This month I’d like you to consider how Aikido affects your daily life. It’s pretty obvious that you are doing Aikido when you are on the mat training. But, are there other times you use Aikido? Do you see other people using Aikido? What about the principles of Aikido? Your challenge this month is to watch for any evidence of you or anyone else doing Aikido. It can be actual techniques or it can be a demonstration of an Aikido principle.

There is so much more to Aikido than techniques. It can be fun and interesting to consciously look for Aikido outside the dojo. Here are some examples of Aikido happening outside the dojo:

• You are watching football and a player drops at the feet of another player to trip him. This is like the technique Tai Otoshi (drop like a rock and the other person tumbles over the top of you).
• You’re at recess playing soccer and you trip and begin falling. You turn your fall into a tumble and roll right over your shoulder. This is practicing ukemi.
• You have a dentist appointment and even though you are scared you swallow your fear and you go without complaining. This demonstrates the principle of irimi nage (enter without fear).

Following is a list of some of the most popular Aikido principles that you may be able to realize you or others use:

• Shodo o seisu means to control the first move. This means to always be ready to act.
• Dochu no sei means calmness in action. How do people demonstrate being calm during stressful times?
• Aikido means the way of blending with energy. What are some ways people blend with what’s happening around them?
• Irimi nage means to enter without fear. Take control and just do it.

There are so many examples of Aikido outside the dojo, but you have to get used to looking for and seeing them. For the month of May I will be asking you to report on your findings. Let’s see how many different ways Aikido can be used in our daily lives. Good luck in your search. I can’t wait to hear what you discover.

Teresa Mastison Sensei