Aikido
THE ART OF AIKIDO Dear community, Do you remember Jackie DeShannon’s song ‘What the world needs now, is love, sweet love?’ Released in 1965, it is, of course, still very relevant today. This is the essential message of the martial art aikido that I would like to introduce to you. Let me explain. Aikido does not teach how to fight, but how to defend oneself against any form of aggression. Morihei Ueshiba, who founded aikido, came up with a distillation of several more severe martial arts after the second world war, when he realized the world does not need more fighting, but instead more harmonizing. He created aikido as an antidote to the insanity of global conflict. In reality, smaller scale conflict resides within us and surrounds us daily, but its presence does not necessarily have to be a hindrance to positive growth in a relationship. The study of aikido offers tools for managing and resolving conflict in a peaceful, constructive way. In our practice, we learn how to lead, as well as to follow. Both are essential to a beneficial and creative group dynamic, whether that group constitutes a spousal unit, or a boardroom. There is no competition in aikido. In fact, we must work together for the techniques to blossom. We learn how to throw, and we learn how to fall. We must be respectful of our own and one another’s
limitations. We need to display a sensitivity to each other’s capacities and desires. In other words, we need to harmonize. Harmony doesn’t mean getting along with people at any cost, just to avoid confrontation. Rather, aikido’s harmony brings different, even opposing elements together and works as a first step towards reconciliation, towards building a deeper, more productive, and reciprocal relationship.
Aikido is a martial art that teaches how to blend and harmonize with any aggressive energy, whether physical, psychological or emotional. It teaches you how to remain relaxed in your mind and centered in your body and spirit in the face of adversity.
Aikido, the peaceful warrior art, calls on all men and women, young (14+) and old, who want to make a positive difference in their lives and in their communities . Build the confidence to stand your ground and speak your truth in a relaxed, centered and open-minded way. Beginners class starting in January at our Shawnigan Lake dojo. If intrigued, please inform by contacting Steve Elskens. Phone: 250 701 3332 Email: selskens@shaw.ca
In essence, you learn how to look at the world from another perspective, how to really, deeply, listen. Don’t you think we need more of that in our world? Less individualism, more openness? The incredible benefit from the mostly physical training on the mats is that you can transport the philosophic principles embedded in the practice into daily life. We all need to harmonize with other people (spouses, colleagues, siblings) daily. Aikido can help you find a centered, embodied approach to dealing with friction. Our dojo welcomes practitioners from all walks of life, from all ages (14+), from all genders. We all practice together because we can all learn so much from each other. Steve has been practicing aikido since 2003, studying with Sensei John Petersen at his dojo in Shawnigan Lake.
NEW LOCATION! Visit us in the Coastal Offices building 103-255 (Unit 212) Ingram St, Duncan 250 715 5649
www.cowichanvalleyacupuncture.com
69
