Training with joy
After we had worked meticulously through Yokomenuchi Shihonage Irimi for the past four training sessions (it’s great to be back to doing things at a beginner’s speed ^^), yesterday our teacher wanted us to forget everything about details and “technique” we had learned and simply allow our body to do what it thought was right, and have fun – or rather, “train with joy”. =) Although I usually have fun throughout the whole training anyway, it’s something completely different to consciously not think of technique but move in the flow. It felt… right, somehow. Moreover, it worked and it was really a lot of fun. =)
I also would like to try in our free training (training sessions just for exercising, no instructions) how my body reacts when it doesn’t know which attack Uke will use… we don’t know that many techniques yet, of course, but I’m very curious about what would happen… =)
Ki-Aikido seminar with Helmut Schweinzer
Phew. Time to bring some order to my thoughts and hope my fingers stop trembling and allow me to type. =) Two other students from our dojo and I had finally decided to attend the seminar of Erlangen’s Ki-Aikido dojo with Helmut Schweinzer. Although we knew we had four hours of training to look forward to, someone commenting on Tuesday that “the seminar is suitable for absolute beginners as well” had led me to expect something different… ^^
In the end, it was absolutely worth it, albeit exhausting, everybody was really nice, and I learned 10 (!) new techniques – or rather, I had a chance to practice 10 new techniques. 
Six different techniques for the ryote mochi attack and then three each for kosa tori and katate kosa tori, including two techniques with front roll throws. And I survived, yay! =)
Oh well… maybe in sequence? =) As far as I noticed, we three were the only “guests”, everybody else seemed to be from Erlangen; all in all, there were maybe 20 or 25 participants.
We started with a long ki breathing exercise, a little bit different from “ours” by the way the slow and fast breaths were spread. (Oh – please don’t take these comparisons that seriously, up to now I only knew our dojo’s version, after all… I guess after I’ve attended more seminars I will get used to it. ^^)
Then came ki gymnastics, almost like our version, only that here we counted in Japanese. Afterwards, the hitoriwazas. *gulp* I am SO grateful we had run through them the past two trainings, otherwise I would have been hopelessly lost. But this way I was able to get through them fairly well.
Then Ukemi… wow. This was when I first grew suspicious (or was it maybe when I noticed the 4 dan students??) that the training was not meant for beginners: we started straight away with 3 rolls in a row, the first one from standing and the second and third from the momentum of the first one. After that, we were supposed to jump over one student, then two and three. I just held back a tiny wee bit and did my rolls beside them – don’t trust my front rolls that far yet.
And then the first technique marathon followed. In two hours, we did six different techniques for the ryote mochi attack (where the attacker grabs one arm with both hands), each slowly at first and then in the flow of the movement. The very first was the technique we had been doing in training for the past few weeks – so happy about that! =) Then the same with the tenkan version, then a different one with tenkan, then the koteoroshi and nikkyo joint locks and the last one with a front roll throw. I don’t remember that many details, but what I do remember is how each and every of my partners went out of their way to help me. I had not expected kindness to that extend. Really nice… =)
This first series of techniques went fairly well, and I even managed the sequence on my own when we did the techniques as Suzukiwaza at the end! Really a great feeling.
After a much-needed break we did another six techniques. Apparently, my brain was a little ‘overloaded’; these techniques did not go as well, and already when we did the Suzukiwaza I was not able to recall the sequence let alone the techniques themselves. Nevertheless it was great to see and try so many new things.
This is also the predominant feeling right now – the joy of having learned so many new things. I probably won’t remember that much, but just being able to try it was great. I’m already looking forward to doing all these techniques at a pace more suited for beginners and step by step. =)
It was also interesting to see that an advanced Aikido training can become considerably faster and more exhausting than our beginners’ training. =) Ususally I already have some problems doing several fast rolls in a row due to a light asthma as sooner or later I can’t breathe. This training consisted of almost three and a half hours of techniques with fast rolls!! Several times I felt ready to bow out, but I was too stubborn… and in the end I had no problems. I even noticed my front rolls getting better through the course of the training…! =)
I’m so glad I went, feeling absolutely wasted, happy and a little proud right now. =)
Feeling good today
During the past weeks, I had been feeling blue and a little depressed. Work is no fun at all at the moment, I’ve been trying (in vain, as usually) to lose some weight, I wanted to do so many things on the weekends and ended up playing computer all day long instead. I then start to feel sorry for myself, which in turn leads me to mull over how pathetic I am.
These phases come and go, of course I shouldn’t worry about them that much as there’s nothing really bad about them, but anyway I’m always glad once I’m able to leave them behind.
It seems that today’s the day! =) Yesterday I searched for a healthy diet recepe to try out in the evening and found a website with the description of a cabbage soup diet (German website) and decided impulsively to use that. First step after work yesterday evening: go buy lots of vegetables and fruits. Second step: snip and dice. One hour later, I had a huge pot of diced greenstuff, put in some water and spices, put the pot on the stove and another hour later the soup was ready. And lo and behold, it actually tastes good.
Apparently, this was a step in the right direction, as my mood today is a whole lot better than yesterday. Now I’m curious to see the results of one week of eating cabbage soup…
On top of that, I’m also really looking forward to tonight and the weekend, this is also lifting my spirits: tonight, I’m going to see a Musical show many of my friends are playing in, and it is going to be lots of fun! And on the weekend, we have finally decided to go to the Aikido seminar. A few other students from our dojo (German website) are thinking about going too, which lowers the inhibition threshold as well… =)
(Thanks again, James, for your advice!)
Musical “Wicked” in Stuttgart
On Sunday, June 1st I went to see the musical Wicked in Stuttgart with my Musical dance group. For some of us it was the second time, for most of us however it was a premiere. Happily we were able to see first cast mostly: Sabrina Weckerlin (Elphaba), Lucy Scherer (Glinda) and Mark Seibert (Fiyero). It was nice to see how impressed and enthusiastic everybody in our group was. Of course, it really is an impressive show… The redecoration of the auditorium transporting you into the story before the show has even begun. The technical gadgets, the high degree of detail everywhere. I mean, you could say the dragon above the stage moving only once (or twice?) throughout the whole play is not really necessary, but in my opinion it adds to the overall impression you will leave the theater with.
We had seats on the first balcony, from where we had a great view – the choreography often consists of big expansive group movements including all of the stage. From the balcony, we could see this much better than from orchestra (or is it pit? – sorry, not sure of the word here – anybody want to tell me? ^^), which was really great! Next time, however, I’d like to sit right in front of the stage (I’m sure we’ll go again), as from there you get a better idea of what the characters are feeling. You’ll get an impression from farther away as well, of course, but the nuances can be seen only from the front rows.
The music once again made me laugh and cry and feel with the people on stage… except for the two songs of the wizard, I love every single song. My absolute favourite would be “Defying gravity” – it has such an uplifting effect and mind-blowing intensity, simply great. =)
Should I or shouldn’t I?
In two weeks, I have the possibility of attending a Ki-Aikido seminar in Erlangen, which is practically next door to Fürth (where I live). I have been turning it over in my mind ever since a fellow Aikido student told us about the seminar some weeks ago: do I want to go? Or am I not ready?
The pros… I would learn something new (oh really); I would have a chance to train with and meet new Aikidoka. I am also curious how such a seminar works. And above all, of course, it would give me another opportunity to train! =)
But. Apart from the fact that I have a hard time coming out of my shell and trying new things, there is also something else worrying me. I have been studying Aikido for only seven months; I don’t really know how to roll, let alone fall yet. Sure, I could tell every training partner that I’m a beginner and I guess they would hold back. But wouldn’t that mean spoiling their training, if they can’t do the technique the way it should be done?
Hmm… I think my feeling tells me to go, but my mind tells me not to. What do you think? For how long had you been studying Aikido when you went to your first seminar?
My car says it works
In general, I do not lose my temper. For me to get angry in daily situations such as at work, at home, at my parents’, while shopping, etc., you have to push my buttons really hard and really long – otherwise it just won’t happen. The only situation I regularly get worked up in is when driving. I try to abide by the rules most of the time, driving maybe 5 – 10 km/h above the limit, driving sometimes a little bit defensively, maybe. However, if during a short drive three other drivers misjudge my speed and turn into my (priority) road so I have to break hard and slow down to 20 or 30 km/h… Or if during rush hour I once again have a pushy driver behind me who absolutely has to overtake me in a dangerous turn only to be stuck behind the next car 50 m further on… Or if on a narrow, curvy forest road the car in front of me goes just 40 km/h instead of the permitted 60 km/h… As you probably notice, THESE things get on my nerves.
So these situations are obviously perfect to practice calmness and breathing and staying connected. =) I tried my best this morning during rush hour, and I think I might have been at least a little successful. Every time I felt a reaction the likes of “Boy, what an $§%&!$”, I did my best to just let it go and accept the situation.
I noticed two results: one, I arrived at work noticeably more relaxed and in a better mood. Two, there even was a measurable result: my car computer tells me how high my average fuel consumption is. Normally, I’m proud of reaching 6.7 l on average on this route. Today, I managed 6.1 l. That is a big difference for an average. So this attitude is not just good for me, but also for my fuel budget and the environment! =)
I’ll have to keep practicing…
Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Weeell… what can I say… From an intellectual point of view I’m horrified by romance novels. I would never have imagined that I might like a book whose cover is decorated with the typical picture of a man and woman, both with long hair, him dressed in historically incorrect bloomers and her in a torn dress, in the background waves or a storm or a fire or preferably all three. So I’m quite glad that Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter books don’t show such couples but instead only good-looking men. Whew! I would never have been able to live with my conscience otherwise. =)
My Dark-Hunter journey started with “Dark Side of the Moon”, with werepanther Ravyn and cat-allergic Susan. I saw it in a bookstore in Nuremberg, read the back-cover description and had laughed two times just reading that. So I bought it despite my reservations.
And I loved it. The story was actually quite complex (yes, really, that was not ironic) with a huge amount of background information and a world populated with an intriguing cast of characters, obviously even more than was mentioned in this one book. The kind of humor is just my thing – when I read how Susan’s grandmother would wear her clothes inside out to protect the colors from the sun, I was instantly reminded of my own grandma. She sometimes made us laugh a lot, e.g. when she told us that she did not want to throw away her old books but felt a need to distribute them as she could not read them anymore. Instead of selling them or giving them to us, every time she went shopping in the city she would take one or two books and put them in the display tables outside the book shops…! =)
Anyway. “Dark Side of the Moon” was my first Dark-Hunter novel, and only a few weeks later I had read through all the other volumes. “Dark Side of the Moon” still is my favourite, followed by “Night Embrace” (Talon and Sunshine – almost as funny), “Night Pleasures” and “Fantasy Lover”, or to put it differently, Kyrian and Julian. My favourite character, however, is definitely Asheron – just sooo yummy =) and mysterious. I am very much lookin forward to the next volume dedicated to him alone.
I also like the mixture of different historic legends and gods, as it is something new and well researched (according to Wikipedia, Kenyon has a degree in historic studies). Every now and then, the characters even speak in Latin or Classical Greek… =) There’s only one small part not that well researched: in one book, unfortunately I don’t remember which one, the female protagonist intervenes in a fight and kicks a bad guy so expertly that he is immobilized. When the male lead gives her a questioning look, she simply says “Black belt in Aikido!” – … well. Not likely;-)
A nice marketing trick is used in each of the books: the author often writes about the website www.dark-hunter.com (“Doesn’t work? Try it with a hyphen!”) where the characters are looking for information etc. This site actually does exist, and I can’t imagine a better way to make the address known!
Conclusion: a great read for those (women) looking for yummy heroes and good Fantasy books.
Ki tests training
On Tuesday we trained at a temperature above 30°C (86°F) for the third time this year. Instead of technique, we concentrated on Ki tests, for which I was grateful in two ways: first of all, they are not as exhausting as technique (or rather: falling during technique) by far, and secondly, I REALLY need the exercise.
At the beginning of the training session we tried for the first time to roll around the edge of the dojo behind one another, and it went fairly well. Then we did an experiment to illustrate the importance of our unbendable arm and held disc-shaped seating cushions during the rolls. (Must have been a funny sight… ^^) It did work, however: the supporting feeling was much clearer. I’ll definitely have to remember the idea of the cushion. I even received a “That one was very good!!”… *beams* It felt great. =)
Afterwards, I was brought back down to earth really fast, thanks to some Ki tests. We analyzed the first head movement from the beginning’s gymnastics. As always, I did not feel really stable even once – my heels just seem to loose contact with the ground at the slightest breeze. When I try to relax my (apparently?) tense knees in order to put more weight on my heels, there is no change at all. Grrr.
I tried approaching each test with a positive attitude (i.e. “This time I will manage to stand”). That does sound like a good idea to me, but obviously it’s not enough. Well… with the left backward roll not posing as much of a challenge any more, I needed something else to worry about. =)
For good measure, our teacher announced we will have our first Ki testing in September. That’s only 8 weeks!! Argh!! Ok, I had heard before that in Ki-Aikido testing is divided into Ki and technique testing, but somehow I had always imagined both tests taking place on the same day, so if you fail in one part you can compensate in the other. Yeah well… no chance. I think I would worry far less about technique testing. But I have not yet had one Ki test where I felt secure and stable.
I should probably not worry as much, because no matter the results, it’s the training that matters, not passing the tests. But… well. It would still be disappointing.
Woah. I just noticed I am already preparing mentally for failing, even though I don’t have any idea yet what will be required. That’s pathetic. Tsk. I will try to change that mindset, I promise. I’ll simply do my best and have fun and we’ll see what happens.
Nevertheless I’m curious what the testing will aim at: being able to stand, or just trying to improve one’s wobbly posture? I really hope for the latter! =)
“Watchtower” by Elizabeth A. Lynn
Searching in the Aikiweb forum for book recommendations, I had found a reference to “Watchtower” by Elizabeth A. Lynn. The German barter/swap portal “Tauschticket.de” happened to have an offer of the novel, and although it had mediocre reviews on amazon.de, I was curious and ordered it.
I am sad to say I did not like it much. The story is ok, nothing special but not bad also – a castle is conquered, the lord killed, the young prince captured. With the help of a friend / liegeman he is able to flee, finds new hope and help far away from home and returns to take revenge and reclaim his castle.
Usually not a story that would make me buy a book, but – the help from far way is the leader of a society practicing Aikido (or something very much like it). The part of the book taking place in this Aikido society was also the best part, in my opinion, except for the fact that one of the characters learns how to fall in just one day, that’s so unfair.
The biggest weakness, for me, were the characters. Thoughts or feelings – sorry, none of that. I think the author wanted to let the characters’ actions speak for them, but there are simply not enough of them, and thus I did not really notice any feelings of the characters throughout the whole book.
The simple sentence structure sometimes was a little annoying as well. Quote: “She bent his arm back. His hand opened. The knife rolled from his fingers. She picked it up.” Sure, quotes always sounds worse when taken out of context – but that was FIGHT scene! Maybe there was once more the intention of emphasizing the actions, and not disctracting the reader with complicated sentences?
Conclusion: A good sound book which just was not to my personal taste. But, of course, don’t rely on my opinion, if you’re interested, try it for yourself and read it! =)
(After all my favourite books are criticized by other people as well. You never know…)
Rhythm is it!
A few weeks ago, we watched “Rhythm is it!”, a documentary about a project in Berlin where a renowned choreographer rehearses a dance show for a classical piece with a group of over 200 pupils (Wikipedia has a few more details).
It was the second time I saw the film. The first time, a few years ago, I had been fascinated by how the choreographer dealt with the difficult kids, his energy and his courage to tell them what they probably would never have heard otherwise. Quote (approx.): “Are you afraid your friends will laugh at you because you are dancing on a stage? Then maybe you should think about whether they really are your friends. Friends don’t laugh at you, they help you advance.” – Wow! In addition, the performance at the end of the film on a giant stage was simply overwhelming.
Today, I noticed primarily how well the choreographer and his team were able to read the body language of the kids (something I find equally fascinating in Aikido). Or when he said “When we talk and laugh and don’t concentrate, those are things that will distract our body. Only when we are silent are we able to speak with our body.”
This would apply well to the Musical dance group I’m training and creating choreographies for. Maybe we should all watch the film together, maybe then we would be willing to concentrate a little more and talk a little less (sometimes it’s a real bother to make myself heard in training these days).
During the end credits, the dancers are shown after the end of the show, standing in front of the cheering audience giving standing ovations. These expressions on their faces – incredible. You can almost feel their amazement at what they have accomplished, the joy, the exaltation. At that moment I found the caption of the film, “You can change your life in a dance class”, to be completely correct.
Conclusion: Highly recommended. For everybody believing we are able to rise above ourselves, or for those who have lost belief in themselves and would like to find it again!
… Oh my, that was a little too sentimental, wasn’t it? Well, but it’s true…
