The joy of aikido

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[erikmenzel]

Being a daddy makes you look at aikido with different eyes.
Both my wife and I train which means on seminars we have to take turns in who cares for and entertains our young daughter, Rixt.

On the Kiiche Hine seminar our dojo organised last november we found out that Rixt reacts in a very positive way to the joy and energy generated on the mat. Laughingly she was racing on all fours towards the mat to be a part of all the fun.

Afterwards I started thinking about why at least my wife and I consider it natural to take Rixt with us to the seminar.

Click here for an image of Hine Sensei and Rixt (http://www.shizenryu.nl/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=576&g2_serialNumber=1)

[roadster]

I clicky but no picky. :confused:

[erikmenzel]

How about this link (http://www.shizenryu.nl/new/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=98&g2_itemId=576)??

[jennifer paige smith]

That just about made my day!

Aikido is love, isn't it?

[Chuck Clark]

Great picture and joyfulness in your writing Erik. My son grew up with Kodokan judo, Shinto Muso Ryu Jo, and aikibudo as cradle languages. He's 37 now with two daughters growing up in similar ways. One of the great joys in our lives is taking part together with equal joy recognizing that we're all still students trying to do our best. I wish you all the best in your family and budo practice.

[Lyle Bogin]

My boy is almost 2 and he recently accompanied me to a demo by Imaizumi Sensei at Marc Abram's dojo. He sat perfectly still and quiet for 30 minutes...I couldn't believe it. Of course, I told him he was entering a den of ninjas.