LANCASHIRE AIKIKAI NEWSLETTER JUNE 1989
NEWS...
Altrincham is the AIKIKAI'S newest club and it has got off to a good start.
Practice is on Fridays between 7.15 and 9.15 pm at South Manchester Martial
Arts and Fitness Centre, Seamons Moss Community Centre on Oldfield Road
(at the junction with Walton Road). Andrew Baird the club's instructor
will be pleased to see any members visiting and would like to thank the
members of Hazel Grove for their support in these early days.
BRITISH AIKIDO BOARD
The last meeting was held in the Midlands on 1 April,
details of the Course at Crystal Palace run by the Board on Saturday 28
October were considered. The cost will be £5.00 and will start at
10.30 am. Instruction will be provided by the top teachers in the country
and is to be recommended.
The Coaching Award which was published in this Newsletter
12 months ago was not approved by the Martial Arts Commission and a new
draft has been prepared but this time it is likely to be approved. Changes
mean that there will be an Assistant Coach Award, which requires studying
the MAC Coaches Handbook; obtaining a First Aid qualification; attending
a one day course and being continually assessed.
The Coaches Award requires the Assistant Coaches Award
as a pre-requisite; the NCF options are Understanding and Improving Skill;
How to plan your programme _or_ Structure of the Body; Developing Flexibility;
Prevention and Rehabilitation of Injury; Effective Coaching; and an assessed
coaching session completes this Award.
Instructors wanting details of NCF Course dates please contact Andrew
Baird.
Another Association was admitted bringing the number
within the Board to 16
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BALANCE
Reference is normally made to balance with regard to physical posture,
standing, walking, etc. It is certainly important in AIKIDO where posture
is crucial. However there is a different meaning to balance, almost like
the process of weighing something.
To practise AIKIDO a decision is first taken that
this will in fact happen (There is the will to do it). A typical AIKIDOKA
on a typical practice night collects his GI and BOKKEN and travels to
the DOJO. Once there he changes, bows on to the mat, and begins his own
exercises. When the class proper starts, everyone begins a series of warm-up
exercises, TAI-SABAKI and perhaps breakfall practice.
The class progresses with practice of techniques with or without weapons,
and in a variety of ways. After a very hard practice there may be a spell
of meditation or SHIATSU relaxation. After the formal bow, the AIKIDOKA
leaves the mat, changes and travels home, gearing his mind to do whatever
comes next.
Thus the balance is restored. AIKIDO practice is live demonstration of
a basic universal principle.
G HARRISON 2ND DAN
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PREPARATION
'The secret lies in the soil'
I am sure that this was _not_ said by O'SENSEI, but
the truth contained in it is profound. In AIKIDO it is also true, that
preparation does not just begin on the mat. One could argue that a calm,
studious mature lifestyle was necessary to practise AIKIDO or even the
other way round. However that may not be possible especially in today's
world.
Students of AIKIDO must try to calm their minds on the way to the DOJO.
They must be clean, well manicured and possess the right clothing and
equipment. They should be punctual at all times.
Students should be sure that they go to the toilet before the practice,
and that they have not eaten or drunk too much. Once on the mat students
should be willing to learn even though practising the same techniques
over and over again.
On the mat, the mind should be empty, the body relaxed. At the point of
completion of a technique the breath is released - UKEMI for UKE and ZANSHIN
for both UKE and TORI.
To me this execution of attack and defence is symbolic of life, death
and rebirth. An AIKIDOKA'S last act during UKEMI is .... to breathe out
(breath or spirit leaves the body). Following ZANSHIN and the return to
posture and balance breath is taken in, in preparation for whatever may
happen next. AIKIDO prepares us for far more than we think.
G HARRISON 2ND DAN
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AIKIDO was the creation and life's work of O'SENSEI
MORIHEI UESHIBA, who thoroughly trained in Martial Arts, and as a human
being responded to the deepest callings of his heart.
Unfortunately since AIKIDO was introduced in this country there has been
nothing but strife, and instead of co-operation and ideology, it has turned
to animosity. Money has become the obsession, and not learning but very
fast progress in the grades.
To become an AIKIDO teacher one must acquire the spirit of sacrifice,
compassion, love and giving to others. There are four fundamental parts
to reach the way.
| |
1 TAI-IKU (Bodily realisation): development
of the physical aspect through practice in the principle of ONENESS.
2 KI-IKU (Spiritual realisation): development of universal energy
based on the realisation of ONENESS in the Universe.
3 TOKU-IKU (Moral realisation): putting into practice the principle
of ONENESS in every other aspect of daily life.
4 CHI-IKU (Intellectual realisation): development of wisdom through
coming to know the truth of ONENESS. |
M MUCHA PRINCIPAL - LANCASHIRE AIKIKAI
GRADING RESULTS
- SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY 1989
Grading details were published in the paper version - Not published
online under Data Protection Provisions
On a less pleasing note, the attendance on the Course was very poor, even
though the practice was excellent. To progress in AIKIDO, you must practice,
and you must practice with different people. This is possible through
visits to other Clubs, and especially through Courses. A poor turnout
is an insult to the SENSEI, therefore I certainly hope that attendance
at the next Course is much improved.
EDITOR
