Chapter 61: The Spirit of Aikido

A strange title to a blog post I think you'll agree, but its something that I've come to reflect on in recent weeks.

I am not sure if its my recent injury that kept me away from training, or if it is a natural process of the mind wandering because I could not train, but I found myself thinking about the spiritual side of this martial art. What makes Aikido, Aikido? What compels us to return to the dojo each week regardless of what chaos and mayhem is part of our everyday lives? Why do we train and continually push individual boundaries?

I am not sure if other martial artists or other Aikidocca reflect on the spiritual side of the arts they train in and love. We all just turn up, change quickly and jump into the warm-up with gush do, don't we?

If I am honest, I do the same. I rush from work, quickly change and hit the mat. This week however, was different. For some reason, I was the first person there. I bowed on but rather than start stretching, I felt compelled to just sit in Siza for a little while, don't ask me why. It was a strange feeling, to sit there and 'feel' the quietness and stillness of the dojo-it was very soothing. Try it- you definitely feel the spirit of the dojo around you.

So, back to my wandering mind for a second. Maybe the spirit of Aikido isn't necessarily what we think it is, but maybe its a little more of the essence of the people who we train with. Whatever it is, you know what I mean-Aikido grips you in a certain way. Its not something you can put into words-all I know is, and I'm sure you'll agree-if you're not training, you don't feel whole.

Chapter 60: The recovery begins....well sort of anyway

Well, it turns out I have had hip Bursitis. I guess that explains all the pain then. Its been quite a long recovery process. In some ways, its very frustrating that the only thing I could do to help myself has been to rest. I don't do resting!

So.... I am on the mend. Although I couldn't weight bear on my hip, I took myself off to the swimming pool on my good days which has maintained my stamina and flexiability.

I 'survived' my first round robin of randori bouts for about half an hour last time I was in the dojo. I guess I have the swimming to thank for mantaining my fitness levels.

But yeah, its been hard to train. I recently had my first session back, and its frightening how much we rely on hip power to do techniques! I am finding it frustrating at the moment, because the way in which I execute technques is slightly compromised. Sometimes, a certain throw can start the pain again, making me stop and rest.

But if anything, this injury has taught me patience, something which I'm not very good at being. I wanted to recover within a couple of weeks, but this has not been so. But when I look back to a month ago, when I couldn't walk, and now I can breakfall a little, I am glad I have taken the time to allow recovery to happen at its own pace and not plowed on training through an injury which might have made the problem worse. It has also made me stop and reflect on what I want from my Aikido, and also in someways appreciate it a bit more.

So with a bit more patience and discipline with myself, I should be fully recovered very soon...

Chapter 59: Does anyone else suffer from mat withdrawl or is it just me I wonder............

Right that's it, I've had enough, I have to go back!

In case you're wondering what this is all about, I have had a hip injury which has laid me up for the last three weeks and subsequently, this means no Aikido.

Due to the nature of the injury, recovery has been slow but is progressing. But I want to go back to the Dojo NOW, darn it! Like this week, not next week or the week after. Now.

I honestly thought that with having done Aikido now for more than 5 years I would be better at managing injury, in fact even maybe be forgiven for welcoming the rest perhaps?

Nope, I miss it. I really do. I miss the social interaction, the training, and the hard mats (actually I'm fibbing-I don't miss the hard mats one bit).

So I'm really suffering from Mat Withdrawl. Right now, all I want to do is to run across a matted area and perform several ukemi in rapid succession. Not sure what thats about really.

Its interesting that the longer I've been practising Aikido, the harder it is to break off. Its hard to explain to anyone who doesn't do a martial art, but its almost like the spirit of Aikido takes hold of you and moulds itself to you. When you're not training for a while, and you do go back its like welcoming an old friend inside your home.

I hope to be back very soon, and it will quickly feel like I've never been away.........