By Terry Keelan
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As the attacker grabs her arm, the woman neither strikes him nor pulls away. Instead she draws him close while deflecting his attack. They become partners, moving as one as she guides the aggressor to a place where neither of them will be harmed, locks him up and lightly tosses him to the ground. Or not so lightly. Welcome to aikido, “the way of harmonizing with the universal life force.” Developed in Japan in the 20th century by Morihei
Ueshiba Sensei, a master swordsman and practitioner
of Martial Arts, aikido is based on techniques of
non-resistance rather than opposition. |
“Aikido is spiritually driven,” says Shibata-sensei (Jim Shibata, who started the Venice Aikido Club in 1977 with the sponsorship of Mr. Tad Suzuki and the VJCC). Techniques focus on locks and projecting power rather than on punches and kicks. As an adjunct to training, students also learn to use the bokken (wooden sword) and jo (wooden staff).
Many aikido techniques are based on swordsmanship and the bokken is used to guide hand movements. The bokken provides a sort of visual aid to help the student understand the origins and purpose of a defensive technique.
What distinguishes Aikido from other martial arts, according to Shibata-sensei, is its non-competitive nature. Rather than attempting to defeat or harm an opponent, aikido teaches the practitioner to “welcome and embrace the opponent and take them to a place where neither can do harm,” according to Sarah Falsey, chief instructor for the Club.
Sarah has been
practicing aikido since 1981. She was initially attracted
to it as a means of self-defense, but has become immersed
in its philosophy of harmony and conflict avoidance. But she
also stays “Because it’s fun! Where else can a
grown up fall down and roll around on the ground?”
In fact, a training session usually begins with students hurling
themselves to the ground, rolling forward and backward on
the practice mat. Learning how to fall without hurting themselves
is the first technique new aikido students learn.
Advancement is achieved by testing, in which students demonstrate mastery of specific skills and may answer questions about the meaning of aikido. Students advance through kyu rankings, from fourth through first, and then enter the dan rankings, beginning at first degree dan, the equivalent of a black belt. These students, known as yudanshas, are allowed to wear the distinctive hakama, a black, chaps-like garment.
Both Sarah and Shibata sensei emphasize that aikido can be practiced by people of all ages and sizes. A small person will exercise the same techniques as a large one.
“It gives you a good sense of your body in space,” says Sarah and can lead to ‘extended aikido’ meaning an increased awareness of your body and its connectedness to the universe as well as a sense of harmony.
“The more you learn, the more it opens up to you,” says Shibata-sensei, a 6th dan who has been practicing for over 30 years. “It is a good art of people who are interested in something with a spiritual experience.” says Shibata-sensei. Because it is less ‘vigorous’ than more competitive martial arts, practitioners can participate well into their 80’s. Shibata-sensei himself is in his mid-70s. A seniors class, held on Mondays at 9:30 A.M., is taught by Lucy Ito, one of the original associates of the club. The Aikido Club meets on Saturdays at 7:00 - 9 A.M., on Mondays and Thursdays set up is at 5:15 PM. and class is from at 5:45 to 7:15 P.M.
You can learn more about aikido in Beth Shibata’s monthly column in this newsletter and at several websites, including:
by Gail Sharp
When approached on a recent Sunday, a camera-shy group of Community Center members was coaxed into considering its vision for the VJCC. You have seen the individuals supporting organizations and participating in activities at the Center. You won’t see them, though, posing in the margin adjacent to this article. In the short term, the group would like to see the VJCC purchase a bus or large van. Mass transportation would increase the Center’s capabilities for its Senior Outreach. To help mitigate the cost of a bus or van and the accompanying upkeep and liability expenses, the Center could form a committee to research and procure grants for funding this project as well as others. In the
long term, it is to the benefit of every individual and organization
member of our Community Center to work together to keep the
VJCC vital. A thriving VJCC makes for a thriving community! |
