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Old 06-16-2005, 09:15 PM   #2
Jorge Garcia
Dojo: Shudokan School of Aikido
Location: Houston
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 608
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Re: Beginner Advice?

I think all that you will experience all those things for sure. The only thing I would add is that you have to make up your mind in advance that you won't give up when you feel those things because expecting them is still different from feeling them and you will need to convince yourself to continue despite the irrationality of it. Over the last ten years, I have had to find reasons to continue that motivated me. At first, it was weight control. After I lost 53 pounds, then it was improving and making the next rank. Later, it became to keep my son in it. Then I began to like it and I didn't want to lose it in my life. Today, it's helping others find all the benefits of Aikido that I have enjoyed because of the last ten years of practice. All the questions I have ever had about this art have been answered on the mat and as my former teacher, Rick Laue used to say, "You have to find ways to stay on the mat at all costs."
Best wishes,

"It is the philosophy that gives meaning to the method of training."
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