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Old 12-05-2001, 09:52 AM   #22
Richard Harnack
Dojo: Aikido Institute of Mid-America
Location: Maplewood, Missouri
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 137
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Square Hours in rank

1. While hours may sound "strange" to some, they do give a general idea of frequency of attendance. Thus is someone trains only once a week for 1 - 2 hours each time, they are not necessarily going to advance as quickly as someone who trains three or four times a week for 1 -2 hours each time.

2. I have had some students who come into training with great natural abilities, who figure that because they have these natural abilities they don't need to put in time. The problem is that even the ones who stay around to reach shodan seldom stay with the art because they feel they can "short circuit" everything. Natural ability comprises less than half of what is needed.

3. By the same token I have had students who were extremely uncoordinated when they started training. They had to earn every bit of gracefulness along the way. They usually stay past their shodan and go onto a long career in Aikido. Ultimatley they surpass the "natural athlete".

4. Lest you misunderstand, however, those who show up and spend their whole time talking about Aikido and telling others what to do, do not advance as quickly as those who show up and train.

5. So it is hours in rank, plus time spent training, plus time spent achieving understanding, plus developing skill and gracefulness which add up to being "qualified" to test for your rank.

6. Lastly, only those who stay in training ever earn their rank.

Last edited by Richard Harnack : 12-05-2001 at 09:54 AM.

Yours In Aiki,
Richard Harnack
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