Coming in from the cold

[Please visit our sponsor:]

[Charles Hammond]

Hello,

Although I am likely to be only an intermittent poster I thought it polite to introduce myself.

I studied Aikido under Paul Preece Sensei, 4th Dan (himself a student of Ralph Reynolds Sensei), in Wolverhampton from 1982 until 1991. I then moved to London where, despite access to a wealth of talented sensei, I stopped training.

Anyway after a 12 year hiatus I have decided to stop being an armchair Aikidoka and return to the mat.

I am hoping to begin training with David Rubens Sensei in the near future - probably in a beginners class since I am overweight, unfit and have the natural flexibility of a lamp post.

I tried sitting in seiza a couple of days ago and lasted about 30 seconds - my shins were killing me. It always used to be just the knees but know the whole of lower leg seems to have taken against me. Still I am hoping that a little diet and exercise and the familar feel of being smacked into the mat will have me feeling better in no time.

Yours respectfully

[Janet Rosen]

Hi, and welcome to aikiweb and back to aikido.

You would be wise to incorporate good warmup and stretching into your routine--before each training session for sure, and on "off days" too if you can-- in order to avoid injuries to your joints.

Warmup should be done BEFORE stretching-- 5 minutes jumping jacks, jogging, exercise bike--anything that gets large muscle groups moving, and raises their temperature so that they are warmer when you start stretching. Stretches should be gone into slowly, without bouncing, and held -- well "experts" vary but 15 seconds seems like a happy medium.

cheers!

[akiy]

Hi Charles,

Welcome to the AikiWeb Forums and thanks for your introduction. I hope you'll keep us up-to-date about your imminent return to aikido!

-- Jun

[Daniel Blanco]

Good Luck Charles just take it slow and you catch on right away, its like riding a bike you never forget.

[Peter Malecek]

Charles,

Welcome back.

Peter