Aikido – Links to Life
By Gregor Erdmann
For a long long time, I was not able to draw parallels between Aikido and every day life. I imagine that I am not alone in being unable to relate a series of martial arts moves to the things that come up in everyday life. If you are also in this boat, fear not, for realisation will come after more training when you will view aikido not as a ‘jitsu’ (method), but a ‘do’ (way).
Contrary to my initial belief, the techniques in aikido are not really the essence of the martial art. While the techniques distinguish aikido from other martial arts or activities such as karate, dancing, boxing or kendo, and they also define the aikido system, they are not the end goal of the martial art. As with religion, the ceremonies and practices are not the end goal of the religion. We do not pray to become an expert in prayer, nor do we observe mass to become good at mass. Even going to the gym follows the same idea. We do not do bench press to become good at the bench press. All the practices and techniques are purely the vehicle to some form of self improvement, be it physical, mental or spiritual.
The essence to aikido is found in the practice and the journey, the benefits are the growth and development. With this in mind, we can then draw numerous parallels to daily life - especially so with aikido, as it fully encompasses, spiritual, physical and mental growth within its scope.
Within its techniques is the principle of centeredness. It is something found in numerous self-help books. It is something that everyone aspires to. The ability to stay centred throughout your daily activities. Our training gives us a very deep understanding of this concept as it touches on all three facets of our being. We come to understand that all three need to work together, they affect each other and they are reflections of the same thing. To be physically centred is to be mentally and spiritually centred too. We can experience the incredible difference it makes in our ability to produce effortless power, move with freedom, and see what is happening around us.
Change is synonymous with tai-no-henka. It is the same as non-attachment. It is the same thing which brings misery in their everyday lives. Again through aikido we experience this with every fibre of our being. To perform these turning movements we need to change completely, let go completely and commit completely. Turn the head, look where you want to go, forget the pressure on your wrist. If in life, we were able to simply let go of our mistakes and failures, not cling to our successes we would find less people depressed with low self-esteem or trapped in the vicious circle of vices such as drugs, gambling and drink.
To perform a technique correctly requires full presence and commitment. Any less, and we are full of openings like Swiss cheese. It takes complete physical, mental and spiritual commitment to really be with the technique. Focussed mental serenity, a shout to awaken our spirit and drive with our body to gain a sense of truly performing a technique. Any slackness in these aspects will be met with resistance and a counter technique. Likewise, it is the people with this kind of focus that are the successful in life. The passionate move the masses. The committed make the billions.
To be balanced is to contain both yin and yang. Such a person is naturally centred and flexible. Any power of an attack is received and at the same instant released back to the opponent. Essentially we use their power against them and they defeat themselves. In life we are also dealt attacks and hardships, each with its own positive if we choose to recognise it. To understand yin /yang is to live life understanding that all ups have their downs and that this cycle is natural and necessary. The interaction of both is the source of life, creativity and movement.
To be an aikidoka is to be diligent in your training. Is to train when you walk, eat sit. This mindfulness is something that the highest level monks aspire to. Any martial art technique is inherently dangerous and requires mindfulness to be able to train safely. In the enclosed quarters of a dojo with arms and legs flying everywhere, our awareness is stretched to all dimensions. During randori, our awareness dances within the space of our attackers in swirls and eddies taking them off balance even before we perform a throw.
Aikido is all about making the maximum effect with the minimum of effort. We only move what is necessary, as far as necessary along the ideal path. Our movement is as efficient as possible to produce the power or generate the speed required. We even learn efficiently and apply every principle we grasp to all our techniques. If our lives were to be led as efficiently, we would have enough time to do all the things we love and be successful in all. Our very being would hold a grace that would inspire and attract others.
Some of these concepts will be fully grasped later in our aikido lives, however through consistent regular practice the benefits will come to us and enrich our daily experience.
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