Why Do I Still Do Aikido
by Shelby Taye (2nd Dan)
"Society is unity in diversity" – George Herbert Mead.
I feel that this is a good way of describing Aikidoka. Various reasons draw us to this beautiful art and I would like to share mine in the hope of inspiring and motivating you on your martial arts journey.
How I started is a simple matter of chronological facts and circumstances but what keeps me coming back is of greater importance and the focus of this article.
"Self defense is not just a set of techniques, it's a state of mind that begins with the belief that you are worth defending" – Rorion Gracie
I was in search of a martial art that would protect me from one or more assailants. Occassionally getting bullied was inevitable, coming from a rough school in the 80s. Travel to the rougher parts of the region for work just reinforces the need for self-defence. Watching an aikidoka take on multiple attackers is a very awe-inspiring sight that I still find captivating. To be clear, I never want to hurt anyone, I just seek the confidence to stand tall knowing that I can manage things if the situation turns bad.
"Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live" – Jim Rohn
The high demands of a sedentary desk-bound job made it is easy for my health to deteriorate rapidly. Hence I was looking for something that not only developed fitness but also had a clear purpose. The advancement of age, too, made me reconsider boot-camp-style training. I wanted something more sustainable in the long run. Aikido, again, was my choice!
"There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work towards the same goals." - Idowu Koyenikan
It is a great feeling to have a common interest among people who would otherwise be complete strangers. Aikido broadens social circles and makes the world a smaller and friendlier place.
"Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own" ― Bruce Lee
My method of training in Aikido is a reflection of these perspectives. It gives me direction and focus. This is why I take training seriously. I always do my best to be sincere in my training. This is for the benefit of both my uke and myself in the hope that we can both grow in skill and experience by training seriously. Train with a joyful heart and see you on the mat!
"Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment" ― Morihei Ueshiba
A summary of my 40 years training in Aikido
by our late member Dr. Rolf Jacobson (4th Dan)
Why did I choose Aikido?
My initial experience with martial arts was with Jiu Jitsu practiced in the 1950’s in Amsterdam, under chief instructor Mr. de Koning, a student of Anton Geesink the Judo champion in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. I only reached the lowest grade, the yellow cherry blossom ;-)
Previously I was part of the BSAC Scuba section in the Tanglin Club and worked my way to becoming their Advanced Diving Instructor in September, 1989.
My affection for our diving community waned after 25 years, so I asked one of our office staff who practiced karate which art he would recommend. He suggested Aikido at the MYMCA.
In those years it was my deliberate purpose to do something different every year, either in study or in practice: archery, safe-cracking, Mandarin and Japanese classes, mixed martial arts, Tai Chi-Chuan style, PADI scuba diving to Open Water Instructor, Advanced Management Program by the Harvard Business School, and ultimately Aikido.
When I joined I asked one of the leaders if he could teach me Aikido in six months. He just laughed. I now understand. I am still learning in every session and far from perfection. Session #8876 [hours] was completed this morning (23rd of July, 2023) with Sensei Simon Lee who endured my imperfections with grace.
So what is so great about Aikido?
The easy answer in 2023 is to dump the question in Chat GPT’s lap:
“Aikido is a martial art that emphasizes the use of an opponent's energy and movements to defend oneself, rather than relying on brute force. It is known for its graceful and flowing techniques, and its focus on blending with an opponent's energy rather than clashing with it. Many practitioners of Aikido find that it helps them develop physical and mental discipline, as well as greater awareness and control of their own bodies.”
A very bland answer …
My personal experience is:
#1 That this art is the ultimate community and family of like-minded people who respect and fully trust each other, and try their utmost not to hurt their opponents during training.
Even though my father was interned by the Japanese in Java in WW2,
I was impressed by the courtesy shown to us by Japanese people during my five visits to Hombu Dojo, in 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008.
#2 There is also the imperative that we must stay physically active, even if it feels like an exercise in masochism. Like it or not, the alternative is a swift and painful deterioration of our physique until we become basket-cases in old age, needing a wheelchair to remain mobile.
#3 The ultimate in oxymoron, Aikido is said to promote NON-VIOLENCE by teaching students to defend themselves in training against simulated attacks.
As our previous chief instructor Shihan George Chang Koon Chua from the Ueshiba association once said, insulting and aggressive words are only that; Words and provocative language should not provoke a violent response.
I admit that his teaching of Aikido was as close to absolute perfection as I have ever observed. No two lessons were the same. His actions later were very sad, but we do not know his side of the story.
In summary, I feel that it is better to do an activity (exercise) where we learn something useful rather than running on a treadmill or doing push-ups at home.
Walking around with your head held up high and showing that you are confident should be enough to discourage cowardly attackers looking for an easy target. That is just my unverified view. I must also admit that I have never had to resort to Aikido to defend myself.
The one and only time the surroundings felt unsafe and risky was in the old part of Las Vegas which I visited with my daughter. So we booked a taxi back to our hotel.
To students questioning the endless repetitive nature of our training, they may not be aware that the purpose is to develop muscle memory and the ability to react instantaneously based on past practice so that no thinking is needed.
Lastly from this long-winded summary, if you ever use Aikido in real life in the United States, you may end up in court accused of “Excessive use of force” if you are an experienced Aikido practitioner (from a book I read on this subject).
I will let Monica Chat GPT end this with her summary on the question “Why might an experienced Aikido practitioner in the United States end up in court accused of ‘Excessive use of force’?":
"An Aikido practitioner may end up in court accused of excessive use of force if they use a technique that causes injury or harm to an attacker, which can be interpreted as excessive force in certain situations.“
Finally, I would like to thank all of you for being so kind and patient with me, keeping me fit and well through the years gone by.
Aikido Milestones
27 March,1983 6th Kyu
25 September 1983 5th Kyu
24 June 1984 4th Kyu
21 April 1985 3rd Kyu
27 March 1988 2nd Kyu
26 June 1990 1st Kyu
6 June 1992 Shodan
23 May 1996 Nidan
22 May 1998 Sandan
25 November 2004 Yondan
Ed - Rolf passed away peacefully on 23 May 2024
My Aikido, My Way of Life
3rd Dan Aikido Reflection
by Benson Low
Aikido has been an integral part of my life for over 18 years. It is not just a martial art; it is a philosophy that has shaped my mindset and influenced my everyday existence. When I first learned about Aikido from a friend, I was in awe of its grace and effectiveness. Despite only being a brown belt at the time, my friend demonstrated exceptional control and skill, leaving a lasting impression on me.
However, it took me another ten years before I began my journey in practising Aikido. Life's demands and other commitments had kept me away from the dojo, but deep down, I knew that Aikido was calling me. I yearned to experience the harmony and discipline it offered. Finally, the day arrived when I stepped onto the mat and embraced Aikido as my way of life.
Attaining my 1st dan rank was a significant milestone in my Aikido journey. At that moment, I believed I had achieved a great accomplishment. However, the more I delved into the art, the more I realised that I was merely scratching the surface. Aikido, with its intricate techniques and profound philosophy, revealed to me the depths of my own ignorance. I understood that I was still a beginner, eager to explore the limitless possibilities that Aikido had to offer.
With this newfound awareness, I focused on honing my Aikido's basic movements. I committed myself to perfecting my control, precision, and timing. I understood that true mastery lies in the mastery of fundamentals. Every time life presented me with challenges—a bottleneck at work, personal hurdles—I turned to Aikido's teachings of going "back to basics." The principles I learned on the mat became guiding principles in my daily life.
Aikido taught me patience and perseverance. Rome was not built in a day, and great skill cannot be attained overnight. I accepted the fact that it would take years of dedicated practice to refine my techniques and deepen my understanding. Rather than feeling discouraged by the long road ahead, I embraced the journey with excitement and humility. I saw myself as a perpetual student, eager to learn, grow, and develop a more fluid and dynamic Aikido.
Aikido has become more than just a physical practice for me. It is a way of life—an embodiment of harmony, resilience, and self-improvement. On the mat, I have experienced the power of blending with an opponent's energy, redirecting their force, and resolving conflicts without aggression. Off the mat, I have translated these lessons into my interactions with others. I strive to find common ground, seek understanding, and resolve conflicts through peaceful means. The impact of Aikido extends beyond the confines of the dojo. It has helped me cultivate a calm and centred mindset, enabling me to navigate life's challenges with grace. The principles of non-resistance and non-violence have influenced my decision-making, encouraging me to seek harmony and find solutions that benefit all parties involved.
In conclusion, Aikido is not merely a martial art that I practise; it is the guiding force that shapes my perspective and influences my actions. It has taught me the value of continuous improvement, resilience, and harmony. I am grateful for the opportunities it has provided me to grow as an individual and contribute positively to the world around me. As I continue my Aikido journey, I remain committed to embodying its principles, both on and off the mat, and to inspire others to discover their own path of self-discovery and personal growth through this beautiful art form.
Chin’s Aikido Journey
2nd Dan Aikido Reflection
by Chin Teck Keong
In 2014, I started learning Aikido at the age of 43. It was not an easy decision. I was not anywhere near my youth. The motivation for me to pick up a martial art at mid-life was that I wanted to accompany my son to learn something and, at the same time, help him build his character, cultivate determination and resilience.
At that point, Aikido was not interesting to me. I was there because I wanted to help my son.
It was only after 2 years that I began to discover the intricacies of Aikido. It was perhaps because of my 3rd kyu grading - I was “forced to” remember the steps and footwork in detail. In the process, I understood the movements better and started to see the connections between the hand and footwork. I experienced Aikido in a different way. I felt the flow through the transitions in the kata (pattern). In a way, Aikido sometimes looks like a dance to me. But a very synchronized and “soft Taiji-like” way of dancing.
During the same period, I also started to get to know my classmates and seniors and built friendships in the dojo. I had the chance to not only learn from the sensei but also from the people around me. Very often, even when the classes were over, we continued to hang around on the mat to discuss, study the art and finetune our skills.
That was when my Aikido journey really started.
I began to feel the joy of practicing Aikido. I got to know Aikido deeper and my interest grew. From that point onwards, there was no turning back. I increased my training from once a week to twice a week. Still not a lot of sessions by the standards of many senpais (seniors), but I saw my skills and techniques improved noticeably.
In fact, as I looked back, I enjoyed my Shodan (first dan) grading more than my kyu grading. This was because I had reached a point where I lived and think regularly about Aikido: in my daily life, in between work and during travel.
Aikido is good exercise to keep my body fit and my mind sane amidst my busy work schedule and family life. I look forward to time in the dojo to bond and practice with my classmates. However, it has so much more to offer than exercise.
We also have the opportunity to learn the use of weapons – ken (Japanese sword) and jo (Japanese wooden staff). This helps us to develop our versatility and enhance our confidence. Weapons extend our arms but also make our mistakes highly visible. Hence, we need to continuously perfect our movements (although we will probably never achieve perfection in our lifetime).
This is my 10th year practicing Aikido. I am thankful for all the teachers and classmates who journeyed with me this far in this beautiful art.
I am continuing my search for the essence of Aikido. It is no longer just about techniques, skills, or footwork. I look inward to understand my mind and emotions and have developed a higher awareness of my thinking and feeling.
True Aikido is the alignment of heart, intention, ki (internal energy) and physical energy. It is the integration of every element in us into a seamless whole. This can only be achieved through consistent and persistent daily practice, not just physically, but coupled with mental visualization to give us the clarity required in our mind.
If you asked me what Aikido to me is today, Aikido is not just a defensive martial art. Having enough flexibility, we can modify our techniques to adapt to any situation.
I particularly love Aikido as a non-competitive art. We adjust our speed during practice to cater to the level of our partners. We take care of our uke (partner) to ensure the person lands safely to prevent injuries. We exercise compassion, and control our ego and urge to floor our partner aggressively.
Aikido techniques might not be suitable to be used in a fight within a ring or cage. However, these techniques can defend against a variety of other offensive techniques.
Outside of the dojo, in the real world when we cannot resolve the situation amicably or when we cannot walk away from an attack, Aikido can be powerful and practical to take down our opponent if executed decisively and courageously.
This is perhaps the true spirit of Aikido – the way of harmony – with and within ourselves, with people around us, with nature.
The journey continues ...