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<blogEntries>
<blogEntry id="4807">
	<title><![CDATA[Skipping class.]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Today has been one of those days, where nothing has satisfied me or nothing I have done has helped. 

In a rut they say. 

Not heading to class for the very first time ''because I dont feel like it.'' 
My attitude wouldn't be beneficial to my other Aikidoka and most like be a good training partner and a crap Uke. 

Tomorrow will be different.]]></body>
	<date>04-08-2013</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4806">
	<title><![CDATA[Skipping class.y.]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Today has been one of those days, where nothing has satisfied me or nothing I have done has helped. 

In a rut they sa]]></body>
	<date>04-08-2013</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4790">
	<title><![CDATA[Budo ?]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Probably covered numerous times on the forum, but just my two cents. 

What even is “Budo” ? I mean, apart from the obvious and literal translation of “martial way”, what REALLY is it ? 

Budo to me is everything. Truly everything. From my interactions with my partner, child and family to opening a tin of beans. Budo is everything from preparing your evening meal to playing a section of music. BUDO should be incorporated in every aspect of your life, and not just in the Dojo during training. 

Budo, and my understanding of it, is about being true to who you are. 

Budo to me is not about the coloured belt that is holding up your GI trousers, but about your own understanding of technique, and your place in the universe ((dojo) both literal and figurative). About your etiquette to your fellow students, sempai, sensei etc. 

Budo should be incorporated in the work place. It should be what tolerates your overbearing boss or colleagues, yet it should be what fights them, shows them for what they are. 

“True Budo does not have an enemy” - O’sensei. 

I am far from a perfect student of these ancient arts (not just Aikido) that we are PRIVILEGED to learn, and hopefully pass on to the next generation. But I believe I’m on this ever changing and evolving path to be a better person through true practice of Budo. 

That is all that can be asked of you. Is it not ?]]></body>
	<date>03-31-2013</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4759">
	<title><![CDATA[Sensei Aileen Jefferey.]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Sensei Aileen Jeffrey 5th Dan Aikido, Iwama Ryu, 1st Dan Ninjutsu, was and always will be a huge part of my Aikido life, and personal life. 

This entry will be about the time I had spent with her, both on the mat and off the mat. 

So in the last entry, described my first meeting with Sensei Aileen [URL="http://www.aikiweb.com/blogs/a-warriors-path-16523/the-second-step-4751/"]''Here''[/URL]. I spoke about her introducing her self and ''sussing me out'', how she was quiet yet at the same time, made you feel like she had said a hundred words already. She had an aura of confidence and respect, and made you feel comfortable as if you had known her for a lifetime. 

 Sensei Aileen's technique was, in my eyes perfect. She was agile, precise and deliberate. She could be delicate, gentle and most of all, elegant. When working with beginners, as I remember, she was careful and would discuss what she was doing at every point of the movement. She would make you feel at ease when going through the methods, yet you could feel she was in full control of you and your movements at all times. Her technique was unquestionable. 
  As I started to move through the grades, 5 kyu, 4th kyu, I was able to follow the techniques and take hard and fast, high break falls. Being one of the youngest in the class it showed that I could be thrown slightly faster and harder, and Sensei Aileen took Advantage of that. Time and time again. The best memories I have of her on the mat, is being thrown by her, or being punched in the face because I forgot to block the Atemi. She actually burst my lip once ! :)
  At courses, Sensei Aileen would throw the biggest and best around with ease. She would lock them up and put them through their paces and take them to, and past their pain thresholds. 
 Sensei Aileen was not the type of Instructor who would refuse to take technique either. Often, she would ask her students to demonstrate techniques with her. A truly great Sensei and Instructor. 

As a friend, there was not one better. Aileen was someone to confide in, someone to speak to in a time of need and one who could put a smile on your face no matter the circumstances.When she laughed, she would have the daintiest wee (yet big) laugh, like a stereotypical ''cute girl'' laugh,  I hope that didn't come across misogynistic or ignorant.  A wise woman. Knowing her from I was 16 (now twenty) I made a strong bond with her, through our tastes in music, both of us loving Heavy and classic metal. Attending courses on the west side of Scotland and me not being of the legal age to drive, Aileen would drive us, belting out Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath tracks, getting pumped and excited for the course. I never knew a woman like her ! She was like another Mother to me in some respects. I would visit her through the week now and then and have tea and biscuits or on the odd occasion dinner together (she could make the best chilli I had tasted) and chat and laugh, talk mainly about Aikido and the blatant Current affairs. 

Christmas Nights out were always a laugh. We would all get together, have a curry and a few drinks, then to the Pub for many more drinks. These were great nights !
 
Her belief in people was outstanding. Her inner spirit was matched by none. Her Budo was what I one day hope to achieve. 

Aileen was the picture of health, non smoker, healthy eating, fit and healthy. A keen Skier, going away often with her brothers on Skiing holidays to France and Austria I believe. She rode motor bikes with her Fiance all over Scotland and  traveled up north often to her caravan with her brothers, nieces and nephews. But regardless of her great health, in 2010 Ailleen found a lump. At first the doctors put it down to a Benign Cyst and cut it away. At this point, due the surgery, Aileen couldnt train for a month or so due to the location of the operation. She would sit at the edge of the mat and give her 'orders' from there, whilst one of the senior grades took class and made sure things were in order. No matter how much pain she was in at the time, she attended class regardless. Aikido was her passion and true love. 
After she had healed from the operation, Aileen came back on the mat for a few weeks and enjoyed the training she was able to participate in. Still with that coy smile on her face and that little laugh. Still able to give me the big throws and tight locks. 

Another month passed, and the lump had reappeared. Aileen was then told she had Cancer. A massive shock to not only her self but obviously everyone of us as well. Specialists tried to operate again and managed to remove more of the cancerous tissues from the affected area. However, after this operation, the cancer spread to Aileens stomach, more tests and operations were conducted and the decision was made that she would need to receive Chemo and Radiotherapy sessions. All this time I and other members of the club and family were there to make sure she had everything she needed. 

Aileen was allowed to move home, as she lived not far from the [URL="http://www.beatson.scot.nhs.uk/content/"]Beatson Unit[/URL] and was was able to attend appointments and sessions whilst still being able to stay in the comfort of her own home. Even when going through these treatments and procedures, Aileen still attended class, in full Gi and Hakama. Sitting at the side of the class giving the same instruction as ever. When the Chemo was starting show its effects and she took ill with the procedures, Aileen's family, fiance and myself were there regularly helping with any house work etc, and just there to keep her spirits as high as possible. Not that she needed us there for that, she was always high in spirit. No matter what the circumstances. 

A few weeks past and Aileen was taken into hospital, after taking very unwell and unusual turn for the worse. After decisions made by specialists, it was agreed that Aileen would stay in the Beatson until All sessions of chemo and radiotherapy were past and there was an improvement in her health. 
The improvement we wished and prayed for did not come. Over the next eight months, Aileen became increasingly worse, Cancer spreading rapidly and unmercifully through her body including her head and left eye. The effects of the Chemo and Radio evidently taking its toll. 

In January 2012 Aileen married her fiance in the Hospital with her family around them. She even found the strength from only she knows where, to manage a First dance with her new husband. 

I visited her the day after and gave my congratulations to her and her new husband and let her know how happy I was for them, to see her happy, through the obvious physical pain and time, I will never forget. 

A few days later, Aileen past away with her family and husband by her side. At peace. 

The timing of this was extraordinarily hard for me, as I had lost my Grandmother to the exact same thing two months before hand, whom I was also extremely close with. Five months later, my first beautiful son was born. They would have loved him.  Loosing two strong women, to the same things was an extremely hard thing to deal with, however their strength gave me strength to understand, and get through that time. 

Aileen was a remarkable woman, that only those who knew her could understand. 

[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/29654_101058893275226_2344301_n.jpg[/IMG]

Thank you for the memories and everything that you taught me. I will never forget you, my Sensei and Friend.]]></body>
	<date>03-16-2013</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4751">
	<title><![CDATA[The Second Step.]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I've not really got the hang of these titles yet have I ? 
This entry will be about my first steps into the Dojo and my first meeting with Sensei Aileen Jeffrey 5th Dan. 

October 2008. Sixteen years old. Hating the world and the people in it. 

It all started when I ran into a second removed cousin of mine who I shall refer to as R, on the way to the local city, the train we were both due to get was cancelled, cue the long, awkward taxi journey, courtesy of ScotRail. Nice guy, socially awkward but intellectually clever. He mentioned how he was still practicing Aikido and continued to speak about it the whole journey there. At the time, all I could think was ''This guy is so full of himself'' (that was the type of guy I was). About an hour and a half later we exchanged numbers and he asked me to come down to the class, I agreed on the basis that I can sit and watch the first night and make my decisions then. We parted ways and it wasn't untill a week or two later, I decided to give him a message and take him up on his offer. 

It was a Tuesday night 7pm and I walked into the local Community Centre come Dojo, I could see the class doing their warm up in the crisp white suits, coloured belts and a small woman wearing a ''skirt'' standing in front of them. Obviously this was their ''Chief Honcho''. So I walked over to the edge of their training area, R bowed to his Instructor and came to the side of the mat to greet me. I was told to have a seat and watch the class. 
After the initial hour, the class were warmed up and the techniques were starting to flow and bodies starting to fly. I couldn't believe what I was watching, a woman, small in stature throwing men much bigger than myself into a thin mat on a wooden floor ! 
First thoughts were ''OHHH I don't know about this.'' 
Sensei Aileen came over and introduced herself, shook my hand with a light and delicate touch and a slight yet very obvious smile. I could tell at this moment, the first meeting with her, that she was a very serene and lovely lady. My initial impression was not wrong. I will eventually put up a separate blog entry about Sensei Aileen, as she deserves her own acknowledgments. 
Aileen, didnt say much about the club but more asked me questions, about me. She was sussing me out ! A great Judge of character, as I've learned is a trait much needed in our world. 

She agreed to allow me on the mat for the second half of the hour, and after an intense warm up, began to explain Aikido to me. When she spoke about it, she spoke with passion. It truly was her life. 
She explained some of the techniques and spoke in Japanese at points, which obviously to me was dumbfounding. After feeling a few techniques, Kotegaeshi, Ikkyo and Nikkyo, I knew that this was the thing for me. The fact so much pain could be inflicted by someone of small stature, I knew then that this was going to be an art of precision and focus. Just what I was after.

Leaving the Dojo, speaking to the rest of the class I was so happy to have met these men and women and was extremely excited about the next class. 
I went home with a huge smile on my face and for the rest of the week I proceeded to do nothing but watch videos online and prepare for the battering (I hoped) I would receive. 

This was my first experience on the mat, and meeting the woman who would help form my character and make me a better person. 

More to come.]]></body>
	<date>03-15-2013</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4749">
	<title><![CDATA[The First Step.]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[So my name is Mark. I train and practice Aikido. Have done for nearly five years, with it's ups and downs. 

I don't believe that I started Aikido for the ''wrong reasons'', much like many other people. I began this adventurous path as I wanted something in my life to focus on, to feel a sense of achievement and purpose, not to learn how to beat someone up. Although Initially my aim was to speed through the ranks and be the best Aikidoka and technician in my club, to be able to ''roll with the big guys'', how misguided I was(am). 

''There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking''

I wish that I had realized that this path we have all chosen, is not about getting to Dan grades, being the best, having the best Irimi or Kote. I feel that Budo is lost in modern day Aikido, I think that if we (generalization) focus more on O'sensei's teachings about Budo, Spiritual teachings and how to interact properly with one another, our Aikido will be better for it. 

Only a lowly second kyu who's opinions are probably highly conceited and controversial. My blog will most likely contain moans and groans of the situation our Club is in after the loss of our Club founder and Sensei. More on that later. 

Comments welcome, criticism needed and views valued. 

Thanks for taking time to read this introduction. 
Mark.]]></body>
	<date>03-15-2013</date>
</blogEntry>


</blogEntries>