Showing up matters

By -

 Just getting on the mat or on zoom makes all the difference. When you bring the body, the mind will follow. And here is the best part, after class you feel much better. Happens every time.




I was looking at picture from back in the 90s when we had 30 peoples training with us regularly. The dojo is much smaller now. We have people who train on zoom, too. Still, after all this time, after every class, I feel better.

How do you get to be a 7th degree black belt? You keep training and you don't die. That's it.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

By -
Image
Our summer seminar's theme is "Let's Wrap the World in Peace. For me the inspiration has come from my newest grandson Vinnie. When I hold him, he looks up at me and tells me the secrets of the universe.  I feel at one with what is. I feel at peace. It seems to me that peace is all around us... accessible at anytime if we but look and feel and let. Let's!
Read more

No, I am right....

By -
Image
Whenever we say "No, I am right," we stop the flow of communication...when we insist that uke move this way or that way by force uke will resist and get stiff. It becomes a battle of wills and the stronger physical person will win. They will be right. Aikido is being open to what is and what will be. Uke attacks. I let uke move within the bounds of suggestion and encouragement. By adding my own energy and providing direction the throw is accomplished.  Am I right? Maybe... maybe not...yet it feels so much better than forcing my way on someone else.
Read more

Just keep moving.

By -
Image
  Aikido training when I feel deeply upset is a challenge. I accept.  I have the disease of alcoholism. Some mornings I wake up feeling fine. Other times I wake up to a voice in my head telling me I am a terrible person and not worthy of being alive. No matter which way I wake up, I have a set practice that I do, no matter how I feel or what my brain has to say.   Yesterday we heard from a family member that he was very disappointed in us and was choosing not to be in a relationship with Ron and me.  I felt very sad and frustrated because I know that saying or doing anything will not change another person. I slept poorly as my mind poured over all my wrong doings over many years.  I felt heavy and discouraged this morning.  I prayed as I do every morning. I asked for help, then got up and acted like a woman who has asked for help.  I found one aikido thought: keep moving. I got up, got dressed, did my bathroom stuff, and went upstairs to see how Ron was doing. I listened while he talke
Read more