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Thursday, 10th July 2008
CONTENTS:
1.
2. Gradings At Everton Hills Dojo
3. The Secret Of Aikido – Submitted By Evan Haklar
4. Reminder - Sat July 26th and July 27th Hashimoto Sensei – Nathan Dojo
5. Share Accommodation Required
1.
On Saturday 7th June, Tony Neale Sensei and Capalaba dojo hosted a seminar by Murray Loader Sensei, a senior Yuishinkai instructor from
I’d like to review some of the main points from the day’s teachings but with the disclaimer that what a sensei brings to their seminar and what a student takes away from that seminar can be quite different things. This, of course, is one of the great things about seminars.
On that note, Loader Sensei first talked about the little nuggets of truth that senior sensei’s drop to their students to see whether they pick them up. As less experienced practitioners of aikido, we ask our teachers for the secrets of the art and often look for the answers in their physical technique. But Loader Sensei explained that it is the subtle concepts which are often overlooked as obtuse or merely novel which hold the key to advancing our training.
An example was Maruyama Sensei’s “seeing without looking” concept from 2006, which was, in Loader Sensei’s view, one of the most important teachings of that seminar. This is because it is a practice in non-attachment, a prominent concept in Eastern philosophy and one that Loader Sensei focused on for much of the seminar. The understanding I have of Maruyama Sensei’s notion is; to look at a thing is to actively attach your attention to it and therefore be unaware of other things. For example, when we practice Tanninzugake with 2 ukes and look at the first, we stop seeing the second. Therefore to “see” without the need of focusing attention, leaves your awareness of all things open.
This same concept was demonstrated once at a seminar at the Brisbane Aikikai by a Japanese Sensei and Buddhist priest, Shimamoto Sensei, who sat in front of the line up and without looking anywhere particular, would point to students and tell the class exactly who was fidgeting, adjusting their gi or shifting their body.
Loader Sensei taught that this underlying principle of non-attachment comes to all aspects of our training. For example, as nage, if we attach ourselves to the idea that we need our throws to work, we tense up and muscle our technique. For uke, if we attach ourselves to making our ukemi look good, we give an unfocused attack.
But there is also a trap in the reverse of this thinking. Again, to use “seeing without looking”, if we concentrate on Not looking, we are equally attached to that notion. Anyone who has ridden a bike and concentrated on not running into that expensive car parked in the driveway knows that this is the surest way to crash straight into it.
So to achieve this state of non-attachment, Loader Sensei’s solution was simple: Stop caring. Don’t care if your technique will throw your uke or not, don’t care if your ukemi will make your sensei look good; don’t care if you are confronted with a strong opponent. Just confidently perform the katas you’ve learnt to the best of your ability. This is all person can and need do.
It is this simple (but not necessarily easy) lesson that I believe was at the core of Sensei Loader’s seminar. Although there was very much more that I have not included here, the concept of non-attachment seemed to permeate most parts of the class. I’ll finish again with my disclaimer that this is my take on Loader Sensei’s teachings, which was, in part, his take on Maruyama’s (and other’s) teachings. The filtration of teachings from teachers to student creates opportunities for new interpretations and ideas to develop, which is a healthy and necessary thing. Equally important though, is learning directly from our most senior sources when we have the opportunity. So I would strongly encourage everyone who has not thought of attending the upcoming Hashimoto Sensei seminar and most importantly, the annual Maruyama Sensei seminar in September, to book a place for at least one class. You can always discuss people’s interpretations later on but having your own to compare it with is much more valuable.
Paul Crawley
2. Gradings At Everton Hills Dojo
On 30 JUN 08, David Shepherd and Michelle Roderick both graded for their 6th KYUs and Sylvie Lacherez and Gabriel Karour both completed their 7th. KYU gradings. All of them worked very hard on their gradings and showed good understanding and standard and made their sensei very proud.
Rod Nixon
3. The Secret Of Aikido – Submitted By Evan Haklar
The following article written by Stefan Stenudd, was submitted for inclusion by Evan. The reference link is:
http://stenudd.com/aikido/osensei-einstein.htm
"The secret of Aikido, said Osensei, 'is to harmonize ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself.' This is, of course, easier said than done. Still, I find Osensei's perspective to be rewarding in Aikido practice, as well as remarkably accurate even from a scientific viewpoint.
For Aikido not to be but an execution of smart tricks to fell an opponent, or an ever so pleasant physical exercise where two persons push each other around (although this is in itself quite amusing), we have to concentrate on the mysterious visions that were Osensei's. Then we notice a sweet accord between the ideals of Aikido and the cosmic world order. In fact, the principles of Aikido fit very well with the modern astronomical theories.
In space, when two celestial bodies move close to one another, it's the force of gravity that governs them. Gravity makes the earth orbit around the sun, instead of taking off into the vast emptiness of space. When in the 1680's Isaac Newton was the first to calculate the laws of gravity, he described it as a force pulling the celestial bodies towards each other - not unlike when a wild horse is tamed by help of a rope around its neck, forcing it to run in circles instead of fleeing. Through its enormous mass, the sun could pull the earth into a continuously curved route, although the planet was aiming for a straight line. This unending power play, with the celestial giants in eternal conflict, was not particularly likable.
In the beginning of our century, Albert Einstein introduced his theories of relativity, and changed this perspective completely. He showed that gravity was not a tug of war, but a curving of the very space-time continuum: when the earth orbits around the sun, it's all the time traveling on its own straight course - instead it is space itself that's curved around the sun. Therefore planet earth doesn't disappear into deep space, without the sun having to pull it. The orbit of the earth could be compared to the miniature Ferris-wheel for caged pet rodents, where they run and run, straight ahead, without getting anywhere at all.
This may be utterly frustrating to celestial bodies and small pets alike, but it's undeniably a harmonious guiding star for Aikido practice. The uke should not be thrown by being forced out of his course, but through curving the space-time continuum, so that he feels as if the route he's being lead is exactly the route he had himself chosen. As this is the way of the cosmos itself, and everything within, it could not be too difficult to learn, could it?"
Stefan Stenudd
4. Reminder - Sat July 26th and July 27th Hashimoto Sensei – Nathan Dojo
Just a reminder for everyone to register for the Hashimoto Sensei seminar
and also that Mrs. Hashimoto Sensei will also be assisting with the
teaching.
Places are strictly limited to 40 participants and only 20 places are left (the number of places still available is displayed on the website as registrations fill up)
To register online to secure your place
Sat and Sun Seminar - All welcome
Sat
• Aikikids 9:30-10:15 (Kids only, regular kids pricing applies)
• Adults 10:30-12:30
• (*BYO lunch)
• Adults 1:30-3:30,
(Seminar Dinner)
Sun
• Adults 10:30-12:30
• (*BYO lunch)
• Adults 1:30-3:30
Seminar Fee
$50 (or $20 per class)
$20 (or $10 per class)
5. Share Accommodation Required
Young German IT expert is looking for shared accommodation of, either a small flat or room with bed and cupboard and shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Arriving beginning of August and probably staying in
He also would like to train with us at
Please contact Jutta: juttacm@... if you know or hear of any available place.
Thank you,
Jutta
Shirin Mohebbi
Email: shirin(AT)internode.on.net
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