Ego is a Dirty Word

I thing ego can destroy aikido.

This is probably true of any martial art, but when you read the teachings of Ueshiba & Shioda you can see it is an important part of this system.

Aikido must be a natural reaction to the forces around you. Ego, as an emotional response, will cloud these reactions and impede techniques. Don't get me wrong, the techniques will still work and you will think you are doing well, but it will not be the flow of true aikido.

I see this many times in the dojo. Even from teachers.

Letting go of ego is very hard. It is more than acting humble or pious. It has to be a natural part of you psyche. This can only be learnt through life experience. When you face challenges and adversity you will learn about letting go of the ego. (hopefully)

Alas, some people never learn.
Physically they are very good, but it is not aikido. OSU.

Back to Basics

Return to training was good.

I think this is the best thing for my back. It's felt good each time. The movement is helping the recovery process. I just did two sessions this week. Next week I will return to regular sessions, I should be back to 100% in no time.

I won't grade this time around. Next month will be a Sogo Shinsa, two weeks of preparation. OSU.

Return to Shinsa

My back is still a little tight but I think I'll go back on Saturday.

It will be the start of shinsa training so it won't be as intensive as a normal class.

Training Saturday will give me the chance to see how I feel. Sunday is a rest day, Monday I'll probably make the decision whether I'm ready to return or not. OSU.

The Road to Recovery

My back is healing slowly but progressively.

You don't realise how much your back is involved in movement until it is sore. I'm sure it must assist in aikido movements. I guess the back and hips are all connected and move as one. This is where our centre of power is.

As I move at home I can feel the movements in my body. When I twist to pick up things in the kitchen I can feel it. It makes me think about aikido movements and how the body moves as one.

Perhaps injury allows us to become more aware of our body. By experiencing these movements we can create awareness of our body and learn to move as one instead of isolating movements.

This is the goal of aikido. To move as one. OSU.