The Secret of Aikido

Patience may be a virtue but eagerness and haste have been life long companions. So when it came to learning aikido, my “companions” were only too willing to accompany me.

About a year into my training, it was time to begin learning breakfalls. This was not an area I was looking forward to. Being taller and of large frame, this served me well in the past, blocking 90 mph fastballs in the dirt as a catcher in college and 90 mph shinais in kendo, but the thought of hitting the mat AND getting up in one piece was perceived as somewhere between challenging and a bad dream. Nonetheless, I was fully commited to learning and working through this.

There was one particular shodan whose skills and approach to aikido in general was simply outstanding. I would watch with eagle’s eyes everytime our Sensei would use him as his uke. Despite his imposing size, he moved in a most reactive and graceful fashion, hitting the mat in a manner that would offer the maximum protection. Amazement was usually the end result of my observations.

Prior to taking my first venture in to the unknown, I was going to learn the “secret” first. After all, Paul was a master uke not only in my eyes, but my classmates as well. After class, I asked him “What is the real key to learning aikido and in particular ukemi.” Just show up” was the response. What?!? Just show up?! This is your answer?! These were the edited versions of a sampling of my silent responses.

Driving home, the fumes were fanned by my internal dialogue. “Just show up?! If you didn’t want to speak, just say so… just show up and… wait a second here.” Somewhere along the road on Colonial Drive, the message began to sink in. Apparently eagerness was distracted and haste fell asleep because the simplicity and power in three simple words began to be digested.

Fast forward 2 years to the present and we are getting ready to host a weekend seminar with a 7th dan/Shihan. As part of the preparation, I met him at the airport. One of our instructors considered it a favor. I considered it an honor. From the airport, we went to lunch. Sometime during the course of the meal, two familar “companions” decided to join us. “I have the honor of speaking with a Shihan. I will ask him what the real secrets of aikido are. He will tell me. We get along well. I even speak a little Nihongo. He will tell me the secret, not the other stuff he’ll be teaching at the seminar. The real thing.” This road was already beginning to feel all too familar but like the mouse who can’t seem to avoid eating the cheese, I asked anyway. “Sensei, what is the major key to aikido? You know, the secret.” “Practice like I have for 37 years. Daily. And you can reach this level.” Once again, the secret was revealed, the mystery unraveled for me. Yes, perhaps granite can be penetrated.

The lessons learned off the mat are often as powerful or more so. The one that strikes a chord from these experiences is: success is a byproduct of hard work and endurance. Most people who fail do so because they quit too soon, not because of lack of skill or ability. Anything worth doing or worth learning must be accompanied by a marathoner’s mentality. One step at a time. One mile at a time. Just keep moving. Just show up.

Michaelangelo was considered one if not the greatest painter to date. He made a most interesting, poignant comment when he said “If you knew how many hours and hours I have spent practicing, you would not be very impressed with my work.”

Michaelangelo was an aikidoka at heart.

Copyright 2005. D. Orman

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David Orman — October 14^th, 2005 (add comment)