As I approach my Shodan grading at the age of 62 the writing of my Roban has focussed my mind onto the path I have travelled since commencing Aikido 5 years ago. My shodan grading is a major milestone in my life and aikido journey but not the last simply one destination in a long journey of discovery.
Why did I take up aikido at this stage of my life? I still ask myself that question and whilst the answers vary I certainly do not regret it. I played with judo, boxing etc at an early age and saw my children through karate. I have always been intrigued by the power of the mind and internal energies which are often quoted in martial arts but are particularly evident in Aikido. After competing in many sports I also appreciated the non competitive element of Aikido although that is somewhat a myth as we all compete to be better.
It was not without some trepidation that I took the step into the unknown but excellent introductory classes in ukemi by my first teacher Lyn Meachen introduced me to my friend the mat and eased me in to the initially confusing world of nage waza, katame waza and perhaps less welcoming at my age suwari waza and one could not leave out a high fall from koshi nage rattling your whole skeleton.
It is on this aspect of age that I would like to dwell and to try and offer back to the development of Aikido some of the things that I have experienced and observed on my short journey. All activities need new blood to thrive and grow. In today’s more active society that blood need not necessarily be young. The older person is also capable of participating with the correct training and understanding. Much has been written about how to train the young but we must also consider the other end of the spectrum if we want to take full advantage of this growth potential for aikido. Whilst there are similarities in the training needs there are important differences and it must also be recognised that there is a huge difference between someone starting aikido later in life and someone who may be a similar age but commenced their journey at a younger age.
Through the mind the possible consequences of a bad fall can inhibit the relaxed state and confidence necessary for a good fall. I can still remember looking down at the mat from the height of nage’s back in a koshi nage wondering how I got there and more importantly how I was going to get out of it. Stiffness through a frame that has had years to set into a structure is difficult to reverse into the relaxed state desirable for Aikido. It may never completely relax but that should not be an impediment to enjoying Aikido just another challenge for student and teacher. Joints are not as elastic and the application of katame waza needs to be done with consideration. We can all whack a technique on but that proves nothing. Exhibiting control and reading ukes body does and of course the contra view of uke reading nage is equally important but not always recognised. The recent teachings of Sensei Numata on protecting the body are an example to us all if we want to extend our stay in Aikido.
I have spent many years at the gym, yoga, pilates and other sporting activities which have kept me reasonably fit and flexible but nevertheless compared to those who commenced aikido earlier my body had years to set into its structure which is not easy to change. It is essential to relax if you want to execute Aikido effortlessly and with grace but it is not going to occur over night or be helped by repeated requests to relax. Such requests are more likely to destroy the confidence of the older student than help. For me it was only after such pressure ceased that my body and mind responded naturally and I was able to begin entering and enjoying a state in which my body felt relaxed. All bodies are different and we have to recognise that and not try to force change. The students own wish to advance will develop it naturally. For me it was a journey backwards to release my body from the restrictions built up over years of other activities before I could go forward. It involves letting go your body to the safety of the mat, the fall, trust in nage and your own ability. Once that state is reached mai ukemi can be executed without feeling like a nut rolling from flat to flat and even a high fall can lose its aura. It should be accepted that high falls are not always necessary and a mai ukemi is a perfectly reasonable response and should not be looked upon as inferior. The mind can play tricks and through that the older person probably has a greater fear of the consequences of injury as the body is not as resilient which also emphasises the need for a good warm up prior to training to free the stiff joints and neck. As in any sport this is the students own responsibility. I am sure Aikidoka of all ages have experienced that creaky feeling when doing the first roll of the day.
My comments are not intended as negatives to age participation. With understanding teaching and uke’s you begin to realise that age is not an impediment to enjoying Aikido. I am certainly not suggesting that the older student be given a lesser challenge but simply recognise that there are different paths within the journey and if it seems not as relaxed or flowing there is a reason but it is just another challenge to both teacher and student and part of the journey for those teaching to read the bodies of others. This also applies to uke who should understand the capabilities of the body receiving the energy. Giving energy incorrectly proves nothing except that the technique being practiced is probably not the one nage would use in that situation.
Since taking up Aikido I know my body extensively more than I did before and that is a source of wonder to me. Some of it has come through injuries and finding that the body can be healed without medicines faster and more permanent. This is important to me as my one regret is that I came to Aikido later in life. As time moves forward I see things differently, not just the correct mechanics of a technique but the feel of the body absorbing and sensing the directions of the other body. Writing this Roban has crystallised /corrected ideas/misconceptions in my mind. It has made me look back and recognise where the directional changes occurred and why and hopefully others will gain from my stumblings along the path.
Just remember that the older student has already experienced a lot of life’s journey and is already conditioned by the university of life some of which he/she will have to undo before going forward.
I started this Roban before my grading and am now reading it having completed the grading which is a strange sensation to me. I thank all my teachers, particularly the early morning classes of Sensei Matt Tebbs where my body really started to respond and my fellow Aikidoka who have helped me along the path and take inspiration from Sensei Henry Lynch’s “A” for Aikido in the many techniques in adding my “A” for age to the knowledge of Aikido.
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