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Young Grasshopper Blog Tools Rating: Rate This Blog
Creation Date: 01-28-2011 01:49 PM
OwlMatt
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A blog written from the point of view of a martial arts beginner, which I am. You can find the full blog at http://yghmartialarts.blogspot.com. Here on AikiWeb, I'll post only those entries which are relevant to aikido.
Blog Info
Status: Public
Entries: 28
Comments: 78
Views: 131,868

In General Keeping Martial in Mind Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #5 New 02-04-2011 06:01 PM
I have a couple of instructors at the dojo who sometimes lament that we get so caught up in trying to master the softness and subtlety of aikido that we forget to make sure that our aikido actually works. To be sure, there is a temptation to get lost in the more internal aspects of aikido and end up practicing something that is more meditative dance than martial art.

I suppose there's nothing wrong with that; I'm sure there are plenty of benefits of practicing aikido that way. But I came to the dojo with the goal of becoming a martial artist, and my intention is to use my dojo time to pursue that goal.

This is hard to remember sometimes when the sensei wants to work on connection and softness and ki and I still haven't grasped the basic movements of the technique. It's not that I doubt my teachers have a purpose behind what they're teaching; it's that the purpose is not always readily apparent. And because I don't want to question my teachers at every turn, my unasked questions about purpose and practicality often remain unanswered indefinitely.

No doubt, some of the aikidoka reading this would reply that waiting for answers to reveal themselves and discovery of truth over time are a part of aikido. And they'd be right. But that doesn't make it any easier.

This is one of the reasons, I think, that I haven't been able to give up on taekwondo, despite my previously documented conclusion that aikido is where my future lies. In taekwondo, I never have the opportunity to forget about making my art work on a practical, physical level. If my kick lacks power, it won't break the board. If my kick lacks speed, my opponent will easily block and counter.

Don't get me wrong; it's not that I think taekwondo is a more effective martial art. Taekwondo, with its great emphasis on competitive sport, probably has its own problems in that department. But for me there are many fewer obstacles in taekwondo to the maintenence of a martial state of mind.

This is what I'm hoping to cultivate in my continued training in taekwondo: a martial state of mind, which I can bring back to my aikido training. In terms of physics and technique, I've found very little compatibility between aikido and taekwondo so far. But I still think taekwondo plays an important role in my development as an aikidoka. Whenever I get lazy or bored in the dojo and start to forget that what I'm learning is supposed to be a martial art, I'm hoping my taekwondo habits will be there to slap my wrists.

And there have been days when my wrists have neeeded a lot of slapping.
Views: 2992 | Comments: 4


RSS Feed 4 Responses to "Keeping Martial in Mind"
#4 02-08-2011 10:50 AM
OwlMatt Says:
I totally agree, Billy. I do not doubt the power of the "soft" elements of aikido at all. My problem is in maintaining the proper martial attitude while training something confusing and nebulous that isn't going to show instant results. In taekwondo, which offers much more instant gratification, I sometimes find it easier to maintain that martial attitude, which I hope I can bring back to my aikido training.
#3 02-07-2011 08:57 AM
Makochan Says:
Hi Matt; It's not a question of soft/flow vs. hard/martial it's about the right way vs. the wrong way. My teacher taught us to loose the arm/upper body power and harness the power of hips, legs and connection to the mat. Years later from following correctly not many can block me. Martial is a state of mind (you have it already) it's how you approach training and how honest your training is. Find a partner you rate as good and train honestly with them. Kindest Billy
#2 02-05-2011 11:37 AM
OwlMatt Says:
You might be right, Corina. In any case, I don't mean to criticize or even question my senseis here. I'm just trying to find a way to maintain my own zanshin in cases when my objective is not totally clear.
#1 02-05-2011 02:01 AM
guest1234567 Says:
Hi Matt, I wonder about your teacher, maybe your whole class is too martial minded and that is his way to soften you. We also practice connection and ki but in a very martial way, maybe our teacher thinks we are too soft and thats is the way he uses to awaken us and make us strong..
 




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