Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 13
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Hello everyone, new to Aikiweb
Good Morning,
Ive been reading many topics on your site, and I find it calming, in alot of areas, to read about others with the same questions as mine.
Ive sat on the sidelines for 3 and a half years, watching my oldest son work himself up thru the ranks of Taekwondo, and then into Kyukido. My wife joined him, and then so did my youngest son, but I still sat and watched. I wanted very much to join in, but for fear of looking stupid, or not capable, I didnt. Well, 1 year ago today, I joined Kyukido with the family. It was a major struggle physically and mentally in the beginning. I kept thinking to myself, how in the world are these people doing what they are doing. I kept at it, and found my place within my training. Early on, I thought, Kyukido was frustrating to learn, until I joined in the Aikido class our school offered. The Aikido seemed hopeless for me, and almost had me beat, where I thought, maybe this isnt for me. I pushed thru these feelings, which by the way, were all in my head. ( as Im sure all of you can agree with). The frustrations came mostly from not understanding the terminology, and trying to make my body move without thinking. I didnt get it. A few months after I started Aikido, I thought I would give Judo a go. Now, that was the MOST frustrating thing to pick up on. You see a trend here? Here is where I feel I am today. My Kyukido, in my opinion, has greatly improved, because of my training in Aikido. My Aikido has greatly improved, in my opinion, because of my training in Judo. When Im practicing in these arts, I feel like I understand why Im doing what Im doing. Ive learned to breath, relax, and enjoy. I just need to find another art to help my Judo. hahahah.
I recently tested for my 5th kyu in Aikido, blue stripe in Kyukido, and I just earned my first rank in Judo. All three of these arts, although very very different, seem to compliment each other inside me. I feel great. I feel strong in mind and body. More so, than I ever have in my life. I used to look at the (ever famous term) black belt as a goal. To be honest, now that I feel Im starting to understand the real teachings behind Aikido, and what the martial arts really mean to me, those black belts, which I will get to when the time is right, are not my goal. My goal is within myself. Im not sure of the words to describe this, but I feel as if, every level of training will bring new changes inside, to my personality and how I present myself to the world around me. At 39 years old, I never thought I would be here, doing what Im doing. My only wish, is I would have begun this when my body could do what my mind was telling it to do.
Sorry for the long winded story. I look forward to continuing to read what the members of this site have to offer, and Im sure it will help me thru those times, when I start to doubt myself again.
Gary
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