Going back to training

Hi All,

So im coming back to training after a 7 month stint. More since i been with the same dojo 8 years and concerned what Sensei would think since he is a traditional japanese Aikidoka. Am i being to concerned about this and should focus on training ?

Unless your reason for leaving involved some heated argument with your sensei, you are probably being overly worried about it. Just some offhand remarks like "it has been way too long..." and "I forgot how much I enjoyed this!" ought to be enough.

If you did leave after an argument, be genuinely humble and repentant. Keep an apology short and simple; being long-winded or making a spectacle of yourself is false humility.

Talk to your sensei. Whatever the terms of your hiatus, your sensei is a human being. If you stopped speaking to a friend for seven months and then wanted to resume your relationship, don't you think a conversation first would be a good thing?

Hi Thank you for your response.

No falling out.

I just have alot of respect for my Sensei

Bring him a little gift and ask to start training again.

I wouldn't be to concerned. It happens all the time. I suspect he will be pleased that you returned.

After training with her from the late '90s to 2008 or so, I left the dojo for nearly a decade. I finally got my various damaged parts pulled back together to begin training again about 1 1/2 years ago. I was nervous about what Sensei would say when I asked her if I could return, but all she said was "We'd be glad to have you back!"

I don't think that would be an unusual response.

How could your sensei think it better for you not to return? I think you are worrying about nothing. Be humble; train hard...