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Just about every
three days, I receive e-mail requesting that I send a book or video to
someone so that they can learn Aikido by themselves. Sometimes the
reasons vary: there are no dojos close by, lack of good instructors, etc.
Of course, first of all we
don't send out or sell books, or materials of any kind. (Our Amazon.com and Barnes
& Noble links are for that.)
And we highly recommend
formal Aikido training from qualified and reputable instructors to
everyone, without regard to any particular Aikido federation
affiliation.
I received an e-mail a
couple of minutes ago with the following request: (the name and e-mail
address has been omitted for privacy and protection).
"Please, put out a web
site that contains full content about training for self training at
home."
Self training. Kind of an
oxymoron, if the person training himself has no knowledge or training in
the subject matter.
In Aikido, this is impossible if someone desires to learn the intended
Aikido of O-Sensei.
Above, Ueshiba demonstrating ki extension,
the power of Aikido. A student is pulling a belt that appears to be
wrapped around Ueshiba's neck. Three other men are pushing him back.
© 2003, Stanley Pranin, Aikido Journal.
All rights reserved
The Aikido I refer to is
that which Morihei Ueshiba and Koichi Tohei used when demonstrating the ki
power of Aikido, when using only the little finger to hold back three
men or more. Sometimes, several men attacked from the front either by pushing
ferociously on their shoulders, or the head. The list goes
on and on, when it comes to the ways in which these two men astounded spectators
and even their own students, when conveying the real power of Aikido
during classes, seminars, and demonstrations.
This is not a matter of
physical strength, speed or weight but rather the use of ki and
one-point. This cannot be learned from books, videos or even the
material of websites. It is learned by the student under the instruction
of an experienced Aikido instructor. (Of course, the instructor
should have verifiable credentials and time training.)
Learning Aikido is an
interactive process between instructor and student, and student with
other students in practice. The pupil must feel the technique, the
direction of the opponent, his own center or one-point, and learn to
blend the movement of another person with his/her own movement. To learn
this properly, an experienced instructor is imperative for the student.
The student must also dedicate quite a bit of time and commit to
listening and taking instruction from someone else.
My answer to this e-mail was
as follows:
Thank you for your
comments.
Truthfully and realistically, there is no way to fully train in Aikido
at home by being self-taught. And there is no website, book, or video
that will be able to fulfill your request, and effectively instruct
Aikido without the help of an actual Aikido instructor.
Aikido must be learned properly with the aid of a qualified instructor.
I can't tell you how many people are currently instructing Aikido
incorrectly because they themselves have had no interactive guidance
from a real instructor, except to read some books, view videos and
websites. They have not invested any length of time (ten years or more)
in surrendering themselves under the Aikido training. And this defines
the true Aikidoka versus the novice or mere tinkerer. They struggle
using muscle and strength, improperly trying to mimic techniques.
Without learning extension ("ki") and centering (keeping one-point), and
the joining ("ai") of the movements -- everything is just being
uselessly imitated or "aped". A monkey can do that.
Websites such as Aikido World Journal, books, and video media are merely
there to educate, enhance and improve on current training --- but can
never replace real training with an actual instructor with a good
background and long training in Aikido.
I will be referring your e-mail to my website to help the many others
that have made similar requests. Your name and e-mail address will be
removed for your privacy and protection.
I hope this helps. I get too many letters such as yours, that ask for
websites, books and videos to fulfill all of their Aikido training
needs. This is not real realistic and I refer these persons to Aikido
dojos for their training needs.
Thank you,
Cheryl
© 2003, Stanley Pranin, Aikido Journal.
All rights reserved
With all the e-mail I
receive everyday, I am thankful that some people ask questions about
Aikido, training, proper conduct of Aikidoka, etc. and even the ones
that ask for material so they can be self-taught. At least we can try to
refer them to actual Aikido dojos, in an effort to help them.
Cheryl Matrasko -
2/8/2003 11:26 PM
c-matrasko@aikido-world.com
© 2003, Cheryl Matrasko - Aikido World, Inc. All rights reserved
Thank
you to Stanley Pranin and Aikido
Journal.
Photographs displayed at the courtesy and permission of
Stanley Pranin, Aikido Journal.
Any
reprint or duplication of the above photographs is prohibited without
the express permission of Stanley Pranin, Aikido Journal.
*****
Cheryl Matrasko is a Network Analyst for the
department of Networking and Communications at a prominent Chicago hospital. Formerly the
LAN Administrator for
Northwestern University Medical School - Department of OB/GYN, and assistant LAN
Administrator to the previous MIS of the School of Law. Cheryl started Aikido in 1965,
studying under Isao Takahashi as her first instructor. She enjoyed working out under many
well known Aikido instructors during her tenure with Takahashi Sensei and thereafter
following his death in 1971. Cheryl has dedicated time with instructors in Northern
Shaolin
Long-Fist, Seven Stars Praying Mantis, and Daito-Ryu Aikijujitsu. Currently, she is
instructing Aikido at Northwestern University's Chicago Campus and founded Aikido World
Journal.
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