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<blogEntries>
<blogEntry id="4567">
	<title><![CDATA[Now that I've slept]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[It was such a great feeling to be back practicing yesterday. Sensei Vic was very nice to me he started with the basics like ikkyo, kotegashi, shio nage, etc. Sensei also explained a little about muscle, and relaxtion. It was quite amazing as I grabbed his wrist he tensed up and I was able to feel his center and could be able to push him back. I then performed the same grab again and he relaxed. This time I could not push him back. I could not feel his center at all. Aikido never stops amazing me.]]></body>
	<date>07-17-2012</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4566">
	<title><![CDATA[I'm Back]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[This is going to be a short entry. I woke up at 4am worked 2 jobs than went to practice.I'm tired and going to bed.:ai: :ki: :do: 

P.S. It was great being back on the mat.]]></body>
	<date>07-16-2012</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4562">
	<title><![CDATA[It's been a long time]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Back in action again on Monday! So happy to start practicing again. With the birth of my children it seems like I stop practicing more times than I start. I'm just coming of another year long hiatus. With my youngest son being born last August and being sick the first 6 months of his life and myself working my way through Barber college I didn't necessarily have time to practice. Well, my son is doing awesome I have since then graduated from school and I am slowly building my business (even though I still have a full time job). I have miraculously found a way to work 3 jobs be a father to my children, a husband to my wife and  be a committed Aikidoka. I couldn't be more happy to have all these wonderful things [I]and[/I] be able to practice Aikido. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? :ai: :ki: :do:]]></body>
	<date>07-12-2012</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4293">
	<title><![CDATA[What would O Sensei do?]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Being relatively new to Aikido I've really struggled with blending, and being centered in certain situations. I sometimes think I have to be a push over in order to be a good Aikidoka. I sometimes wonder if I should feel mad and angry or just smile and be peaceful. 

A great example is when I'm driving and someone cuts me off and has the potential to injure me and my family or possibly kill us from the persons reckless driving. What would O Sensei do? Would he get mad and say something to the individual or would he take another road (figuratively speaking)? 

Now I am using this example as just that, an example. I am aware of the times being completely different and I am looking for a comparison. I believe if O Sensei was in a similar situation he would say or do something to let it be known that the person is wrong.  Our art is is deeply rooted in the Samurai way if I'm not mistaken and I don't think any Samurai would tolerate any kind of disrespect or allowing a person to behave in a way where their own well being could be compromised. I realize that I can't go around swinging a katana like schizophrenic hopped up on P.C.P., but I do want to represent the art and lifestyle I have come to love and appreciate in a positive light. 

Some of you may think I'm being a little ridiculous and I should take an anger management class, but again this is just an example and I'm sure you can a relate. Weather it be an altercation at work or at the supermarket. We all run into these people on a regular basis and have to deal with them the best way we can. I would love any and all advice on the subject.:ai: :ki: :do: :grr:]]></body>
	<date>09-01-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4290">
	<title><![CDATA[Take a forward roll from here?]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Tonight was a rough one. The whole class tonight was a giant ukemi workshop. My back is sore from flipping instead of rolling, and my shoulders feel extremely tight as if I was in a straight jacket for a year. As sore as I am and as sore as I'm going to be tomorrow I'm really glad I was there tonight. When I decided to start training again one of the things I wanted to really understand and become good at was ukemi. We all know it's a huge part of Akido but sometimes I think practicing and honing it takes a back seat to the throws and techniques. Between Mondays class which involved a boatload of suwari waza techniques and today's ukemi butt whoopin I might have to break out the Icy Hot.:ai: :ki: :do:]]></body>
	<date>08-24-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4289">
	<title><![CDATA[Connection]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last night at the dojo sensei Tom did a lot of push hand, connection type exercises. All the exercises were (as with all Aikido) executed better while being relaxed. It was so awesome to be able to feel that connection and energy from your partner and being able to perform a technique with said energy. I often times feel like we perform our locks and throws so quickly that we don't have time to feel the energy being passed to us. I think these techniques really help you slow down and feel your way through them. For a lower ranking Aikidoka like myself it really helped with my blending.

The last couple classes we've had a visitor, and last night was his last class. If it is at all possible for a straight happily married man to have an Aikido crush on another man it would be Pat.:blush:  Just like the little league players idolize they're favorite big league players I have a similar admiration for our visitor Pat. I wouldn't go as far as saying I idolize him, rather a huge respect and hoping that one day I will have the same Aikido "swaggar" as him. (I'm not really sure if there is such a thing). He has so much power and at the same time so much  control. I look forward to the day I can posses the same power.:ai: :ki: :do:]]></body>
	<date>08-23-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4287">
	<title><![CDATA[Brain Fart]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[If I could sum up practice today it would be brain fart. Now this may be odd but I think what happend to me today had more to do with thinking too much as opposed to not thinking at all. 

Today we broke into two groups and performed each technique around the group twice. So of course me being the lowest rank I went last. So I observed everyone doing the technique and I focused really hard. In some cases I tried the technique on my imaginary uke while waiting to attack. So my turn to be nage came, uke would attack and I would sit there with this look on my face as if someone asked me to explain the theory of relativity. Now that I'm home sitting on my couch typing away it dawned on me that I was thinking too much, I wasn't reacting, and I wasn't using my center to throw. I had all these things going through my mind that I wanted to improve on that I wasn't relaxed, and I was trying so hard that when it came time for me to do what I was supposed to be doing I came up blank. I'm planning on leaving my brain at home on Monday and just bringing my center to class. If I'm lucky maybe some extra stamina will come along too.:ai: :ki: :do:]]></body>
	<date>08-19-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4284">
	<title><![CDATA[Great Practice]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Tonight I really enjoyed class. I mean I always enjoy it but tonight there were more people there so I had the oppurtunity to throw a variety of uke. I again felt more comfortable with the movement even though it may not look like it. I would like to develop my footwork alot more. I notice how my sesei and higher ranking aikidoka slide into position and move tenkan etc. with such ease. I also envy the strength of their grip, it's unbelieveably strong and rigid while the same time it's very relaxed. I used to think I was a pretty strong guy but I was wrong I really need to get one of those grip exerciser things to build up my strength so I can at least hang on when I'm uke. I'm really hoping I can make it to class on Friday I would like to get into some kind of routine, but I know with a newborn at home that is asking alot. Anyway I hope everyone enjoyed their class as much as me today. And if anyone can tell me how to make this painfull stiffness in my neck and shoulder area go away that I contracted from moving the wrong way, I would greatly appreciate it.:)  OK Sierra Nevada Torpedos are calling my name.:ai: :ki: :do:]]></body>
	<date>08-17-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4276">
	<title><![CDATA[Getting aquainted with my body]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last evening we had a great practice at the club. By good I mean that my partners didn't have to keep stopping to show me the technique too much. Although my flexibility has never been all that great last night is was a little easier to stretch over my beer belly. We did alot of shio nage and towards the end of class and I felt a little of the Aikido cordination I did have coming back to me. I really can't wait to get used to the heat in the dojo. I have never sweated so much during practice. :yuck:]]></body>
	<date>08-09-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4273">
	<title><![CDATA[Future Aikido Master]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[[IMG]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/6020422456_933fd5ef48_m.jpg[/IMG]


Here he is! No. 2. Jackson Shane Bournival. Me and my wife are so excited to have our new addition to our family. She is such a trooper, she feels so good that she's "letting" me out for a couple hours tomorrow to go to the dojo. Can't wait for both boys to be old enough to bring them to the childerens class.:ai: :ki::do:]]></body>
	<date>08-07-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4269">
	<title><![CDATA[Big Day]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Were leaving to go to the hospital for the c-section in 45 min. I didn't sleep a wink. 8AM we will bring Jackson into the world. I will post pics ASAP.:ai: :ki: :do:]]></body>
	<date>08-03-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4267">
	<title><![CDATA[Answered my own question]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I recently posted a thread asking the difference between Kokikai vs Aikikai. I didn't expect anyone to tell me one was better than the other but I was hoping for someone to post about difference in power between the two styles. Well I have found out for myself. I am lucky I have the energy to sit up and type, my body is drained like I have never felt before. I'm not gonna be the one to say it, well, maybe I will. Aikikai is way more "physical" than the Kokikai dojo I was at . It's practiced like a martial art  rather than a dance with no music. To me Kokikai seems as if they're trying to learn to throw with magic as opposed to technique. I am very happy that I made the switch. Don't get me wrong my Kokikai dojo was great but I think to be a great Aikidoka you need a balance of Ki and good technique and I felt I was praticing Ki exercises more times than actually learning Aikido techniques. Before anyone starts to leave the comments about Tohei Sensei and the other great Ki society senseis I am fully aware of their greatness, I'm just a guy writing a blog voicing my opinion. :ai: :ki: :do: ;)]]></body>
	<date>08-01-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4265">
	<title><![CDATA[Groovin on a Sunday...]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[So I had a little trouble sleeping last night. I've been anxious to get back to training tomorrow. I don't want to say that I'm trying to impress but I do want my Sensei and fellow Aikidoka to know that I am serious about my Aikido practice.

First thing this morning I did a little ukemi pratice on the living room carpet. I also attached a belt to the wall on a swivel to emulate uke's arm while practicing moving under for shio-nage. I did vairous ki exercises as well. My son really enjoys Funakogi Undo. 

My wife wrote a list of things that need to get done in preparation for our new bundle of joy on wed. I hope he sleeps like my first son did but I'm aware it won't happen. I'm not working nights anymore so getting to the dojo will be alot easier on me since I can go to the evening classes. I'm so excited to have Aikido in my life again. I hope one day everyone can find out how awesome it really is.:ai: :ki: :do: :D]]></body>
	<date>07-31-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4263">
	<title><![CDATA[Tradition]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[One of the things that drew me towards Aikido and Japanese culture in general is the tradition. I am very much a traditionalist in more than a few aspects of my life. Some things I think should just not be toyed with. I mean could you imagine walking into dojo not bowing, leaving your shoes on etc.. Besides being proper etiquette all those things are tradition. Here in the U.S. we have Thanksgiving and it is tradition to have the biggest turkey you can find with stuffing,cranberry sauce and other seasonal delights. We don't mess with that. We sit and watch football, stuff our faces and then pass out into a food coma.

                   My point to this ramble is what is going on in the world today? Every where I look it's unisex this metro sexual that. What happened to the man's man? All of a sudden everywhere I look I see guys in pink shirts, drinking a designer coffee talking about how they have to go tanning then to the salon (yes the salon) to get they're haircut. What happened to regular coffee, being in the sun and going to the barber? It doesn't stop there. Today I have to (against my will) go to a wedding shower! No your eyes do not deceive you, a wedding shower! Where am I? Did I go to sleep and wake up in a queer eye show? Now having said all that I guess I myself am turning into what I despise the most. If I was a man's man I would do my best Jackie Gleason put my foot down and say I'm not goin! But hey, if I have to go maybe we can stop at Starbucks on the way.;)]]></body>
	<date>07-30-2011</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4261">
	<title><![CDATA[Intro]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[[INDENT][/INDENT]My first entry wil just be a veiw into who I am. My name is Shane,  I am 29 years old, married with a beautiful 22 month old son and another arriving in 5 days. I'm a 5th kyu in Kokikai style Aikido but I am making the switch to Aikikai Monday. I have also studied a little Karate, Boxing and my share of street fights (I attract all the meatheads). :rolleyes: 

[INDENT][/INDENT]At first I was unsure of switching styles. After the birth of my son it was hard for me to get to the dojo. Being a chef I was working till 11 getting home @ 1am and then finally fall asleep @2-3. I would get about 3 1/2 hrs of sleep and go to the dojo. I don't have to say how exhausting that is. So I took about a year off, sitting home reading and searching the web to get my Aikido fix just wasn't cutting it. I decided to start training again.
 
[INDENT][/INDENT]As I stated before I had doubts of switching styles, I thought about my previous experiences as well as the principals, and "softness" of the Kokikai style. I feel that the new dojo will be a better fit for me who are also doing cross traing with serious Jiu-Jitsu artists. I guess that appeals to me just like it would any other guy. Maybe it's my alpha male trait coming out trying to be the badest Aikidoka ever or maybe I am not lying to myself, and I do truely believe that I want to be able to defend myself while taking care of my attacker. Maybe it's a little of both or maybe something totally different.:confused:]]></body>
	<date>07-29-2011</date>
</blogEntry>


</blogEntries>