April, 2004
Tests of Character
Previous Issues
A person's character is often proven when that person
meets with a challenging event. That's why, in Aikido, we have testing.
In our practices throughout the year, we have many smaller
"challenging events". After all, each technique is initiated
by an attack from another person. We have to maintain calmness and relaxation—and
find correct movement—while someone strikes, grabs, kicks or lunges.
That's challenging. But on an ordinary day at the dojo, there is time
to learn, there is forgiveness of mistakes, there is another opportunity
if the first attempt fails.
But testing is different. Particularly when it is in
front of several hundred spectators. And even more so, when it's in front
of Sensei.
At our Winter Camp last month, eleven people from our
dojo tested. And they performed remarkably in the face of this challenging
event.
There were many moments to remember. Brian LaChance—who,
the day before, had not heard his name called for testing—standing
on the mat all by himself, and putting on a demonstration of the kind
of learning that happens at the Rochester dojo. Janet Ying, one of the
smallest people at camp, showing the power of someone three times her
size. And Rick Packard, demonstrating the kind of Aikido that even the
most advanced student could hope to emulate.
And to think that these performances—and those by
Candy Martens, Rob Greene, Jason Beck, Richard Bachner, Harold Leve, Scott
Stoner, Steve Perino and Tim Quinlan—didn't happen in the comfortable
environment of a home dojo, but in a faraway fieldhouse, in front of the
discerning eyes of hundreds.
Still, the challenges encountered in testing are only
part of the story for these people. There were other challenges that could
easily have prevented any of them from testing—or from continuing
their Aikido practice at all.
One person had numerous serious health challenges in
his family in the years leading up to this test.
Another suffered from debilitating back pain, and then
problems with his heart.
Another faced the challenge of a schedule that had her
traveling—and missing Aikido practice—for months of the year.
One person faced the interesting challenge of starting
Aikido as a young child, then making the transition to practicing as an
adult.
Another had an injury to her arm and an operation in
the year leading to her black belt test.
Do you recognize these people? They are our black belt
candidates: Four who tested for 1st degree, and one who tested for 3rd.
Personally, I'm impressed when someone comes into the
dojo at seven in the morning, or after a hard day of work, or returns
after illness or injury. That is character demonstrated on a daily basis.
But our people testing at camp—this camp, and every
other one—demonstrate years of that kind of character. And
then sum it up in a few moments, in front of Sensei and hundreds of others,
in the challenging moments of testing at camp.
We go to camp to get inspired by Sensei. But we often get just as much inspiration from the people we practice with every day—when we see them test.
Cecelia
Ricciotti Seminar
A special friend of the Rochester dojo will be returning to the area to teach a seminar here. Cecelia Ricciotti Sensei, 6th dan and leader of the Center City Kokikai in Philadelphia will be coming to teach on June 12 & 13. Cecelia Sensei has been studying with Maruyama Sensei for many years and is one of his most senior students. Come take this opportunity to learn from one of Kokikai's best. Class times will be posted soon in the dojo.
Recent
Testing
In addition to all of the testing that happened at camp, we also had some fine tests take place at the dojo. Michael Buts and David Simons both tested for 4th kyu, and Colin Downing and Rob Jacob tested for 6th kyu. Congratulations on attaining your next rank!
Upcoming
Events
Ran Tori Class, Monday, April 5 at 7 PM.
Beginners' Class, Wednesday, April 7 at 7 PM.
Mind/Body Training, Thursday, April 8 at 8 PM.
Dojo testing, Tuesday, April 13 at 5:45 PM and Wednesday, April 14 at
7 AM.
Advanced Class, Thursday April 15 at 8 PM.
Weapons Class, Monday, April 19 at 7 PM.
Mind/Body Training, Thursday, April 22 at 8 PM.
Video Night, Monday, April 26.
Advanced Class, Thursday, April 29 at 8 PM.
Be kind, for everyone you meet
is fighting a battle.
- John Watson