Aikido as a way of life.

 To keep the focus on myself. Now there is a challenge. I like the metaphor of staying inside my own hula hoop. There are many temptations to drop the hoop and march right into someone else's stuff: mostly uninvited.  It happens more in my thinking than in my actions. The wandering of my mind into situations that I have no control over hurts me. I almost never do it in a positive way. My aikido practice reminds me if I move what I can, which is me, all will be well. I don't have to power over anyone or try to control the situation.  When I feel resistance, it's because I am trying to move uke. When I move myself, uke follows me naturally. It may look the same but it feels very different.  Forcing solutions has never worked for me. It may work for others but it has always gotten negative results for me. Now I let life happen to the best of my ability. I practice gratitude for what I have. I am hopping back into my hula hoop and enjoying the twirl of my own life. ...

For Ron and I this is not an issue. We have someone to train with and a place to do it. Here are some suggestions you might not have thought of for solo practice. Check out Berkshire Hills Aikido on Facebook and Instagram for some Ki exercises and bokken practice. We will posting short videos to give you ideas. Do your ki exercises at least once a day. Use a short sword for indoor practice or train outside with bokken and jo. Don't break the lights or furniture. :) Practice techniques with an invisible uke. For example, respond to a yokemen attack with a yokemen retreat then go into kokyu nage or shi ho nage. pay attention to your footwork. Are you doing nice dramatic steps or tiny baby steps? Lol. Practice small rolls on a softish surface. Extend ki though a person if you are getting annoyed with them. Remember that we can only feel our feelings. Uke's contribution is a gift. Close your eyes and remember details of what you wre just looking at. Do a mind vis...