The Observation
by Bob Martini

It was late. I was lying in bed. I could not sleep. I was nervous. My anxiety level was building. I was going to have a big day tomorrow and a lot would be riding on the outcome of my performance. Instead of just lying there I decided to use visualization to help me prepare myself for the big day. I closed my eyes and in my mind I went through each step of my performance, always keeping in mind that it would all go well and I was already successful.

The next morning I rose early and drove to work. Once there I made sure my classroom was prepared for the day's classes and that all was ready for my observation. This would be the first time I would be observed by principal while teaching a complete lesson.

The principal arrived at the appointed hour, 11:00 a.m. As the kids began to enter the classroom I thought about what it was like when I tested in Aikido. I automatically began to apply some of the principles I learned on the mat to my current situation. First, I slowed and deepened by breathing and began to calm myself, trying to find and keep one point. Next, I checked my posture; chest out, shoulders back, feet apart, standing tall, and then I began to teach.

As the lesson progressed I relaxed, the longer I taught the more relaxed I became. All the while, I was thinking in the back of my mind, "I know I can do this well!" The longer the lesson continued the better I felt about how things were going.

After the lesson was over, and the kids left I had an opportunity to talk with the principal about how the observation looked to him. I am proud to report that all went very well. One of the things I discovered as I went through this minor life ordeal was that the principles that I train with on the mat for Aikido are readily transferable to my everyday life as a sixth grade teacher. By following the principles that help my Aikido become more fluid, natural, precise, smooth and enjoyable, my teaching also became more fluid, natural, precise, smooth, and enjoyable.

I know I'm not alone in discovering the connection between my life on and off the mat, however no one could have told me about this connection and have my understanding be as complete as it was when I discovered it for myself. I hope each of you can discover for yourself how what you do on and off the mat are connected and transferable in our lives.

Congratulations to all those in our dojo who recently tested and were promoted to their next rank: Rob Jacob 4th kyu, Peter Wozny 5th kyu, and David Wilson 6th kyu. All did a fine job.

What do the following things have in common: chili, shrimp, dumplings, wings, several dogs, a few inner tube sleds, a bunch of aikidoka dressed against the elements and a hillside covered in snow? They are all ingredients needed for a dojo sledding party!

About 15 dojo members along with friends and family attended our recent dojo sledding party at Powder Mills Park. There were plenty of spills and thrills on the sledding hill, a cozy fire in the North Lodge and an abundance of food and drink. A good time was had by all! A special thank you goes to Paul Gardner who made all of the arrangements for the party.

Recently a donation box appeared on the "kitchen" counter in the dojo. You may be wondering what it's all about. Our dojo together with the Rochester Phoenix Aikido dojo is helping raise funds to send a Baghdad aikido student to the Training Across Borders seminar (see below).

From the Aiki Extensions web site:

The TRAINING ACROSS BORDERS seminar will bring together aikido practitioners, chiefly from countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, for a three-day seminar in Nicosia, Cyprus, April 14-17, 2005.

Through the transformative practice of aikido, we hope that the seminar experience will connect aikidoka from communities that have suffered from protracted conflicts, and provide an environment to root friendships that may blossom into future collaboration.

Please consider making a donation, for more details see Judy Warner.

Test Prep Class - Open to blue belts and up, whether testing at camp or not: 3/3-8:00 pm
Winter Camp - March 11-13, Lawrenceville, NJ, registration forms now available in the dojo
Black Belt Forum - March 24, 8:00 pm
Summer Camp - July 14-17, Villa Nova, PA, watch the bulletin board for more details