Your Face is Pressed Against the Mat

by Vincent John, 5th Kyu

Your face is pressed against the mat. This serves to relieve the pressure derived from whoever is stretching your right arm up towards your spine, firmly into your back. At first nothing is felt. Not a shred of discomfort. You quietly think to yourself, “Is this the correct technique? Am I situated wrong? Should I alter my position or shift my weight?” You lay there considering these frivolous notions, neglecting to observe a rapid pulsation and heat stemming from your body. 

As in all matters, the body can sense trouble before the mind.

In an instant swirling and surging, what you callously thought wouldn’t happen, does. Pain. Wet hot, sticky pain. Being lost in your surroundings, the mind you were so dependent on forgets to tap the mat. Provoking your sparring partner to add a little more pressure, I.e. pain, to the moment.

Finally, you tap and are released. You stand up, brush yourself off, say thank you, and do it again. Now on your left arm.

A quick Google search on Aikido will bring you this:

Way of Adapting the Spirit. That is Aikido. Fluidly adapting movement for a better outcome. Which useful during an actual attack against an aggressor of bigger stature.

But is it not the teachings of Aikido to avoid fighting at all cost? A teacher of my mine once said, “If you allowed the fight to happen you have already lost.” I am paraphrasing, but that is the basic jest. Which is unquestionably true. If someone comes up to you out of the blue, calls you a demeaning name, the genuine best defense for that is, smile, nod, and walk away.

So why train?

Why put your body through being pulled and prodded. Why be bruised and exhausted upon entering your home after an extra rigorous class? Why waste your free time for something that will lead to nothing?Instead, could not each Aikido class be a thirty-minute discussion on how to diffuse violent bullies through peaceful negotiation?

The answer to that is no. Not because some would-be-attacker is a capable fighter easily dealing out hordes of anguish. Sure that is part of it. Every individual should be prepared with the basic knowledge on defending himself or herself.

But the true reason for training in hot weather, or cold, with bruises and none existent personal time, is not for the cardio. It is for the mind. Yeah remember that overtly confident element of cognition I spoke of earlier? And how I thought either my partner or I got the technique wrong before the pain hit?

Well, in a sense I did get the technique wrong.

The mind tells us what it needs. When it calls for it, and whom it requires it from. Never ceasing, never wavering. Neither in our sleep nor in reflection.

Most of all the mind tells us our approach is correct. That there is no other perspective. We are all destined to one point perspectives since humans do not share the connected consciousness as Ants. Obviously thank goodness for that. But, the tricky part is how does one bend to the will of someone else without breaking.

Do not believe me? Then try this fun little game!

I do not want you to picture pink elephants dancing in a disco. Seriously stop!

I told you stop! Stop thinking about it.

So what were you just thinking about? Y eah...

I challenged you to stop thinking of cute pink elephants and try as you might, it was tough wasn’t it?

You tell me no, my mind will somehow discover a yes. Which if you are human, and I have a suspicion that you are, 95% of the time that is excellent news. It is how as a species we built towers and flown planes and sailed to the moon.

But there is a certain mischievous 5% that when occurs no mind in human existence can find a yes. Where the only answer is no.

One day it will attack you; and I do not mean physically. Metaphorically, you will be cornered against a wall. Surrounded. Got. No where to flee.

It is in those moments when A Way of Adapting the Spirit comes into fruition. The fluid nature of being able to bend but not break.

It is the inner balance, a core strength that comes through preparation for the mental fight. That in truth, has already made you victorious.

Training is not for the purpose of the physical fight, but to anticipate the fight within.

Simple Truths of Weeding

{Weeding my garden this morning, kneeling close to the ground under the Southern California sun, brought about some simple truths— for life, for Aikido. Just like weeding, we are evolving in our Aikido by peeling off, ridding of the extra, and digging deep.}

 

Peace can be found within the work of weeding.

 

Every side has another side: Fallen branches were once climbing toys of squirrels.

 

Use your center to uproot large weeds. We can have a good read on the root's depth once we engage our center as we start pulling. Uprooting must be done with sensitivity, precision, and force—all at the same time.

 

The hard physical work of weeding has its great rewards of breathing Earth's scent and being caressed by sunlight and sweet breezes.

 

‘Let go’ practice in weeding work is very useful.

 

Weeding is usually satisfying, but not always—especially when facing a beautiful yellow dandelion—its only wrongdoing is growing in a wrong spot, or when feeling the pain of thorny weeds, exposing our vulnerability.

 

Sometimes the best power is found in our "weak side". Let the "strong side" learn from it.

Hidden treasures are everywhere. Keeping eyes and heart open bring about great discoveries.

 

Cherish weeding days. There will always be enough weeds, but not as many days.

Why Do I Keep Visiting My Sensei Every Few Weeks?

 By Lee Lavi Ramirez

Life Is Short

Some of my peers have recently lost their teachers, as many of O’Sensei’s students have passed away in the last few years. Although the legacy and strong memory that their teachers have left within them, I can feel their yearning. This is a constant reminder that every moment counts, and every opportunity should be taken, as my teacher continues deepening his study of Aikido. As long as Sensei is here and as long as I am here, this is what Ichi-Go Ichi-E is about, capturing the Now and its offerings.

Learning, learning, learning

It never stops. No matter how long I’ve been a teacher—there is always more to unveil. Keeping my hunger and seeking into my study—and learning simply happens. Looking up to the finest resource, my Sensei, takes me on a journey of discovery, and unravels my evolution as a martial artist.

Continue Being Inspired

My teacher is an ever-changing master of Aikido. He is a true seeker of the Way, who is training daily on the mat. Sensei is a living example of pure research of the path of Aikido. His total dedication and one-pointedness are rare. Seeing Sensei walking this path is inspiring beyond words, it uplifts my spirit.

Benefits of Long Term Teacher-Student Relationships

Long term relationships have their friction; the friction of time. In a world that tempts hopping from one thing to the next, this option is not always easy. It is where the rubber meets the road. I know that the most enlightening lessons in my life were derived from this friction—and as so, I protect this wellspring, amidst its intense nature. It is priceless.

Sharing the Passion

Having students is what makes me a teacher. Every time I am back from visiting Sensei, I carry something for our Dojo members. I am not sure as for what it is exactly, although they feel it, and I can see it in their training. A gift is being passed from one student of the art to the next, precious and exciting.

Because of Love

Amoris amor creates, Love creates love. When one loves what they do, it is catching on to others, and the ripple grows. Love is something we do, not just say. The work of love is done by deeds, and by being present. For my love of Aikido was so often fired up by my teacher, visiting Sensei, as often as I possibly can, is one physical expression of this love—perhaps the clearest one of them all.

Written with deep gratitude to my teacher, I. Shibata Sensei

Lee Lavi Ramirez is the chief instructor of North Valley Aikikai, and has been training Aikido under Shibata Sensei for the past 22 years.