Contributed by Jay Barnet, Nashville Aikikai
Ikeda Sensei's much-anticipated seminar in Louisville created some deep resonance among us. I will attempt to note a few of the highlights, and to re-create a small part of Sensei's instruction.
Ikeda Sensei likened the development of aikido skills to formal education. Someone in law school does not think like someone in second grade. We expect more from the advanced student. Sensei used this analogy to encourage advanced aikido students to move beyond basic techniques, to adapt and adopt styles that fit their personal path in aikido.
Sensei encouraged us to view technique from multiple angles. "Don't look at technique like it is flat on the video screen. You can have multiple camera locations, and each one will tell you something different about your technique."
Sensei demonstrated a series of basic katate-dori techniques where the position of the hand affected uke's center and led uke into different positions. Sensei explained that, "Uke does not grab your hand, you give your hand to uke, and the position and location of your hand will determine if uke is strong or weak.
"In aikido, we make uke weak, for a quick moment, and if our timing is good, that quick moment is all we need to take control." Take note of the relative strength between yourself and uke. Nage should be strong, with uke weak. If uke is strong, nage must find or create weakness. If nage is weak, you must develop a position of strength before you can influence your opponent.
Sensei presented a strong arm, and then quickly softened and led uke to a position of weakness. "At the moment when an opponent responds to your strong arm, lead that intention to weakness."
Ikeda Sensei often makes a point of encouraging students to take ownership of their aikido, to develop it in their own personal way. At this seminar he emphasized the point as strongly as ever. As I trained, as I listened to Sensei's instruction, and then as I witnessed four black belt tests and heard Sensei's feedback on the tests, a clear message came through.
Sensei does not get the benefit from our training. Each individual makes the effort and reaps the reward. As students develop their own unique aikido, they should keep an open mind and actively seek exposure to a variety of styles and teachers. "Aikido is so big and there are so many things to be learned from different teachers. Don't limit yourself. If you lived in a library, would you read only the same book again and again?"
I have reflected on Ikeda Sensei's message, and my sense is that we are, each one of us, art instructors. Our art is aikido, and our student is... ourselves. I believe Sensei is trying to get us to focus on the ways that we teach ourselves aikido. To focus on broad principles rather than narrow technique, and to apply those principles in ways that fit us personally.
From this perspective, an aikido test is really more like a recital than a final exam. We are not there to demonstrate the *perfect technique*, and we are not there to live up someone else's standards. When we test, we stand up and say, "This is my ikkyo. This is my irimi. This is my shihonage." Is our performance a reflection on our sensei and our training partners? Undoubtedly. But it is a greater reflection on ourselves, and on our performance as a self-teacher. Sensei can decide on our rank, but we each carry our aikido within us.
Sensei had some helpful views on dealing with personal limitations. He started by recommending that we focus on our strengths, but ended by looking at how to manage shortcomings. He talked about choosing one specific thing to become highly proficient in. "Aikido is so vast, do we expect to master everything? We cannot. But we can focus and become expert at one thing. What is it for you? It must be something you can do well. If you have an injury, that will keep you from being great at certain things. You have to work around your shortcomings, and emphasize your strengths. Bad knees? Bad shoulder? Adjust your aikido accordingly, and keep training."
As Ikeda Sensei moves ever deeper into the humanity and the power of aikido, we are fortunate to be invited along. Heartfelt thanks to Sensei for sharing so openly with us.
Jay Barnet, Nashville Aikikai
jaybarnet@aol.com