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Old 10-20-2009, 12:50 AM   #21
yankeechick
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 17
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Re: "New York Aikikai Etiquette"

I am late to the thread, but here are a few thoughts:

1. Tonya's blog is well writen and expressive of her observations at a place where she trains intensely (as an uchi deshi).

2. What she describes is common for most established dojos. The Shihan don't want their newer students injured, or abused. It's bad for business and it creates a bad training spirit in the dojo.

3. Every dojo I've ever seen in the past twenty five years has its share of students who think it's a good thing to be tough and rough up the new comer. It takes a strong character and an intelligent mind to put a stop to this type of boorish behavior.

4. If anything, I think the NY Aikikai understands that it wishes to minimize injuries and let visitors know that there is a policy not to abuse people.

It all sounds good to me. Thanks Tonya for the education. BTW, she no longer posts to "diary of an uchi deshi". It seems to have ended in September.

Train hard and train safely, fellow aikidosa!
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