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[Editor's Note: In this contribution to the Beginner's Corner, Carole Dupont vividly describes the excitement and frustration of beginning Aikido, as well as emphasizing the importance of support from fellow practioners.] A Grandmother Begins Aikido by Carole H. Dupont, 3rd kyu, Valley Aikido It's been wonderful experience training in the art of Aikido for the past two years! I vividly remember that hot, humid August evening that I entered the Valley Aikido Dojo in Hadley, Massachusetts for the very first time. Students in white uniforms, higher ranks in their dark blue hakamas, were kneeling silently in meditation position waiting for class to begin. I liked the quiet, peaceful feeling of the mostly undecorated white walls. There was very little to distract the keen attention that was centered on the smooth, flowing movements of the sensei. I immediately knew I was very interested in learning those intricate foot patterns, those effortless falling techniques, and those efficient body movements absorbing, deflecting and subduing the aggressive attacker. I would be back the next day to begin my Aikido training. As a grandmother, I was gratified to see a wide range of ages, teenagers, college students, professionals from all walks of life, as well as the large number of women not only represented in the student ranks, but as qualified senseis, with the knowledge and teaching skills equal to their male counterparts. But that exuberant feeling did not last for long! All that Japanese terminology was driving me mad. Katatori, katatetori, kokyunage, kokyuho, they practically sound alike when said at normal conversational speed, and I didn't know if they were saying thank you, please share with me or describing a foot pattern. When my brain finally figured out what I was supposed to do, there was a time lapse between the hearing and the actual performance of the technique. Three Aikido books and many, many arduous hours of pouring over the terminology sheets later, it finally sunk in and I could react without the time delay. The testing sessions were even worse. Sensei would fire out the instructions with machine gun speed ---ushiro tekubitori kotegaeshi, suwari waza katatori nikkyo omote and ura. Well, after the torturous pressure of my fifth kyu test, I smartened up and started to write the techniques in the daily log of what is covered in each class that we keep at the dojo. This constant repetition forced me to finally become accustomed to these strange sounding words. Learning to spell them---that's another story! Falling properly is an art form all unto its own and it is crucial in the execution of the technique. Falling without hurting yourself is also an art form necessary to achieve if you are to survive in Aikido. The forward and backward rolls are very awkward and learning to relax and control and direct your body takes time for a beginner to develop. The worse part for me is that split second when I lose control over my own movement when nage throws me. The panic is overwhelming and I tighten up. I have decided to make ukemi my Year 2000 mission. It will be an even greater challenge than those I have already encountered but I feel I can accomplish this goal with the same persistence, hard work and constant repetition; providing of course, that I have the help of my fellow students and senseis. As I look back to August 1997, I am glad that I made that decision to study Aikido. I have met so many wonderful people. Without the genuine unselfishness of my fellow students taking time out from their busy lives to help me prepare and perfect the techniques for my 5th, 4th and 3rd kyu testing, I know I could not have done it. It has been a most wonderful and exhilarating experience, training in the art of Aikido for the past two years, and I am eagerly anticipating a fantastic future of accumulating knowledge and wisdom. |
