Ok I finally did it!

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[Williamross77]

Well I have posted for quite a while and have received quite a few messages concerning my current state… please allow me to explain. In 1991 I began training in the martial arts in a system that augmented the curriculum with Aikijujitsu techniques, all be it without the traditional descriptions. I eventually earned a Nidan in this system (after six years) that stressed Atemiwaza and allowed me to learn most of what I encountered. I began to love what I found in Aikido as most of all of you have too. In 1998 I encountered an old friend who was in Aikikai (for Six years), we began to train together and he helped me tone down the Aikijujitsu techniques to blend with Aikikai style, much help even though I had trained some in Tomiki ryu and some in BBJ. We had fun and encountered others who wished to practice. We practiced and found ourselves in need of guidance. One of the joiners found a man who studied under Koichi Tohei and Isaso Takahashi (only one generation away from Ueshiba!) and had be affiliated with Roderick Kobiyashi who would accept us as students and help us progress. His name was Bill Sosa, (sixth Dan) founder of the International Aikido Association. He first came to our humble Dojo in 1999 and soon we began driving the three-hour drive to Dallas Texas to train under him and his yudanshia. Soon after we affiliated with the IAA the Aikikai Ikkyu returned to Sweden and left me in charge of instruction even though I was only a Gokkyu at the time. He traveled to our school many times before his death in 2002. He expressed his belief in my ability to instruct the way he was teaching due to my diverse martial background and previous role as an instructor, he commented on the fact that we were doing well without a yudanshia in our midst. We loved him, even now as we have joined one of his senior yudanshia in her formation of the Society of Aikido Centers, we express gratitude for his role in spreading Aikido to the Southwest and now Louisiana.
Yes I know I am a Sankkyu, I should have tested long ago for my Iikkyu rank, but it has been a busy year teaching so many to the rank of Gokkyu and Rokkyu. Please don’t email any insults on my rank as a few have when I have posted, you must ask yourself given the circumstance, would you quit or move forward? Thank you Jun Akiyama for such a great work of art as the Aikiweb and thank you Aikidoka for your anticipated acceptance.
:ai:

[Williamross77]

Bill Sosa was the "he" that traveled to our school, not the Aikikai Ikkyu.

[tedehara]

Takahashi Sensei's name was Isao (http://www.aikido-world.com/dedications/takahashi.htm) Takahashi. He wasn't that far removed from Morihei Ueshiba. In fact, he spent two weeks in Iwama training with the founder.

In Ki in Daily Life Koichi Tohei wrote "Attitude not Seniority makes an Instructor" (Rules for Instructors #5), so don't worry about rank.

Good Luck to you and your dojo.

[JJF]

Hi Bill!

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but I'll give you what I concider a bit of advice.

The man who first became a major inspiration to me in my aikido practice took over our dojo when the dojo-founder left. At that time he was I believe a shodan in judo and a newly apointed 4. kyu in Aikido (after perhaps 18. months of training or so). He ran the place as chief instructor for around 25 years and recieved 5. dan in aikido and 5. dan in Aiki-toho (a sword style that many of us do). A wonderful instructor and a very talanted aikido-ka as far as I am able to judge. So in my opinion don't worry about your grade. It'll come in due time. Just keep practicing what you love, do your best and be serious and honest about where you come from. If you just teach to the best of your abilties, no one should have anything to say about your grade.

Best of luck

[Greg Jennings]

Yes I know I am a Sankkyu, I should have tested long ago for my Iikkyu rank, but it has been a busy year teaching so many to the rank of Gokkyu and Rokkyu. Please don’t email any insults on my rank as a few have when I have posted, you must ask yourself given the circumstance, would you quit or move forward? Thank you Jun Akiyama for such a great work of art as the Aikiweb and thank you Aikidoka for your anticipated acceptance.

:ai:
My adivce, FWIW, is to continue training. Learn how to spell the romanji for the common aikido terms, but do continue training.

[MikeE]

Bill,

You have no need to explain yourself. Training under Sosa Sensei was a joy. I miss him dearly. He obviously thought you had what it takes, or he wouldn't have trained you.

The only things he wanted from affiliates was, honesty, hard work, and loyalty. I chose all three. Some only chose two of the three.

[Jonathan]

Due to a rather uninteresting and somewhat complex set of circumstances I found myself in the role of instructor at the rank of sankyu. Now, many years later, I am still instructing and am very glad that, in spite of the obvious problems inherent in being initially a mudansha-level instructor, I continued with my aikido training. My progress has been slower, I think, without the benefit of an instuctor of my own, but I have made progress nonetheless. The dojo in which I instruct is steadily growing and my students are, in the opinion of my shihan, well-trained. I'm sure if I can meet with this kind of success so can you, Bill. Stick with it!

[DCP]

3.5 years of college study

+ 1 semester of student teaching

= 1 bachelors degree and a teaching certificate.

Heart

+ patience

+ perseverance

= 1 good teacher.

Which equation is more important?

[Williamross77]

Thanks Mr Ehara, i appologize for the typo. Yes my two years of Japanese were over 8 years ago, i have forgotten much, like romanji dropping the extra k between 6th and 1st kyu ranks.

Mr. Ellefson Thanks for you encouraging words, Sosa Sensei's legacy still grows within all peramiters of our current circumstance.

Thanks to all for your advice, greatly appreciated.

[Neil Mick]

Hey Bill,

Miss you over in the political end, at aikiweb. I enjoyed the tone of our conversations, even if we do not agree.

Then again, ppl are getting a tad catty and using the "ignore" feature, so perhaps you're better off. :)

Regarding your validity as a teacher, I agree with Daniel. I have been teaching various subjects since I was 17, and teaching Aikido since I was a brown belt, on and off.

The most important element of teaching, IMM, is not rank, but openness and honesty, to your students. I have seen teachers of high rank act arrogantly, and I seem to get less from their instruction.

OTOH, it was quite a pleasure to experience Anno Sensei's humility, when he teaches at seminars. "I have been eating at the table longer than you, that is the only difference." This man has been training at Aikido for 50 years; his humility is an inspiration, for a teacher (I have been teaching a college Aikido class for 2 years, now).

Good luck in your endeavors in teaching, Bill. I'm positive that your rank will have little bearing on your effectiveness as a teacher.

A little piece of advice that I hope helps: teachers are always making mistakes. A good teacher recognizes this fact, and knows how to work with his mistakes.

[Williamross77]

Thanks Neil,about the poli-aiki, well i just said my peace, and have no more to say,,, really... thanks

[Murgen]

Bill,

Just wanted to say good luck with your teaching. I started in Aikido this year studying Aikido under Bill Sosa Sensei's son John Sosa at a branch of the IAA in N. Dallas. I also just attended the IAA 3 day seminar this weekend. After hearing all the stories of Bill Sosa Sensei, I only wish I could have met him. You were lucky to have met and trained under him from the true affection and respect I see from his former students.