The Path Of Aikido

Aikido is as individual as the individual who takes on the journey. On the surface aikido is a Japanese martial art designed to defend one’s self against on coming aggression—achieved by moving out of the way of an attack and absorbing that energy as part of our own—becoming one to diffuse the situation. This takes years of diligent and self-disciplined training under the proper guidance. While at the same time we condition our bodies to be well-oiled machines ready to take on any physical challenge set before us. There is no training like aikido training some may say. Over time as we meet one physical challenge after another, we find our technique grows stronger. We come to understand the use of proper center. Center being the area of a person’s being that possesses great strength and balance. We learn to control our bodies and move with minimal effort while producing maximum effects. Our mind and body become one and our spirit is unbreakable.

But aikido is more than just a parlor trick filled with physical feats. For many practitioners it takes on a deeper meaning. It becomes a new way of finding yourself—a new way of interacting with others and our surroundings. It is a life-changing experience that opens our hearts and minds to the wonders of the world. This aspect of aikido training is much more difficult to achieve. It is a life-long journey that challenges us every minute of every day. We must take the teachings we learn in the dojo, a setting designed for formal physical training, and apply them to everyday life and beyond the physical sense.

As a beginner student of aikido, we are not aware of the hidden positive effects aikido has on us. We are consumed with learning what the sensei demonstrated and work hard to imitate what we have seen, practicing it over and over again—pushing the physical boundaries. But all the while we are learning conflict resolution techniques that change our perspectives and behavior on human relations. As we train in aikido we experience the role as both the attacker and defender. This allows us to learn how to react from both sides—learning to see what the other sees. This role reversal training affords us the opportunity to see the other side of a situation. When we take the time to find out where others are coming from we learn something of ourselves. We learn to be patient, tolerant, understanding and compassionate. We focus on the similarities and not the differences. And by focusing on the similarities we learn to expound on the benefits and what they have to offer and the changes they can make. Far too often what is really important gets lost in an effort to be dominant or in control—only by what we say or do. Aikido teaches us to give way because all has something to offer even though it may be different. And through understanding what is different we can find what is the same in us all.

Aikido is more than a way to defend one’s self. Aikido is more than a Japanese art form. Aikido is a way of being—a way of living—a way to express one’s self and a way of thinking. Aikido takes on a personal meaning unique to all involved. It becomes an expression of life, a journey leading to better understanding through open communication, which allows us to think and react with others in a positive and nurturing light. We find that we learn from one another, thus, we grow together, bridging the conflict of differences through a mutual acceptance of each other and what we have to offer.

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Michael Aloia — February 18^th, 2005 (add comment)