simple things like breath- ing and walking with ki, maintaining a strong posture and In my opinion, shugyo can be roughly defined as the push- a center of balance. Throughout each day, think focused ing of one’s training to the limit in order to temper one’s and centered thoughts. Try to remain calm and aware of mind, body, and soul beyond their previous limits. The focus your surroundings at all times. Don’t behave in a cocky or for Shugyo can be nearly anything. For example, an athlete overconfident manner but rather be open-minded and may commit much of his/her life to staying in peak physical considerate to your peers. Physical activities should be per- condition so that he may remain at the top of his/her game formed by using your center as opposed to relying on your and surpass records and limits set by others before them. upper body strength. Extracurricular activities should be That could be one manner of striving for shugyo. Scholars centered on your training. Giving up on bad habits, such as who devote themselves to their studies in order to improve late-night television or excessive snacking is advised. If you their knowledge of the subject of their interest could also be ever need to take a break from what you are doing, take considered to be practicing shugyo. The key to shugyo is that time to fit in some quick training like reviewing notes, finding or making the time in order to better yourself in all exercises, or techniques. regards. When thinking about shugyo, think about how you can fit training into every conceivable moment of your day Shugyo requires an intense determination to achieve what so as not to waste any opportunity. you set out to do. Believing in your ability to (continued) 9 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

(continuation) accomplish your task is pivotal to everything my perspective, but now I am in a that you do in life. As with training in Shugyo, this belief must position to celebrate and rejoice with my be amplified as well. To stop Shugyo or take a long break partner. It leaves me in a position to add to from it before you’ve approached the desired results could that energy and redirect it towards another person that cause everything that you’d work for to fall apart. So before might need that influx of good ki to help them with their day. even beginning, lay out a plan for how you will train yourself every day. Shugyo is intensive training, but if you deem the Aikido encourages blending with energy, be it positive goal to be worth the time and devotion, there should be no or negative. Like a sailboat tacking into the wind, aikido problem putting forth your best effort to train. teaches me to move forward in my endeavors in spite of any resistance. By trimming sails and angling them appro- priately, a sailboat can move against the flow of air yet still be moving forward. Similarly, if I change the angle of my attitude and direct energy appropriately, I can navigate a situation filled with resistance, yet still arrive at a point of my choosing.

Aikido has taught me that there is no such thing as a situ- ation beyond my control. With a slight adjustment and a little repositioning, I can put myself in a position to make any circumstance advantageous to me. That statement in itself sounds like aikido is a selfish and self-serving art, but the point of aikido is to have both parties walk away with as little in- jury as possible. The same principle applies here. In any situ- ation of daily life I make it a point to get what I need without making it at the expense of others. If I can get to the place What Aikido Means to Me I want to be while also helping others get to their desired Curtis Ross, Nidan place, then all the better. Roshinkan Dojo, Spokane, WA I see circles everywhere now. I see seams and creases and When life runs me around in circles, I can only laugh and open spaces to move, live and grow. I understand that wait for the break fall. Luckily for me, I have a little expe- worlds exist in the place of a hairs breadth and lifetimes can rience with falling, so the sudden stop at the end doesn’t be lived in the space of a second. I understand that the hurt as much and it doesn’t usually take too long for me to old dogma of “meet your problems head on” does not ap- get back up. Aikido is the reason for that flexibility in daily ply to me and frankly, seems a bit counterproductive—so life; both in a physical sense and in my attitude towards cir- much energy used to resist energy, when all that is need- cumstances that at first seem uncontrollable. It would be ed is to simply move off the line or turn tenkan. So aikido is too easy to simply describe the benefits of aikido on the much more to me than a way to overcome an adversary, body and the confidence it instills in me to handle a physi- it is more a way to live daily life in a positive and healthy cal attack. So let me instead explain how aikido helps me mindset. It not only benefits me, but those around me in that to navigate the day-to-day pitfalls and summits that we all I am one less person being negative and confrontational— encounter. rather I am a source of positive energy and a battery to re- charge ki. The power of tenkan cannot be denied! When that en- ergy comes at me, it is so painfully simple to turn tenkan and let it go by. If it is negative energy, it goes off into the void without hurting me and leaves me in a position to see from another point of view. The tai sabaki is ten- kan, the technique can then be empathy, as I now see how another feels and can put myself in their position. If the energy is good, I can still turn tenkan and change 10 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

Nidan Essay: Aikido History and the Future of Aikido Yuki Matsuoka, Nidan Aikido of Rossmoor, Huntington Beach, CA

Kaiso, Morihei Ueshiba, founded and developed Aiki- do in the 1920s through the 1930s. He studied several Japanese old martial arts such as Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, and Daitoryu Aiki Jujutsu, which Kaiso studied under Sokaku Takeda in 1915, and formed his own style of martial art over the years. He also had a strong interest in spiritual- ity. He joined a new age religious group called Omoto- kyo, which is based on Shintoism. Shinto is a Japanese indigenous religion, which worships the sprits in nature and natural phenomena. This had a great influence on Kaiso’s thought and reflected on the formation and the development of Aikido. He combined the martial art technique and the philosophical idea, and started a dojo called “Ueshiba Juku,” where he taught his own style of new martial art. In 1920, he called the martial arts he created “Aikibujutsu.” He continued develop- ing the art, and it became Aikido as we know today. in each place. Rules and manners in the US are much The name “Aikido” became official in February 1942. looser than what I was familiar with in Japan, and there After World War II, aikido was widely spread and well is more variation on techniques here. Details such as known to the public. The organization grew bigger and how to sit, bow, and talk are not taught as strictly. The it attracted more people throughout the nation. In the students here are interested in the techniques that they 1950s, aikido spread outside Japan, and expanded have never seen. These are necessarily cultural adjust- all over the world. The number of students increased ments to attract more people and create opportunities and many branches were established. Today, aikido is for the growth and future of aikido. It is important to practiced in over 95 countries. keep the main philosophy of aikido and keep passing it on, while techniques and other elements and disci- One of the characteristics of aikido that appeals to plines can be adapted to each culture. The future of some people is its philosophy. There is no competition aikido will depend upon how well it can adapt to the or fight in aikido, because aikido is a defensive martial diversity without losing the core philosophy, which has art. There is no fighting against one another, and the been carried on through today. purpose of the training is not to decide who the best is. We train to help each other to improve techniques and to be a better person. Aikido teaches not only physical Yondan Essay: The Application of Aikido in My techniques, but also discipline and manners, which are Daily Life more emphasized than other martial arts. These ideas Simone Maranto, Yondan are carried on from Kaiso, and have been taught to Kyushinkan Dojo, Roswell, GA the aikido students among the world. When I started Aikido over 18 years ago, I could not However, whereas the basic techniques, philosophy, imagine how it would affect my future life. I had just and disciplines are the same in different aikido dojos, immigrated to the United States and started a new life they also had to be modified and adjusted to the needs with my husband Luke. and interests of the students and their culture. I have trained aikido under a few different teachers, different I joined Kyushinkan Dojo, which had been founded dojos, and in different countries. There are some simi- several months earlier by Dr. Ginny Whitelaw and Scott larities and differences in the way aikido is presented Hawkins. I remember asking Whitelaw (continued) 11 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

(continuation) Sensei how she was planning to joined Kyushinkan Dojo. The appli- grow the dojo. She replied with a long story of a cation of “starting something new” in Native American woman, which I barely remem- daily life was not quite as easy. For years, ber. Nevertheless, the essence of the story left a I wanted to learn how to make jewelry. I even thought deep impact on me and was one of the first lessons about a career as a silversmith when I graduated from I should learn regarding the application of aikido in high school. Too many obstacles, no money, fear of daily life. torches and fire, and not knowing how to start were keeping me from signing up at the local jewelry de- Whitelaw Sensei’s goal was to grow a dojo and to give sign college. Aikido taught me to act, to move, not on the art of aikido to future generations. With the help to stay stagnant, to improve, to follow my passion, to of the story, she communicated the importance of fol- be patient, to face my fears, and to start. Inspired by lowing our passions with great patience, of never giving Whitelaw Sensei’s first steps and by my first aikido expe- up, no matter how many difficulties we have to endure riences, I decided to sign up for my first beading class or how hopeless it may seem. She clearly emphasized at a local bead store. I learned some basic skills, which the most important point—we have to start. Throughout gave me confidence. the years, hundreds of students have been practicing the art of aikido at Kyushinkan Dojo. Sensei Whitelaw’s My second application: “Face your fears!” seed has grown into a big tree. One thing led to another. I finally faced my fears and took some silversmithing classes at a local art school. I used a torch! I overcame the fear of fire. There are many fearful situations we encounter in life. The prac- tice of aikido helps to overcome fear. It helps us to be- come stronger and more confident.

My third application: “Be patient, don’t give up, and endure!” Learning aikido is challenging. There are ups and downs and the big mysterious plateaus. Sometimes it is painful and occasionally we get hurt. Throughout the years of my aikido practice, I learned that despite all the chal- lenges my aikido skills improved with consistent training. Sometimes I improved faster, other times slower, but al- ways steady like a stream of water. I learned to have confidence in my path. (continued)

My first application—“I have to start!” From early on it became clear to me that it is impossi- ble to learn Aikido by just reading books or watching it. You actually have to practice Aikido physically to learn the art and to go the path. It is important to find a be- ginning.

Starting aikido was easy. My husband had joined Kyushinkan Dojo six months earlier and asked me to try a class. I became curious about aikido and liked the teachers and students. I decided to continue and 12 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

(continuation) My first silversmithing classes were quite the car. I noticed a stranger was challenging. The metal wouldn’t form the way I want- walking toward us. We were the last ed, and the first techniques were very difficult. From ai- patients of the day, and there were kido, I learned that with patience and practice I would only a few cars left in the parking lot. As soon as we soon get better and that my passion will be fueled to drove off, the person, who had come a lot closer to the reach higher levels. car, changed the direction of his path. I do not know if his intentions were to rob us, though my gut feelings My fourth application: “Follow your passion, create!” were screaming “danger.” At least I was sure that we I did not give up. I took more and more challenging were safe due to the quick actions. Aikido and silver-smithing classes. Now I have my own silversmithing equipment and enjoy creating jewelry Some attacks follow after an “interview.” An attacker with great passion whenever time allows. I am currently screens a person to see if she or he would be an easy preparing for my fourth-degree black belt test. victim. The interview can take minutes, hours, or even longer time periods. Through my aikido training and my My fifth application: “Using Aikido in a real-life attack introduction to Aikido-based self-defense, I became situation” more aware of these tactics. I recognized when I was Everybody knows how easy it is to get distracted, to be interviewed over a course of several weeks by a po- weak for a moment, to be naïve or inexperienced, to tentially very dangerous person. I informed the direc- make a mistake. Some mistakes have severe conse- tor of the school where the situation was unfolding. The quences. I made a mistake. I was followed by a car school had already become suspicious of this person on my way home from teaching private students in the and followed a course of action that kept all the stu- early evening. The driver of the car signaled me many dents and teachers at the school safe. times with his headlights. I thought there was a problem with my car. So I stopped. As soon as I got out of the car, My sixth application: “Health and Fitness” I knew it was wrong. The overwhelming intense feeling Attacks happen, but they are not very common. For of adrenalin rising froze my entire body. The emotional most of us, our true enemy lies within ourselves. Yes, we anxiety experience is comparable to a higher level ai- know what healthy food is and that we’re supposed to kido test. I knew the person had bad intensions. I man- exercise vigorously for 20 minutes at least four times a aged to take charge and yell at him from the top of week to keep our arteries from clogging, and to keep my lungs, which distracted the attacker for a moment. our minds active and sharp. It seems to feel so much Taking charge and yelling is similar to performing “Kiai” easier to collapse in front of the TV with a big bag of in aikido. It releases power from the center of the body. chips after a long hard day at work, or to indulge in This action enables us to move again, to overcome a bar of chocolate when life gets hard, or rush down the stage of being frozen. I used this moment to get our calorie-laden meal during a way too short lunch back into my car and lock all four doors (Yes, they were time. But if you experienced a truly vigourous aikido unlocked!). As soon as I had the last door locked the lesson, you know that the endorphins will kick in and attacker touched the door handle on the passenger make you feel better than any bag of chips and revive side. Unsuccessful, he moved around to the front of the your body, mind and spirit. OK, I admit, I still occasion- car with the intention to open my door. I had enough ally grab a bag of chips and watch a heartbreaking and took off. movie, or enjoy a bar of chocolate here and there, but I use balance. I believe regular Aikido training has kept I am more alert now when I am in public. I watch the me more healthy and flexible, physically and mentally, surroundings just as I watch the mat during a seminar which in return reflects upon my daily life. when bodies get thrown all over the mat area, to be safe. My seventh application: “Understanding the Human Nature” I’ve recognized people with bad intentions and What would aikido be without people? It would not ex- changed their course of action. One day, after an eye ist. I have met many people in aikido throughout the doctor appointment at a strip mall, I rushed my kids into years. Different ages, different cultural (continued) 13 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

(continuation) backgrounds, different personalities, dif- ferent characters, different intentions, different stages of their lives, different bodies, different movements, dif- ferent reactions, different minds, different souls, evolv- ing, not evolving, staying, leaving, coming back, and so on. Training and working on the mat with people gave me the great opportunity to learn about us, to learn who we are.

This is especially helpful in my profession. As a profes- sional teacher, I work with many people. The art of ai- kido gave me a greater understanding of us humans, and helps me serve the community in a better way. Aikido helped me build better relationships with my students, colleges, and parents. Aikido helped me be- come a better teacher.

Recognizing other people’s point of view and inten- tions helps me predict their actions, which gives me the opportunity to find an appropriate course of way. The My ninth application: “To overcome” course of action might be blending with their “move- Aikido has helped me overcome difficulties in life. The ment” or “redirecting” the energy if necessary. art taught me to keep moving, not to give up. This is extremely difficult, especially when we think we cannot My eighth application: “Family and Friends” move any further, when the randori gets overwhelm- One of the greatest joys of practicing Aikido is having ing, and the attackers cling to us from all sides with the the opportunity to build great friendships with other ai- intention to drag us to the floor, to make us give up. kidoka. I did not know anybody besides my husband But there is always this last spurt of energy that we can when I moved to Atlanta in 1996. I left all my family bring forward in moments of desperation, and if it is members and friends behind in Germany. My fellow only for a short time. This has the potential to change Aikido practitioners welcomed me with open arms. Ai- the course of action and bring us back on our feet, to kido became my family. Even today, I see all the dojo take charge of our lives again. members and other aikidoka as my brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children. Sometimes I hear some I was in the middle of preparing my sandan test, when I of the adult members responding to me teasingly: “Yes, was struck with the bad news—my best friend had sud- mom.” denly died. We were practicing for our tests together, encouraging each other to stay focused and to stay The friendships built through the practice of aikido strong. Then she was gone. I almost gave up thinking I reach far beyond the dojo, even into unknown dimen- could not go the path by myself. This is when our dojo sions thinking of my friend Susanne, who trained for sev- came together. I was deeply encouraged to continue eral years in our dojo before her life ended too soon. and not give up. I was reminded to stay focused and Both of my children and my husband are practicing fulfill what I thought I was not capable of. My dojo fam- aikido. It is a wonderful but also challenging family ily picked me up by my shoulders and put me back activity, which gives us the opportunity to help each on my feet to attack me hard and heavy with strikes, other grow, learn from each other, and respect grabs, kicks, and punches, making me fight and push each other more deeply. It has been a pleasure to through a dark time of my life, until I got my strength watch my children grow from little toddlers who count- back. I successfully passed my Sandan test. ed “ich, ni, san, chi” to young teenagers demonstrating their skills performing five arts and passing adult rank My tenth application: “Seize the chaos!” kyu tests. Life can be overwhelming at times. (continued) 14 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

(continued) Tackling work, family, training, housekeep- ourselves up over every mistake we ing, health issues, and other worries can literally bring make or pointing out every short- you down to your knees. The practice of aikido, espe- coming to our students or training cially the randori practice, helps me learn how to stay partners. There is a reason why teachers have the ten- in control. It teaches me to stay focused, to sort out dency to hold back their knowledge and only empha- what is important, and to tackle one problem at a time size up to three corrections while a student is practicing or at least to focus on one solution at a time. This is es- a technique. pecially challenging for me due to my overactive cre- ative mind with ADD tendencies. Our entire life is a learning process, no matter how old we are. It is important to forgive in order to help each I also learned that there is a time for rest. Body and mind other grow, especially ourself. If we do not forgive our- need to replenish after a long intense training seminar. selves for our mistakes, we cannot move forward and Sometimes we just have to take a step back when it continue our growth. It is hard to forgive uncondition- gets overwhelming, rest, unclutter our lives, and tack- ally, especially when the person does not regret what le the challenges with refreshed new energy, or even he or she did. This is even more concerning in a time of leave some old baggage behind and start something senseless terror. I have not reached this level of forgive- new. ness in my life. Somewhere deep in my mind, I know that terrorists, criminals, and ruthless people without con- My eleventh application: “Teaching” science have not learned the true meaning of life, the Over the years, I grew from a beginning aikido learner essence of love, the love and care for all human beings to an experienced aikido practitioner. My skills and lev- and all life on earth. But neither have I. I still don’t care els of aikido allow me to teach the art to others. Teach- for terrorists, criminals, or abusers, and I would rather ing has been an essential part of my life for over two have them gone from this world than help them learn. decades. More than twenty-five years ago, I chose to I am still learning aikido. I have not mastered the art. become an educator. From early on, I realized I had I have not reached unconditional forgiveness. I have a passion for teaching. I enjoyed giving on my knowl- not reached unconditional love—how Morihei Ueshiba, edge and skills. I apply what I learn from teaching ai- the founder of aikido describes the essence of aikido. kido in my classroom and vise versa. I noticed that my Maybe one day I will be able to, and hopefully oth- own learning progressed a lot faster when teaching. ers will forgive my mistakes, too. There is hope, I am still Teaching is really learning at a faster, more challeng- walking the path. ing pace with a lot more responsibility. I recommend to everybody to try it at least once. Working with hun- My last application: “Be” dreds, actually thousands of children- considering that Aikido has taught me to keep one point—stay steady I taught in a variety of different settings as a classroom in a stream of ever changing life, to extend ki—to fol- teacher, special area teacher, and aikido teacher- low my passions, to keep weight under side—to stay was and is very rewarding. balanced and focused when life gets overwhelming, and finally to relax completely—to be open for life, to My twelfth application: “To Forgive” be conscious, to be. Aikido is a path and has to be Sometimes it is easy to forgive, and sometimes it is very practiced continually to grow, to better ourselves, to hard. And then there are the few situations in life that become who we truly are. We will fail many times and impacted our lives so deeply that we think we will never get up even more—falling and getting up thousands be able to forgive others or even ourselves. and thousands of times, but at the end, we are.

Aikido made me realize that we are all learning—learn- ing in our own ways, at our own levels, with our own point of view, at our own abilities. We all make mistakes, some are minor some are big. Sometimes we notice, sometimes we don’t. Some are intentional, some hap- pen by accident. We do not learn aikido by beating 15 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

Everything I Know about Life I Could Have Learned from you’re presenting your argument, keep Katatekosadori Kotegaeshi: A Comedy of Metaphors cool and rational, keep one point. Matija Grabnar, Nidan Aishinkan Dojo, Lubijana, Slovenia Step back. Now that you’re done talking about your viewpoint, step Attack irimi. back, reverse direction. Give them space to come to When someone attacks you, you don’t have to your side ... or to fall, as the case may be. Usually, they just stand there and take it. You have agency, fall. you can move! In fact, you don’t have to wait for your uke to grab your wrist before you move. Kotegaeshi. Make them an offer they can not refuse. That may But don’t step back when attacked. If you step be an easy, slow, and low kotegaeshi, which can be back every time you’re attacked, you’ll never resolved with a leisurely fall to the side (“wow, this deal move forward. Instead, move into the attack. But is too good to let it pass”), or it can be a fast, high don’t just butt heads with it: move to the side a kotegaeshi, which means either a monumental little, let the attack pass you by. Always remem- breakfall or a broken arm (a horse head in their bed). ber the first rule of martial arts: “Don’t get hit.” Either way, make sure your body is in the right As you move past the attacking wrist, reach out and place and the uke’s arm is extended, or his control the attacking arm. If you don’t control the arm other arm may deliver a counter-offer to your face. as you reach for the wrist, you can get an elbow to your face. Not every attack is as it first appears. Step across. Now your uke is down, but not out. The ukemi has Blend tenkan. freed the uke’s wrist from the pressure you’ve been Your hand slides down the uke’s arm and gets to the applying, so you need to regain control before they get wrist. Even when you’re under attack, it pays to shake up and counter-attack. Watch your step! Step forward hands. with the leg closer to the uke, blocking their access to your family treasures. An opponent you just knocked Do a tenkan: now you’re looking in the same on the ground is motivated to return the favor, so make direction as the uke. When you’re in conflict with sure you render them harmless before you open the someone, take a moment to see things from champagne. (Remember the motto: “Champagne their perspective. You never know, maybe they for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends”). have a point, and you just didn’t realize it before. As you cross the other side of the uke, extend their Turn your hips, dip. arm, while rotating their wrist counter-clockwise, which As you turn your hips, drag down. Now you’re making will make the uke want to flip on their stomach. This is the other guy see your side of the argument. But you another offer they can’t refuse, but the first was have to go deep down, you can’t just say “My side offered between equals, this one is dictated, because is that I want what I want, and you should give in be- you’re using your leg strength against their arm strength. cause I want it.” Dig deeper than that, but make sure you don’t lose your balance. Don’t lean forward when Joint lock. The uke is flat on his stomach, with the attacking arm sticking up in the air, now is the time to lean on them. Rest their arm on your knee, press gently down on their wrist, as you hum “lean on me.” No hurry here, you want them to tap out, not break their wrist. Just like when you win, you should just win, not seek to destroy the other guy.

Zanshin. So there you are. You won. Go you! Stand for a moment in a stable position, looking around to see if there are any threats coming. Then let the uke up, and maybe it’s your turn to attack.

No matter how good you are, you won’t always win, and knowing how to take a fall without breaking, and how to get up again, is a valuable skill. 16 NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

JUNE 2016 NOVEMBER 2016 June 10-12 November 11-13 Shiseikan Dojo, Varna, Bulgaria Wadokan Dojo, Houston, TX

JULY 2016 November 18-20 Keishinkan Dojo, Memphis, TN July 13-17 Shochugeiko, Chicago, IL DECEMBER 2016 July 28-31 December 2-4 Monell Sensei @ AOCNM, Albuquerque, NM Kyoushinkan Dojo, Humacao, Puerto Rico

AUGUST 2016 August 12-14 Laguna Hills Aikikai, Laguna Hills, CA

August 22-28 Wadokan Dojo, Gdynia, Poland

SEPTEMBER 2016 September 15-18 Northwest Camp, Chewelah Peak, WA

September 23-25 AOCNM, Albuquerque, NM “Opponents confront us continual- ly, but actually there is no opponent OCTOBER 2016 there. Enter deeply into an attack and neutralize it as you draw that October 6-9 misdirected force into your own Fall Camp, Roswell, GA sphere.” October 20-23 Warrior’s Spirit Dojo, Athens, Greece - Morihei Ueshiba Sensei Founder of Aikido October 28-30 Aikido of Morgantown, Morgantown, WV

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“Those who are possessed by noth- ing possess everything.”

-Morihei Ueshiba Sensei Founder of Aikido