Special Offer

Join Sangamon Aikikai in January and receive one month free.

If you have thought of joining, or returning, or know someone who has thought of joining, now is a good time to give Aikido a try.

UIS Enclave Visiting - Really

Saturday, November 13th, UIS Enclave is visiting the Sangamon Aikikai dojo.

Yes, Lisa. For real this time. ;)

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 25th - Thanksgiving Day - No Class

Saturday, December 25th - Christmas Day - No Class

Saturday, January 1st - New Year's Day - To Be Determined

UIS Enclave Visiting

UIS Enclave, the martial arts club at University of Illinois at Springfield, has express an interest in practicing with the Sangamon Aikikai. Currently, it appears they will be at the dojo on either Saturday, October 30th or Saturday, November 6th.

If you are available, please plan to attend class these two days.

ANNOUNCEMENT - Aikido Demonstration

The Sangamon Martial Academy will be demonstrating aikido at the 33rd annual International Festival hosted by the University of Illinois at Springfield from 4:00 to 8:00PM on Friday, September 10th.

To recap:

WHAT: 33rd annual International Festival
WHEN: Friday, September 10th; 4:00-8:00PM
WHERE: University of Illinois at Springfield
HOW: You'll have to come to visit to find that out.


Hope to see you there.

The Kamiza

In our dojo we have what is called a ''kamiza'' as the focal point to our beginning and end of practice. It entails a low rectangular wooden riser/shelf, some flowers in a basket to the left and a nice black and white photo of  aikido founder, Morihei Ueshiba also known respectfully as ''O'Sensei'', to the right.  Kamiza is a term used in Japan to refer to the 'top seat' within a room. O'Sensei resides there as the guest with highest rank. We bow in toward the kamiza before practice and bow out afterward.

When I first began my training with Springfield Aikido my Sensei Lenore had told me that it is not a religious action to bow to the kamiza but one of respect for O'Sensei. This ritual has become important to me and I think to everyone else at the dojo. It helps me focus in the beginning and to decompress after practice. In addition I think it has revealed to myself a newfound respect in various aspects of external encounters (and various internal encounters) as well. I try to approach many areas of lifes situations with a humble and unassuming nature. It helps me to keep everything in a real perspective.

It certainly is a positive thing to have the kamiza and to be solemn for a few seconds before entering into a few hours practice and after. I have much respect for O'Sense and am deeply impacted by his philosophy of life and also his incomparable technique. He certainly has my respect. A respect well deserved.

True Blood and abstract thoughts about "ki"..

This post may seem a little abstract on the surface.. and maybe even a little bit like it was written in streams of consciousness... this is how my brain works. Bear with me. For those of you who know me, either from our dojo or from Facebook, you are probably well aware with my obsession with True Blood. If you don't know me, or were not previously aware, you are now. :) In any case, I have been watching the season 2 DVDs over the last week or so, and have become inspired by the character Godric. He is a 2000 year old vampire who, after so many centuries of bloodshed and violence, grew a conscience and has since been ruling over his territory with peace and fairness. (By now you are either wondering how a vampire relates to aikido or you're familiar with the show and are already ahead of me.. I'm getting to it)
The following is a YouTube video showing different Godric scenes...

Within this video, there is a particular dialogue between Godric and Eric that I want to highlight. This takes place after Godric has been freed from The Fellowship of the Sun, a vampire-hating church, who had taken him with the intent to tie him to a platform and let him burn in the sun before a cheering crowd of their members.

Godric: You'd be shocked at how ordinary most of them are.

Eric: They do nothing but fan the flames of hated for us.

Godric: Let's be honest. We are frightening. After thousands of years, we haven't evolved. We've only grown more brutal, more predetory. I don't see the danger in treating humans as equals. The Fellowship of the Sun arose because we never did so.

Eric: Is that why you wouldn't fight when they took you?

Godric: I could have killed every last one of them within minutes... and what would that have proven?

Aikido in practice is way of dealing with conflict and confrontation once it has reached the physical level. It seeks to manipulate kinetic energy in such a way that neither party becomes seriously injured. Yet, the philosophies behind aikido come into play long before the conflict becomes physical. In the dialogue above, Godric tries to relate to Eric the bigger picture.. that while it is true this church lashes out in hatred, those feelings and actions have come about because of the way vampires have acted over the years. Whether we are pragmatically trying to keep conflict from escalating, or idealically trying to prevent conflict altogether, we need to keep ourselves open to the feelings and perspectives of others, even when it means seeing ourselves as faulted. Just as we practice on the mat to get a feel of the ebb and flow of kinetic energy our partners give us, we need to allow ourselves to see ourselves and the world from varying perscpectives and understand how people work.. Religion, language, psychology, history, culture as a whole.. all of these things come into play. We cannot overlook or forget that the "ki" in "aikido" means mind as well as spirit/energy. No one ever said this was easy... but nothing worthwhile is ever attained easily.

Observations on Being ''Aiki"

 It occurred to me one early morning while enjoying my coffee on the front porch that being ''aiki'' could apply to many things in life. From almost a year of training it has slowly come to fruition in my head that ''aiki'' doesn't necessarily mean to control anything but rather to guide and blend. In life then we try to engage and absorb, flow with and direct or re-direct energy based on our situation(s) at the time and on what the necessity is  for those reactions. This is a way to maintain harmony and balance which without our training would certainly be a larger task. On the mat, the energy or ''gift'' we receive is blended into a diffusion of the energy until it is spent. Such is not an easy task, in life or on the mat. These are things I know and have learned in class. Energy is best used when blended. It is like two vehicles in a high speed head on collision; the energy is destructive and forced upward in one massive, violent release of energy creating incredible destruction, then it is over. The alternate version is two vehicles that meet in a high speed encounter, but before they can hit head on one of them gracefully slides next to the other one, connects door handles and spins and spins and spins until they are safely stopped with no damage to either one. The energy is spent and both vehicles can go on their way.  

  It is no easy task applying an ''aiki' sensibility to everyday situations. However, if more of us attained to approach life in this sense on the mat and off through practice, patience and understanding what a much improved world this would be.  

New Students Make the Best Teachers

Last year, one of my new practice partners said to me, “You probably wish you didn’t have to practice with me…”

Nothing could be further from the truth. I enjoy having new practice partners. Not only is it an opportunity to train with a new body type – different things work with different individuals and each technique must be adapted, however slight the variation – it’s also an opportunity to learn things about my own aikido.

Recently, we’ve had two new members join the dojo. Teaching them forces me to step back and think about the technique, to break it down into parts in my own mind, so I can properly show it to them. In so doing, it gives me a greater understanding of the mechanics and energy involved. By teaching them, I’m also re-examining my own methods and learning as well.

As Aristotle said, “Teaching is the highest form of understanding.”

I’ve discovered when I’m paired with new students that I see things about my own methods that need to be tweaked or refined. It creates moments of illumination. When I see someone else come in with a straight arm for iriminage, I can finally comprehend how it would work better if the person performing the throw lifted their arm and uke’s chin to the stars. This is something I’ve had to constantly remind myself about, but now that I’m showing it to others, I’m actually performing it better.

I can't wait to work with the next new student. Who knows what they will teach me.

Kicking Butt For Inner Peace

I know there have been some reposting going on recently. I'll have you an original blog post soon, with soon being defined by me. In the meantime, Lenore forward this to my attention and asked for me to post it:

In the beginning, it was a secret. Inspired by a television program on abused women, I snuck out with my sister to find a martial arts school for myself. I had told my husband at the time that I was interested in finding a martial arts class.

"That's for men," my first husband said, "and you are not very physically active anyway." But I was 20 years old and inspired.

I later became frustrated with many martial arts and self-defense classes that I found. At the point of attack, the victim is taught to instantly transform into a crazed aggressor by kicking, striking and screaming.

This is unrealistic, particularly for a woman who isn't aggressive by nature. So I gravitated toward aikido, a defensive martial art that taught me to work with -- instead of against -- my nature. Aikido works by blending with an attack and redirecting it away.

Learning how to remain calm and centered in the face of an attack helps me just as much in my everyday life as it does in aikido.

Read the remainder of the article

Aikido Video

Steve Reents often posts aikido videos on his Facebook page. I enjoyed this one. I was especially watching the placement of the second hand when iriminage was performed.

ANNOUNCEMENT

On the following dates, Lenore Killam will be unavailable to teach class. Either Lori Basiewicz or Michael Gammon will lead class:

• May 13th
• June 3rd
• June 5th

There will be a Memorial Practice in honor of Lt. Colonel Henry Plawer on Thursday, May 20th.

Paradox?

Oops.

Today is Monday. That means I’m supposed to have an Aikido blog posted. I don’t have one written, let alone posted.

Double oops.

I suppose I could blog about something I’ve been pondering. Maybe someone reading will have some thoughts.

Part of being Zen, at least how I understand it, is to live in the moment. What you’re doing is what you’re doing. You’re not thinking about the past or the future. Not too long ago, in response to my being tardy, my boss said she thought martial arts taught discipline. It was a cordial comment and I responded that there was discipline and there was discipline. I was thinking of the Zen-thing, of the idea that you are supposed to be focused on what you’re doing now.

Ever since, I’ve been puzzling what could be a paradox.

Priorities

The thing with Aikido is, if it is to do you any good, it has to be as much of a priority as any other workout routine, but at the same time, life has a way of getting in the way. There’s work. There are family commitments. In my case, there are deadlines (ah, the life of a freelancer – one deadline after another.) I’ve long struggled trying to balance my day job, freelancing, school, family, and aikido.

Not too long ago, Lenore Sensei (yes, I know it’s more properly Killam Sensei, but I’ve called her Lenore Sensei almost since I started training under her) took me aside and said her Sensei had always told them that the priorities, in order, were: 1) Family, 2) Work, 3) Aikido.

These days, I’ve been keeping that list in mind as I keep everything moving forward. I also remind myself that there are ways to practice Aikido that don’t take place on the mat, too. There are ways to pay it forward that don’t have to take place at certain times. This blog, for example. It’s something I can do for the club any time, even when I’m not available to be tossed about by my practice partners. Granted, blogging is no substitute for pinning six foot tall, muscular men to the mat, but, nonetheless, it’s something that I can do for the club when the rest of life is going a little bit crazy.

Aikido Motion Capture

Steve published this on his Facebook page. I liked it and thought everyone else might enjoy it, too.

Aikido & Life

Lenore Sensei is very quick to let anyone who not familiar with martial arts who are interested in joining the Sangamon Aikikai that the little rituals we follow before, after, and during class are not religious in nature. And, it’s true. They are not. They are signs of respect with the origins in Asian culture handed down from martial arts’ founders. Only natural considering that is where many of the most widely studied martial arts have their origins.

No practitioner should approach Aikido as if it were a religion. But it can be a metaphor for life. Study it long enough and you will find some of its philosophies altering how you deal with others on and off the mat. O’Sensei had done a lot spiritual study during his life and some of the personal philosophies he developed do surface in the art. He expressed this once when he said, “The art of Peace I practice has room for each of the world's eight million gods, and I cooperate with them all. The God of Peace is very great and enjoins all that is divine and enlightened in every land.”

There is another saying in all martial arts, not just Aikido: “Your opponent will tell you how he wants to be defeated.” O’Sensei also said it as, “When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.” On the mat this means be aware of your partner’s energy. How are they moving, what direction their body is pointed, how their center directed. Realizing these things – and at a certain point you’re able to feel them without looking – tells you how to direct your own body, energy, and center to throw your partner or opponent. Do not fight against them but add your resources to the direction they are already going.

Off the mat, this is equally true. Do you have a boss who overextends their authority into areas it is not appropriate? Do not argue with them. Do not fight. Appeal to a higher authority. Do you have an employee who acts too independently? Allow them their independence. Eventually, it will reap rewards or they will have to turn back to you for guidance. Do you have a relative who is only interested in you when they need something? Do not try to force them to be a part of our life. Do not wait for them to express interest in you. Live your life, regardless of their interest or blessing. You will be happier and less stressed.

Other sayings are equally relevant. On the mat, we students are often enjoined to not stop moving. Always stay in motion, even if you’re not certain what comes next or what to do. To stop is to die – or be thrown, as the case may be. If you enter into one technique and it’s not working Do Not Stop. Do something else. Anything. Eventually, you will find your body doing things before your mind has consciously told you why.

Recently, I become hooked on a Facebook game – Mahjongg Dimensions. As with most Facebook applications, it links you up to your friends who are also playing the game and allows you to post your high scores whenever you play. My scores have been considerably higher than my friends. One of my practice partners asked me how I was managing to do it. I told her, but I should have expressed it differently. I should have told her it’s like Aikido: Don’t Stop Moving. Stay in motion, regardless of what is and what is not working. Eventually, you’ll hit the right combination to win.

So many things are like that; so many things can be expressed as “like Aikido,” if only we allow ourselves to feel how our partner’s energy is moving around us.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Lenore Killam will not be available to lead class on Thursday, April 1st. Class will be led by Michael Gammon.

What, not Where

This past week, I read an article about wabi-sabi (the Japanese aesthetic, not the hot, green paste). While reading, I came across a quote by Sen no Rikyu, author of a tea sacrament:

A luxurious house and the taste of delicacies are only pleasures of the mundane world. It is enough if the house does not leak and the food keeps hunger away.

It was a timely passage, as I had just been having a conversation with a “missing” practice partner about the aesthetics of the dojo where we practice. Understand, the building where the Sangamon Aikikai practice was, until recently, owned and operated by our sensei, but she since sold it to the MMA sensei who had been renting from her.

There were many reasons for this, most of which are none of my business. It was, overall, a practical business decision and one that had mutual benefits. Warrior Concepts, the MMA club that practices in the same space as us, have more financial resources to maintain the facilities, more members to assist with the labor, and more time to devote to marketing and upkeep. Conversely, a least half of the members of the Sangamon Aikikai, including sensei, are pursuing degrees in higher education and most of the others have young children. Both are time intensive occupations that prevent the aikido students from pitching in with the facilities and marketing as we ought to have done. Something had to give.

And it did.

Now, the plus side of this is Lenore, our sensei, and Scott, Warrior Concept’s sensei, are good friends and as long as Scott’s club has a mat to practice on, so shall we.

However, some of my fellow students have expressed dismay over the changes Scott has made to the facilities. Under the care of the aikido students, the dojo, at best, had potential. The walls needed a good coat of paint. The entryway needed personality. Our storage needed better organization and more options. Information about the different clubs needed a home.

Scott has taken care of most, if not all, of those issues, but he has done it in such a way that the personality of the dojo, instead of the calm, understated vibe that is aiki, is the bold, in-your-face personality that is MMA. The once dirty, in need of a scrubbing, off-white walls, have been painted red and yellow. There is a fence around most of the mat, quotes about war on the walls, and pictures of men who have been beaten bloody and survived.

And you know what? That’s okay. Because being aiki is not about our surroundings. It is something we are taught to carry within. It is one thing to be calm and relaxed in a soothing environment. It’s quite another thing to do so when everything around you is screaming at you to stand out. We should be able to be aiki at work, with three different individuals demanding impossible deadlines, at home when the children are crying, driving, at the store, wherever we are.

In the end, aiki has nothing to do with where we are; it is what we are.

What do we have to prove? We know we're badass...

For those of you unfamiliar with me, my name is Lisa and I began studying aikido in June of 2002. I was 17 at the time. I actually fell into aikido by accident. At the time, I was actually interested in Tae Kwon Do, which our dojo also taught, among other arts. My grandfather took me out there one Saturday morning (June 5th, to be exact) to see what a class looked like. Neither of us knew the schedules, and we were way too early for TKD, but just in time for the aikido class to start up. So, I ended up practicing in a t-shirt and a borrowed pair of gi pants.

One of the first things I noticed about this bunch was how nice they all were. While I had a genuine interest in learning a martial art, I was worried about what kind of people the instructors and other students would be. I guess I had it in my head that classes would be like little mini boot camps with lots of harsh formalities and no room for error and questioning. It set me at ease to be around these people that were so accepting and had as much of an eagerness to teach me as I had to learn. It was this attitude that kept me coming back. I even managed to get my grampa to try out a couple of classes. :)

Aikido as a martial art is very relaxed while at the same time efficient. Rather than straight lines and hard punches and kicks, aikido works with circles and the manipulation of energy. There is no actual attacking in aikido, it's all defense.

I remember coming home from class and talking to my dad about it. He's an ex-marine, and as such, he wanted to try to show me some of the simpler combat moves, because he felt they were superior to what I was learning. While every technique he showed me was indeed quite effective, and would work very well for him, they would do me no good at all. Each of these techniques of his required upper body strength that I don't have, and for half of them, my relative shortness put me at an obvious disadvantage. They also tended to use much more energy to execute. None of that is an issue in aikido because you're fundamentally just redirecting the other person's energy, so you're not wasting your own. There is no forcing or real strength required because if that person stops giving you energy to work with, in other words, if they stop attacking you, there is no need to continue fighting as they are no longer posing a threat. There are also multiple ways to defend against any one attack, and what may work great against someone shorter wouldn't be the best against someone taller, and no one way of responding to an attack is better than another.

I think that plays a role in that sort of loose and relaxed, yet alert and ready swagger that I see in most aikidoka. It comes through in their personalities.. they're a generally happy and peaceful lot, as aikido is about harmony, and they don't feel they have anything to prove to others, they already know they can be badass when they need to be.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Practice on Thursday, January 7, 2010 is dependent on the weather. Contact Lenore before driving to the dojo to see if practice is on or off.