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I typed this out in response to a post that seemed to embrace the separation of the Iwama school from Aikikai, I'll elaborate when I have more time.
Speaking as an aikidoka who practices the Iwama facet of aikido, I think that it is important to remember the 'ai' in aikido is not just about harmony of the body, but also harmony of the mind, and relation to our fellows.
Rejection and apathy seem to run counter to the 'ai' aspect and I would hope that any person involved would examine their part in the ordeal. Still, harmony is dynamic, so all parties are responsible for blending and adjusting.
I do not know the 'real' story of this move, nor do I think most of us will ever.I'll still accent on my preferred Iwama forms, and hold M. Saito and H. Saito in very high esteem, but I'll not question the legitimacy of any other style, nor will I think of myself as separate from any other aikidoka.
I would encourage all who have strong feelings about this subject to examine the origin of those feelings and perspectives, and begin to relate them to the 'ai' aspect.
more...
I think what stands out to me is the idea that people say "my aikido is the True Aikido". I understand that a person can be passionate and feel loyal to their form and to their teacher, but noone is exactly O'Sensei in the sense that they do not have his body or his experiences, so we are our own manifestations of O'Sensei in the best manner that we can recreate.
So passion and determination can cause situations which stunt harmonic growth. Bummer.
Still, the argument that Brand x is more a true brand than Brand y can be heard from many directions and from many brands. It runs quite similarly along the fundamantalist lines of various religions. We do not know the details and truly I cannot assume that any one 'side' is solely in power to have made the decisions that have lead to this new dynamic.
...even more...
...it is important I guess to clarify (as on the other thread) those claims. I haven't heard claims such as this by any Shihan from any direction, though the undertone amongst aikidoka is pervaisive in many 'sub'styles.
I know it sounds like PC rhetoric, but I really have seen effective use of several different aikido forms and even within forms some students are more efective at using center, 3rd point, tenkan, and irimi. Some use strength, hips, speed, or leverage more effectively than others and still within one dojo I see many different takes on the same teaching.
The separatist mindset seems to run awry of the whole tenet of harmony. I get being proud of a tradition, or happy with execution of technique, but why does it have to be rated as 'better than', what is the purpose?
11-06-2003 12:22 PM 