My First Day of AIkido

By Theresa Dio, Aikido of Southern Connecticut
theresa.dio@yale.edu

A Beginner's View

My first day of Aikido, I approach the mat with both excitement and trepidation after I have struggled with correctly tying my gi. I have never taken any form of martial arts before and I don't quite know what to expect. My friend, who was involved in Karate, is interested in learning Aikido and encouraged me to join him. From the minimal amount of literature I have read about Aikido, this form of martial art requires time and patience in grasping the techniques and an ability to "stick with it".

Sensei, our instructor John Kaluzynski, is very attentive, encouraging, and enthusiastic. He is also extremely patient for the challenge ahead of him. Soft, calming Japanese music is playing in the background. As the formal bowing begins, Sensei and the students utter something in Japanese of which I do not have a clue. I later learn it is "Onegaishimasu?" meaning "Please?" We begin the class by stretching for half an hour. Since I stretch often during my gym workouts, I am thinking this is not too bad. I can do this.

Once the stretching session is over, we sit in "seiza" position lined up at the end of the mat while Sensei and a senior student demonstrate the first technique we are to practice. As I watch carefully, the movements are not registering with my brain as I have never seen these before and have no frame of reference on which to fall back. However, while observing both Sensei and Uke, the person who receives the technique, I am reminded of very graceful dance partners. I also perceive a great deal of respect between the two. After approximately five or more demonstrations of the same technique, the class is now ready to practice. People pair up by bowing and asking "Onegaishimasu?"

As a newcomer, I have two concerns. One is that I will not "get it" and, secondly, that I will be a burden for my partner. However, my partner is very patient, assists me through the moves while continually reminding me to "relax, relax, relax". Breathing and staying relaxed, my partner explains, helps to keep you flexible through the technique and can prevent injuries when thrown on the mat. He also tells me not to worry about "getting it", that it will come after about 10, 000 practice repetitions. After practicing this one technique for approximately 15 minutes we bow to our partner and say "domo" (thank you). Sensei calls us back to "seiza" position to line up once again on the mat for the next demonstration. The class will proceed as such for another hour, at which time we will return to a line for one more bow in unison while uttering another Japanese phrase, "domo arigato gozaimasu", "thank you very much."

Sensei calls us into a circle but I notice that the class approaches the circle by doing what looks like a duck walk. As this is well beyond me at this point, I just scoot over my behind. Sensei asks if there are any questions regarding the techniques demonstrated tonight or any concerns. Various individuals are kind enough to ask how my friend and I are doing and provide support and encouragement by stating that confusion and frustration are a normal part of the learning process for beginners in Aikido. I try to remember this as I continue to alternate between these two emotions for the first few months. Besides learning the various principles (extension, upright posture, relaxed position) and techniques of Aikido, I will spend at least a year in learning how to safely fall when being thrown. A few injuries along the way do much to motivate me into continually practicing my front and back rolls.

I have just reached my three year mark in Aikido. In some ways, it has passed extremely fast. I will admit that there have been times when I felt frustrated by my failure to grasp the principles and techniques of Aikido or the times I would remain at certain plateaus. However, the challenge and beauty of Aikido, besides my instructor and classmates, have inspired me to continue practicing. I have also come to appreciate and integrate the spiritual (connective) and the cognitive (focus) benefits of Aikido besides the physical benefits of the art.

I have now passed three tests (5th, 4th and 3rd Kyu) and I hope to someday achieve the rank of Shodan prior to my 60th birthday. I did not begin practicing Aikido until the age of 50. To become a Shodan will be one of the most important milestones and rewards of my life.