Sporting freely with weapons.

 

I have been training with weapons more of late. Using one Escrima stick while I walk in the morning helps me stretch and strike.  My walk is enhanced by upper body movement. After the walk I feel enlivened and happy.

When I first started using weapons in my Aikido training, I felt awkward. I was used to baseball bats and brooms.  As I trained, I learned set katas which helped me become more comfortable. I practiced diligently and learned all the katas on both sides so I could do them easily and teach them to others.

When Ron switched his training up and started teaching spontaneous short katas I was confused and frustrated. His idea was that students would be more relaxed if we weren’t trying to do a kata perfectly. He was bored with set routines.

It took me quite a while to let go of my attachment to the katas I had worked so hard to learn and perfect. I felt angry and discouraged. It seemed to me like I had been wasting my time.

As I reflect on this journey, I see that no time was wasted. All the training and all the feelings are part of the journey. Now I have the freedom to train freely with the weapons of my choice. My joy of movement is enhanced by my familiarity with having a weapon in my hands. I am able to sport freely in all the realms.