Four Years of Aikido

Karen Wolek (Kingston Aikido)
kwolek@hvc.rr.com

I started Aikido in 2002. A few years ago, I started taking notes and keeping a training journal. From the things I've written, I compiled a list of some of the most helpful (and sometimes pretty humorous) pieces of advice (and direct orders) I've received over the four years I've been practicing. Most of these quotes are from my Sensei, Bob Wilcox. Some are from other teachers.

After hundreds of journal entries, four years of pretty much daily practice, and at least a couple thousand hours of aikido, I came up with this list of quotes and Sensei-isms.

A couple, I have actually repeated to other students, newer than myself.

A few, I don't have to be told anymore.

Most, I had to be told more than once.

Many, I still get to hear pretty often.

Here's to many more years of training and good advice.

"You're doing fine, just keep coming."
"Put your shoulders down."
"Move."
"Take the ukemi."
"You need to learn to follow nage."
"Your body DOES bend, doesn't it?"
"Don't just stand there like a bag of sand."
"Bend your knees."
"Keep a bend in that elbow."
"Receive the technique with your whole body."
"More distance."
"Don't compete with each other."
"Shut up and take ukemi."
"Don't just launch yourself across the dojo; control your roll."
"Move your body and take your arm along with it."
"Always start in hanmi."
"Don't look at the hand."
"Lower yourself down, don't just fall like a tree."
"Control your descent."
"Get off the line."
"You can DO it!"
"Don't shake your head no."
"Take your time."
"Don't focus on the attack."
"Look where you're going."
"Keep moving."
"Don't stop."
"Youve never done this before, why do you think you should be able to do it perfectly?"
"No one expects you to be perfect."
"You have to get over that."
"Open your hips."
"Make your movements bigger."
"Don't look at his hand. You know where he is."
"Keep your hand in front of your center."
"Open up your hips/ribs."
"Stop shaking your head."
"Move around your own center, not uke's."
"Use your hips."
"Keep your head up."
"Keep your elbow down."
"Don't try to push him down with your arms."
"Don't climb on top of his arm."
"Use your hips, not your arms."
"It's good to have a strong center, but you have to be able to let it go."
"Don't think, just go!"
"It comes from your center, not your arms."
"Lower your body."
"Move on contact."
"Don't be surprised when it works."
"Move before they grab."
"Continue the attack."
"Don't just watch. Observe."