August, 2002
Love and Ouch
Previous Issues
Maruyama Sensei had just finished demonstrating a technique at Summer
Camp, and we split up into pairs to practice. I started working with a
black belt who that had been practicing probably ten years longer than
me. His technique was very good. But after a couple of repetitions, Sensei
suddenly appeared and offered his arm for me to grab.
It's moments like this that I live for at camp. When
Sensei’s body beckons to be attacked, you sense that there might
be mystery or awakening lying in wait for you on the other side.
I reached for Sensei’s arm. It moved just slightly
out of my reach. Not quickly, but just fast enough. I instinctively reached
a little more, and it moved a little more, too. His arm swung upward,
but it’s motion slowed and it finally came within my reach. I could
almost feel it. I nearly had it!
And that’s when my whole world became discombobulated.
My body was turning, but I wasn’t sure in what direction. It was
hard to tell exactly how I was situated in space. I didn’t know if
I had Sensei’s arm or not any more. I was moving, but it was hard
to tell in what direction, or why. I felt a rushing feeling as my body
rapidly accelerated toward the mat. Then, a loud noise—my arm hitting
the mat (a reflex, thankfully), preventing my nose from doing the same.
When I looked up, I saw Sensei walking away, smiling.
I was smiling, too. Everyone around was smiling, some shaking their heads
in amazement. Then we went back to practicing. That’s the way it
always is when Sensei throws. Incredible power. Then a good feeling that
lingers.
Sensei told us at this camp that many people mistakenly
think that Aikido is about love and harmony. He said that if you only
think of Aikido this way, it is like a tree with just the branches, the
leaves, and the flowers—but no roots. Just the pretty part, but no
real power. Sensei said, his Aikido is "Love and ouch!"
You can tell that Sensei doesn’t spend much time
thinking about love and harmony in the practice of Aikido. He thinks about
results. Throwing big people with astonishing power. That’s what
motivates him the most, I think. He doesn’t pretend to be a missionary
for peace. He is a martial artist. He throws people for a living. And
inspires others to discover how to do the same.
At camp, you experience that power on a regular basis—power
seemingly too enormous to fit into the body of a 135-pound man. Sensei's
self-defense ideas are stunning in their ingenuity and practicality. But
amidst all of this, there’s something a little funny going on, too.
There’s a good feeling that follows this man, that infects the people
he throws and those he teaches. They feel better, they live happier. As
they learn to throw more powerfully, they become gentler human beings.
Their level of happiness rises.
People smile and greet each other on the mat with genuine
pleasure. You hear almost no one speaking negatively of anyone else. A
fellow student tells me what he thinks of camp: "I love all
of this!" The legs get tired, but the days fly by. And before you
know it, Sensei is thanking us all for coming and bowing out to thunderous
applause.
But the oddest feeling hits me when I am in the car on
the ride home, and just a little too tired to talk. I feel better, not
just inside, but about the whole world. I like the human race a little
bit more than I did before. I feel a glow that I don’t want to lose.
It’s a feeling that is hard to sum up without the use of two little
words:
Love. And harmony.
I’m sorry, Sensei. That isn’t what you were trying for. But almost magically, that’s what you achieved. And when you throw me powerfully to the mat with that exquisite blend of relaxation and calmness, and I see that sly little smile spread across your face and your eyes light up with pleasure, I feel that all is right in at least one small part of the universe.
Recent Testing
The following people tested last month in our dojo: For 6th kyu, Eric
Chesley, Bob Leschingski, and Tina McCann. For 5th kyu, Christian Haacke
and Carroll Wilcox. And for 4th kyu, Abby Bechtel. Everyone did a fine
job. Congratulations on earning your next rank.
Summer Camp Testing
The Rochester dojo had plenty of testing at Summer Camp. Amr Elias tested
for 2nd kyu, and will now be wearing a brown belt. Four people tested
for 1st kyu—the rank just before black belt: Ron Beck, Marcella Mosher,
Darren Probst, and Les Weiner all did a fine job. We also had two people
testing for 1st dan—Anthony Chirico, and Brian Martens. Both Anthony
and Brian did a great job on their tests, including freestyle against
5 attackers. The dojo proudly welcomes its newest black belts! And congratulations
to all who tested and made the Rochester dojo look great.
A Volunteer Spirit
Maruyama Sensei says that to teach Aikido, you need a volunteer spirit.
And many people in our dojo recently demonstrated this spirit as they
turned out to help make Maruyama Sensei's visit to Rochester a great success.
Thank you to all who cleaned, prepared food, helped with Sensei's gift,
took pictures and video, helped with registration, and made things run
smoothly overall. Thank you also to everyone who came, and made Sensei
feel welcome.
Upcoming Events
Weapons Class, August 14, 7-8 PM.
Ran Tori Class, august 14, 8-9 PM.
Low Rank Seminar with Maruyama Sensei, August 10 & 11 in Philadelphia.
High Rank Seminar with Maruyama Sensei, August 17 & 18 in Philadelphia.