Day Eight, Training day five

As the sun shined brightly through my bedroom window, the wind blew and the parrots sang. It was 7:00 am and the morning was beginning to take shape. The first class today started at 7:30am, followed by an 8:30am class. Both classes were and usually are taught by Sensei Bernice Tom. As I have mentioned before she is a direct link to O'Sensei. Furthermore, she has not adopted her own style of aikido but rather teaches the Aikido that was taught to her by Saito Sensei and O'Sensei. I am grateful to be learning under her and feel she is an excellent teacher of Aikido. The morning class was again without Ambers presence. We all hope to see her return quickly. Nonetheless, the class was powerful with energy and spirit. I am learning more and more each day. I am beginning to understand more about kokyu. This is the power of "breath" arising from our center, manifesting itself through the body as a movement of the arm. This is a very important movement as well as a key principle in Aikido. Kokyu also has meanings of "the knack", "the secret" and "timing". This is much to learn with Aikido and I feel that I havent even begun to scratch the surface. I have been given a handbook for Sunset cliffs Aikido and feel is a wonderful tool for beginner students. If you are considering Aikido you may find some of the following information helpful:

Beginners Mind/ Attitude
Somethings you are about to learn will be new to you. Open your mind to a new possibilites. Empty your cup so you can ready to fill it. Come to Aikido ready for new possibilites of expanding your beliefts so you will find it easier to accept new teaching. Let your mind be empty. Aikdio is a very natural art. Most of your training will be learning to let go of limitations of previous habits and reactions. You will notice maybe even in the first class that when your body starts feeling a natural flow you will learn faster and easier. Enjoy the present moment and present technique. The secret to success is daily training.

Be Non-Judgemental
As we grow up we often compare ourselves with others or with the expectations that we have for ourselves. You are where you should be as an Aikido student. We have a saying that there are no mistakes in Aikido. Everything that you do in class is correct, meaning that you action is simply an expression of your state of being right now. Dont hamper yourself by judging whether you are right or wrong. Strive for perfection, all the time realizing that whatever you can do at the moment is perfectly right.

The above exerpts were written verbatim from the student handbook at Sunset Cliffs Aikido.

I am also learning some of the basic techniques and weapons. I have been involved almost daily in training with the jo suburi. The techniques I am learning are:
Tsuki No Bu
1. Choku Tsuki
2. Kaeshi Tsuki
3. Ushiro Tsuki
4. Tsuki Gedan Gaeshi
5. Tsuki Jodan Gaeshi Uchi

Practice will begin again today at 6:30pm for Suburi and again at 7:00pm for General.