Aikido as a way of life.

Everything can be our uke. Any situation, good, bad or unlabeled provides a unique set of circumstances that challenges us to maintain or regain our centers. First, we totally let ourselves off the hook. There is no winning or losing in centering training. We are either centered or we are not. If I lose my center I simply get it back as quickly as I can. Judgment is not helpful and counterproductive.  Why waste time and energy? Just get back to training as quickly as you can. At work if I have a difficult customer, I can notice where my awareness is in my body. If my awareness is not below my navel. I will notice where it is. Then I can let it drop down as soon as I am able. I pay attention to my centering process instead to judging the other person or myself. By getting centered again or at least trying I can only help the circumstance because I have come out of my critical mind. My boss telling me what a good job I am doing presents me with another opportunity to practice ...

I asked Ron to watch me while I was preparing for our Zoom class today. He looked perplexed until I told him that I was doing shomen uchi kaiten nage.  I kept getting my hands mixed up. Technique is harder for me with Fred, the imaginary uke than with a live uke. Finally, I was able to be consistent on both sides and we will practice it tonight in class. I like how nage's hands relate to each other. Kaiten nage means wagon wheel. I imagine a spoke in a wheel as nage leads uke’s arm and head into a front fall or forward roll.

Language matters. Is it isolation or solitude?  Positive mind is cultivated through awareness, acceptance and then, action. I don't have to be happy with circumstances to accept them. I blend and move and feel whatever I feel. When I train on and off the mat I have choices. Aikido gives me a framework to apply to all situations when I am willing. It makes life interesting. We are having Zoom classes. They are fun and I feel connection with others when we are training together. I am looking at each day I am healthy and alive as a blessing. I accept what is and move on. I have been doing small ukemi most days and weapons training as well as Ki exercises. Ron just emailed out his Ki exercise form which I find very challenging especially when I try to do it slow and right. lol Each day I have enough for what I need and more. I am off to do my rolls. Hope you are enjoying your solo training, too.