Poll: How important is the philosophy of aikido outside of your "on the mat" training?

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[AikiWeb System]

AikiWeb Poll for the week of April 10, 2005:

How important is the philosophy of aikido outside of your "on the mat" training?

I don't do aikido
Critically important
Very important
Somewhat important
Not very important
Not at all important


Here are the current results (http://www.aikiweb.com/polls/results.html?poll_id=267).

[bryce_montgomery]

When I first began studying aikido, it never really occurred to me how my "on the mat" practice would carry on to everyday life. But now, I have been able to see how the concepts and principles of aikido affect every decision I make and my attitude towards life and other people. My aikido experiences, while differing from good to bad, has affected me greatly and I believe that is the goal of most, if not all, Japanese budo and other martial arts, to carry out into everyday life.

From the reason a technique is performed, to the ideal of universal peace, the philosophy, whether technical or mental/spiritual, affects everything in my life, in one way or the other.

Bryce

[Yann Golanski]

Been reading a book on assertiveness at work. With a few changes in vocabulary this book would read like an Aikido manual for the work place.

Then again, taking to the extreme, Aikido in the workplace would be diplomacy or the art of telling someone to go to Hell in such a way that they are looking forward to the trip.

*grins evilly*

[nage]

For me it is very important, but with all do respect I'm sure that there is one "Aikido philosophy".
I think it is meny diferent things for diferent people.

[Narda]

What is 'Aikido philosophy'? I study another art, so have no 'mat' experience. However, I feel that what I take away from this site, from readings on Aikido, and from watching testing at a local Aikido dojo are very important to the way I am living my life.

[xuzen]

This time, I voted very important. The philosophy that I practice most outside my mat-times is 'non-resistant' or the principle of ju (pliability). Having work in the service industry, customer interaction is very important to me and I actually have used this principle many times to resolve irate customers.

Boon.

[SeiserL]

There's a difference? ;-)

Don't even get me started on this one. ;-) Those who know me, know that I think its very importnat to practice everday on and off the mat. I was doing Aikido already before I stepped on the mat. I just didn't call it that.

[Qatana]

"Off the Mat" is the reason I practice "On the Mat"

[Janet Rosen]

"Off the Mat" is the reason I practice "On the Mat"
what she said!

[Brad Pruitt]

To me it's critically important and at the same time it seems so much more difficult to apply off the mat. I am aware when it all goes awry but only see it during or after the happening like I'm some kind of bi-standard of my own undoing. Though I am critically aware.