Firstly: the reason I wanted to take up 'Aikido' was because of a book that 'Lillian' gave me by 'Mark Rashid'. Without going into much detail: it has helped him immensley in rethinking and improving his riding style (especially timing) and his way with the horses. Intrigued by it I began reading up on what Aikido is and liked what I read.
Much about 'being one' was mentioned on various sites where I had been reading about Aikido. This I found most interesting, as this is in a way how I see the partnership between 'Mr F' and 'I' ... to very separate beings becoming one (hopefully!). I have also seen this being mentioned several times by
Klaus F Hempfling, who's way of looking at and dealing with horses I find most interesting.
I asked 'Lillian' and her partner 'Tom' if they would be interested.
Most suitable and convenient, there was an Aikido Dojo in the town right near us - only a 10 minute drive away.
I rang up to make a few enquiries which were answered promptly and most helpfully.
And so, yesterday evening, we went to our first Aikido Class.
'Lillian' and 'Tom' have practised Karate before for some time but I was completely new to this and I very excited. I could hardly wait to get there!
I was instructed to wear loose clothing if I didn't have a Gi Suit (a what?). I found a pair of wide leg summer trousers and as top I used an oversized men's shirt (my standard outfit in summer, jeans and an oversided men's shirt tied in a knot around my waist). As the shirt was way too big I cut off part of the sleeve and as a belt I used the belt of my white dressing gown.
Everyone was very polite and respectful to each other.
Together we placed the rubber mats on the floor; it was a good way of getting to know one another. Then the men went to change in a curtained off area while we changed in the actual dojo.
While some were still getting ready, the rest of us spent some time chatting.
The instructor was wondering if I had done this before; as apparently I had a very good body posture. My reply: 'no but I have spent much of my youth skiing and icescating, and now I ride' - His face lit up in interest: 'Ah, yes, riding!'
I got the impression that there seemed to be a theme going on with riders joining Aikido dojos ... apparently there were others they knew who rode.
The way the instructor spoke about the riding, also from a spiritual level and the 'being one' I had to ask if he had ridden himself. Yes, he had, long time ago.
'Lillian' knew the instructor as she has been in the orchestra with him. Its interesting for me as I myself spent a good 20 years of my life playing and eventually teaching music.
What do music, riding and Aikido have in common:
Timing, feel, and a good deal of spirituality.
Eventually we all took up our position; kneeling (sitting on our heels) facing the instructor. After we showed our respect to the founder of Aikido, we did warming up stretching.
I think at 42 I was propably the youngest in the room!
Then we were shown some moves that we then had to practise in pairs or groups of 3 and 4.
Initially, it was quite overwhelming as I was trying to get to grips with what it was all about. That perhaps is the only critisim I had; lack of clear instructions of what to do. What was it all about?!
I was a little puzzled as I was expecting to work in a more forceful manner. Yet in fact it is all like a dance, or as 'Tom' put it: like poetry. Yes, it is about defence, the entire thought behind Aikido is to end any attack in a peaceful manner.
It is amazing just how simple it is to move an attacker out of his / her balance by manipulating their center core / their balance. I am not good at describing this. It is all about yielding and moving from your centre point. Mostly you do this physically but much more can be achieved if the mind is there too. That is very important for the timing ... it becomes a feel, intuition, instinct. Its not so much about reading your oppononent but also to accept his attack and then deflecting it without hurting. Of course, if necessary, much damage can be done. It amazes me how well joint locks work ... and it does not matter how tall, small, strong or weak you are because its all about moving, feeling, timing. Most of all it is about TIMING and BALANCE.
The center is seemingly where you hips are, everthing works from there. Just like riding.
Have a look at this video, which shows quite a few of the moves we did so you get an idea.
There were several moves that we practised that really made my mind blow, simply because I never ever looked at balance and yielding and moving in this manner.
I try to describe one move; we were in pairs. One is kneeling on the floor, the other is playing the attacker; trying to push over sideways the person kneeling. First off, the person kneeling would do so with a ridgid, tense body. Immediately, the attacker can push you over, there is nothing you can do, the more ridgid you go, the more likely you are just falling like a dead tree. Then, the person kneeling rather than being ridgid, relaxes their body. Loose shoulders etc, but concentrating on the body's center point /place. Now amazingly, it is impossible to be pushed over! No matter how hard you try to push, its not workin! And to tip the attacker out of balance, the person kneeling simply yields to the pressure; and the attacker will loose balance.
Time flew and I was quite dissapointed when it was finished. I wanted to contiune, I wanted to know more!.
I am very interested to see how this affects my riding, it certainly already has helped me to transfer my balance ...
Also noteworthy: I returned back to the farm feeling very peaceful.
No comments:
Post a Comment