Aikido in the work place

My dojo has a variety of people, much like any other dojo. However, I find it interesting that we have Corrections Officers and Teachers who apply Aikido techniques as part of their daily work.

I have used many techniques working in "tough" schools. I find mostly that I use more Aikido in verbal situations. It allows me to remain calm and in control. I blend. If the situation goes bad, I have a physical response that causes minimal harm, and often protects the student from harming themselves, or others.

Aikido works in my job. Does it work at yours?

We don't have physical attacks in my workplace, and (thankfully) we've got a healthy culture where verbal attacks, no matter how subtle, are not tolerated. There really isn't a need to use some kind of "self-defense" tactic in an environment where attacks really don't happen.

...and no...it's not paradise. It's very different from your environment, though. It's a workplace with human beings who get frustrated and get mad at each other from time to time, but where everyone is an adult, is there by choice, and has bought into our standards. As a result, it's an environment where anyone who is attacked can simply say, "Hey, stop that", and where everyone is expected to cooperate and work things out. Anyone who didn't would be shown the door in short order (I can state this based on some of the things that people have been fired for).

Thanks Mary. I sometimes wish I worked in a quieter location. I enjoy what I do. I see aikido far more in the things that do not become ugly. True Budo is in everything. One student told me that he focuses projecting his ki when pushing a door open as it swings, or in mowing his lawn.

Thanks for the response - train well!

Yeah I find there is nothing like a lightning fast iriminage to respond to an attacking rooster and ground him fast

Aikido works all the time.

As my boss also trains and teaches (albeit at a different dojo to me) we'll sometimes have discussions and maybe run through a few techniques (without the throw due to office furniture )

Ruth

Hi,

I work with the EU and with different international organisations...and there is a guy at the European Commission with whom I would so much wish to practice a very special form of kote gaeshi...where you twist the wrist directly towards the partner but then retreat so that instead of making a backwards roll he should get on his knees and follow you kneeling.

My dream since three years, but until now he never gave me really a valid excuse to do so
But I'm sure the day I get this occasion it will work wonderfully!

Have a nice day,

Eva

Aikido, to me, is like Rhetoric. It's able to be discovered, learned-from and understood in every aspect of life.

My favorite example so far is the unbendable arm, keeping a relaxed yet aware mind outside of the conflict. This has been valuable at school, work, and really everywhere else (like late evening Wal-Mart journeys...).

Last week as I was closing up I had a parent stop by who was very mad (at me). Without going into the details with you I will explain that as soon as I encountered her attack I identified common ground and "blended." She should have been mad, but not at me. As I let her "attack" and "over extend" I was able to help her find her center and we saw things the same way. My decision never changed, and I never met her force on force. In the end she understood me decision and realized her child was at fault. We discussed how to further resolve her problem and left the building talking about something totally not related to the initial issue.

Aikido - not all ukes have to "blend" with the mat!

Train well!