I've taken about a month off aikido now. I'm testing to see whether I feel better doing aikido, or not. When I do aikido, I sometimes feel martial while walking down the street. e.g. I'll imagine what I'd do if someone attacked me in with a high tsuki, for example. I haven't been doing that as much during my break. Unfortunately, I also haven't been as confident or "comfortable in my own skin." I'll be back in the dojo soon!
Drew
Bruce Baker
11-27-2002, 06:15 AM
Not everyone agree's that the goal of training is to be able to walk down the street without thinking about being attacked, but most everyone agree's that we should be ready with some degree of training for what might happen.
Concentrate on training when training, and your daily life when you go about your daily chores, and the two will meet down the road.
The goal of realizing that there could be situations ... well .... that is to alert the mind to react so the body will have instructions to be followed.
Explore the many situations that could occur, but don't let them take over your daily life in a paranoia ... a daydream.
It will integrate itself as time and tide do. Once you have had experience, the natural reactions will happen all by themselves.
For now, pay attention to where you are walking down the street, and what you are doing ... not looking for trouble, but aware of where you are, and what you are doing.
I wouldn't mention it, but we all go through this awareness phase ... so will you.
Now, get back into life, train to gain.