the practice — Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba, often referred to as ‘O Sensei.’ Students of Aikido focus on learning to use their own energy; emphasis is placed on motion and the dynamics of movement. O Sensei emphasized the moral and spiritual aspects of this art, placing great weight on the development of harmony and peace.
the experience — I am wearing a loose-fitting cotton jacket wrapped roguishly with a sash, and cotton calf-length pants. I bow and step on to the mat. Thankful. My head has been heading here through a day of small meetings and what often seemed like needless chatter. Now it is Aikido time. I need to lose my mind and dance.
Aikido is the art of the here and now. You never know what life, or your Aikido practice partner, will hand you. Whatever it is, it is essentially energy and your job is to convert that energy into something positive, beautiful and occasionally loving. Your job as an Aikidoist is to use energy to remake the world.
As we sit and breathe together before the practice session begins the crazy thoughts of 30 students become coherent, one mind of no mind, and I can almost read the no thoughts resting there. I can feel the lightness of the mind of the black belt to my left, who because of our proximity is most likely to be my workout partner for the night. Thank God. I need to sweat tonight, to be challenged by an advanced student whose size and skill will challenge me.
I work out evenings here three times a week. It is my time to fly. And fly I will. Aikido is one of the most vigorous of the martial arts. Comprised of sweeping motions, expansive circles, graceful lunges and seemingly effortless throws that can send an opponent hurtling a dozen feet thru space before landing unharmed with a graceful thud.
Let the workout begin.
We kneel before our teacher and the altar, the energy of each of us beginning to settle. When there is a sense that it has settled, the teacher bows to the students. The students in unison bow back. Suddenly the air is cracked by a clap from the teacher as he rises and with a majestical sweep invites us to choose our partner, which we do by turning to our left and right and bowing to the student beside us who will be our partner for the night.
But for me it will not be as expected. The black belt I had envisioned as my partner I see as I raise my head, has turned the other way. So I turn to my other side. There sits awkwardly bowing to me a slight 14-year-old at her first Aikido class.
So this is my partner, a new student. I will spend the night not in vigorous, loving, sweat-drenched combat learning from a master, no. I will spend it patiently instructing one who’s never set foot before in this magical kingdom. I will step aside to a quiet place on the mat and spend my practice session back in my mind explaining things, teaching this neophyte about the moves and motions that rule here; the basics of how to place her feet, how to move her arms, where to put her hands. I will not sweat.
I take a deep breath. And in that breath I lose all previous expectations and accept what’s been given me. Instead of practicing my dance tonight, I will practice patience. And I will practice compassion, and loving-kindness. And I will be a teacher, teaching this new student that the beauty of this martial art is in giving.
For this more than anything is what Aikido is all about. It is about avoiding conflict with yourself or your expectations. Whatever you’re presented with – your goal is to turn it into something good. Aikido, if performed properly, protects and teaches your opponent without hurt or harm.
This mat is our temple. To be on it now is to be in a universe where the laws of nature come alive. We’re not talking philosophy here. To practice Aikido is to practice living in an ever-changing real world where you accept what’s given, whatever it is – an unexpected attack or an unexpected practice session – and turn it into love.
O Sensei Robert D. Bryner practices the style of Aikido known as Nishio. From “The Dojo,” 11554 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90025. Reach him at (310) 445 - 0800 or email crbryner@ucla.com.
Bob is a documentary filmmaker and public health consultant.
www.publichealthzoom.com or bob@digitalworkshop.com
Photos by Adam Latham, angeladam.com
