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Old 08-04-2007, 06:37 PM   #1
Beau
Location: Tallahassee, Fl
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 16
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Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

Hello all,

In a response to all of the threads that involve the question of whether or not Aikido works in a fight, or if it is worth practicing, or "why we train", I wanted to share a personal story.
I started my training in aikido nearly 20 years ago. I was an extremely sickly asthmatic kid that was constantly picked at by siblings and classmates. At first all I wanted was to be stronger than every one around me. Man, I trained and studied like an animal. When I wasn't in class, I was outside training myself, if I wasn't doing that, I was reading about Aikido. (Hell, my parents thought I was obsessed!)
Well, needless to say, the picking stopped (as did the asthma!!) I was able to confidently stand up to anyone that was giving me trouble. Basically, Aikido saved my high school experience. (Actually it made me a bit popular, I had most of the football team training during the summers with me at my house)
Then came college. I decided to work some security at the local night clubs. Again, thanks Aikido for being there for me.

Then came the big fight....Earlier this year I noticed that I just wasn't feeling right. I was abnormally tired after weight training and felt like I had a hernia. As it would turn out, it was cancer. Of all of the fights that can come your way during a lifetime, I learned quickly that the real tough ones aren't random ninja attacks on the street. The hard part was telling friends, family and loved ones. Man life got turbulant! Its funny though, all I could think about through all of it was to put my money where my mouth was. All of this training to build an immovable center, and now I was being tested.

Thoughout the surgeries, the treatments, the waiting for test results I was able to maintain my center. I was able to comfort those who loved me, and those that were going through the same things or worse. There have been times when I asked myself why keep training? I will never ask that question again. O'sensei was brilliant in his design of Aikido. If you keep your head down and your training hard and earnest...it will give back to you many times what you have put into it.

My family, my friends, and myself owe a great deal to Aikido. Even though I have not been able to train for a long while now and my body failed for a time, my mind and my "aiki" were steadfast by my side. I will be back Aikido...I promise you that.

Just wanted to share with my aiki-family.

Train hard everyone,
Beau
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Old 08-04-2007, 07:13 PM   #2
Qatana
 
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Dojo: Aikido of Petaluma, Petaluma,CA
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

Beautiful

Q
http://www.aikidopetaluma.com/
www.knot-working.com

"It is not wise to be incautious when confronting a little smiling bald man"'- Rule #1
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Old 08-04-2007, 09:58 PM   #3
Janet Rosen
 
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Location: Left Coast
Join Date: May 2002
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

Thank you, Beau. And...you are not the first person to relate winning this very kind of "fight" thanks to lessons learned in training...may it continue to hold you in good stead for many more yrs!

Janet Rosen
http://www.zanshinart.com
"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
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Old 08-04-2007, 10:29 PM   #4
Aikibu
Dojo: West Wind Dojo Santa Monica California
Location: Malibu, California
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,295
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

Thank you Beau for your inspiration.

William Hazen
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Old 08-04-2007, 11:15 PM   #5
ChrisHein
 
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Dojo: Aikido of Fresno
Location: Fresno , CA
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

I don't think it was Aikido, but the guy practicing it! Thanks for your words.

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Old 08-05-2007, 09:46 AM   #6
jennifer paige smith
 
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Dojo: Confluence Aiki-Dojo / Santa Cruz Sword Club
Location: Santa Cruz
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,049
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

Quote:
Chris Hein wrote: View Post
I don't think it was Aikido, but the guy practicing it! Thanks for your words.
A winning combination.
Gamatte!

Jennifer Paige Smith
Confluence Aikido Systems
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Old 08-08-2007, 10:33 AM   #7
Takuan
Dojo: Circulo de Aikido
Location: rio de janeiro
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 29
Brazil
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

Awesome Beau!
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Old 08-09-2007, 04:29 PM   #8
Mike Hamer
 
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Dojo: Shinki Rengo, Mt. Pleasant MI
Location: Alma, MI
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

That was very encourging, thanks for sharing your story!

P.S
So did you like keep one point while getting your treatments and stuff?

To speak ill of anything is against the nature of Aikido
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Old 08-09-2007, 08:00 PM   #9
Mary Turner
Dojo: Joshinkan
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 56
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

very inspiring words, Beau.

I hope to work out with you one day.
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Old 08-09-2007, 09:25 PM   #10
Mark Uttech
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
Location: Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,224
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Re: Aikido DOES work well in a fight...

The reality of aikido is stories like this; where 'shomenuchi' becomes 'cancer' or 'divorce'. O Sensei said that to cover all of your openings is to stand and acknowledge your fear of death. When you acknowledge and accept your fear of death, you can look at the other person and know that there is 'no other'.

In gassho,

Mark

- Right combination works wonders -
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