Getting out of the way is fundamental to the effectiveness of Aikido techniques. Also called blending , getting out of the way either avoids the problem altogether or gets the motion started that’s needed to redirect the attacker’s energy. Getting out of the way by physically moving is the easy part, to avoid the problem altogether can be a lot trickier and takes much more practice.
Sometimes you can’t avoid a physical confrontation. There are times when things happen that are beyond your control. But, if you pay attention and are aware of what’s going on around you there may be opportunities presented that will allow you to disfuse a potential problem. For example, if you pay attention to a person’s body language and listen to their tone of voice you can get clues as to their mood. Also, by listening to what a person is actually saying (really listen as opposed to just hearing them) you can pick up on a general feeling they may be experiencing. And, if you think before you speak or act you may be able to redirect a conversation away from a possible physical confrontation.
This nonphysical stuff is much harder to do than techniques. It requires real effort on your part to take in all the information you gather from the other person and then decide what to do with it. The thing that makes it really hard is the emotions that are involved. Either you or the other person are angry, frustrated, sad, anxious, scared and that makes it hard to think straight. You just want to react. This is when ki breathing comes in handy. By practicing deep controlled breathing on a regular basis you can create a habit that may help you in time of need like when you are emotionally stressed.
Teresa Mastison Sensei
I just want to express my sincerest gratitude to all the students who participated in the Mesa demonstration on Fri., Mar. 30. We had over 50 participants and over 75 spectators. It was an awesome display of Aikido. We had students from all three of our dojos demonstrating a wide variety of techniques and skill levels ranging from basic open hand techniques to kick and ground defenses, weapons work and randori. It was exciting to see all the hard work the students put into their preparation pay off. I am so proud of them all and to be the chief instructor of such a dedicated and committed group of people. Thank you.
A huge thank you also goes out to all the parents of the children. Without you their involvement would not have happened and I am so thankful. Thank you for caring and showing your support by encouraging them and bringing them to class consistently. I was so proud of them for getting up in front of all those people and I could see they were proud too. What a wonderful experience for them and thank you for allowing them to be a part of it.
We totally forgot to take a group picture, but here are a few pictures that I hope will give you an idea of how the evening looked. You can view all the available pictures on Aikido of Phoenix’s Facebook page or you can copy and paste the following links to access pictures taken by Chandler student Nick Shiopu. Nick has a camera that takes multiple focal plane pictures. Check out the links below to see them and you can play with the focus of foreground vs. background. If you have any pictures that you would like to share please send them my way. Thank you.
The following links will show you some more pictures.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Thanks again for making Aikido of Phoenix look so good!
Teresa Mastison Sensei
On Friday, March 30 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at the Mesa dojo (7550 W. Adobe Rd.) we will be presenting an Aikido demonstration to help promote and highlight the Mesa dojo’s classes. All students of AoP are invited and are welcome to participate in the demonstration. Each of our locations (Chandler, S. Chandler, Mesa) will be helping us show what Aikido is and how fun it can be for kids as well as adults. Let your Sensei know if you plan on participating. Information sheets are at each dojo.
Recently I had two separate students share with me situations where they had to use their Aikido skills at school. One, a 5 year old, used a simple wrist escape to get out of the unwanted grab of another student. The other, a high school student, used kotegaeshi to deal with a punch to his stomach. Both sitations were resolved quickly and without incident. Both students came away from those incidents empowered
and proud as was I when they shared with me their stories.
My hope in teaching kids Aikido is that they never have to use the skills we practice; but through hard work, consistent training and thinking about what they learn they can give themselves an edge and, if necessary, be able to react effectively to an aggressor. You may remember the phrase “practice makes permanent” from a previous article. This is especially true if you train on a regular basis. You and your body get used to moving and reacting in certain ways and will naturally react in that way when the need arises. Remind yourselves of this when you are on the mat practicing.
I want you to talk with your parents about why you are taking Aikido. What do they want you to do if you’re bullied? Knowing what your parents think and what they want you to do will make it easier for you if the situation ever arises. Also discuss the expectations and rules of the school you attend. They may differ from what you and your parents believe. It’s important for you to know what your parents expect and that you have their support if there is ever a time when you feel threatened and need to defend yourself.
Be sincere in your training, have fun, and let’s hope you never have to use it.
Teresa Mastison Sensei
I would like to personally invite each of you to a special seminar with Fred Mastison Sensei, kancho (head of school) and founder of Aikido of Phoenix. After 21 years of teaching Aikido Mastison Sensei retired from teaching full time in 2009 and now teaches seminars by special request. We are fortunate to have this opportunity to train with him.
For those of you who have trained under Mastison Sensei you may remember his dynamic style and exceptional insights into the how and why techniques work. His knowledge and skill are exceptional and they help you understand Aikido in a way you may not have considered. It is always an enlightening experience to train with him and I urge you to attend this special event.
I know some of you have attended seminars recently and have gotten a lot out of those experiences. Seminars are a wonderful way to expand your knowledge base as well as your understanding of Aikido. Here’s a special chance to train with the person who founded Aikido of Phoenix and provided your instructors (John Sensei, Lucy Sensei, and myself) with guidance and example. We each were trained by him and although we continue to learn our foundation comes from his teachings. Now’s your chance to get a little bit of that yourself.
Teresa Mastison Sensei
Aikido of Phoenix Seminar
with
Fred Mastison Sensei
Saturday, May 5, 2012 9:00 a..m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 6, 2011 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
939 S. 48th St. Suite 208, Tempe, Arizona
The first weekend in May offers you a wonderful opportunity to train with the founder of Aikido of Phoenix, Fred Mastison Sensei, 5th Dan. Don’t miss out! Training will be from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm each day. The cost is $50 for both days and $30 for one day.
The seminar will be held at 939 S. 48th St. Suite 208 in Tempe. We will break for lunch and you are welcome to bring your own lunch or go out to the nearby eateries. There are restrooms available, but bring your own water. Saturday will be open hand techniques, but Sunday’s class will be bokken work so bring your bokken if you have one (bokkens will be available to use if you don’t have one). If you have a hakkama you may wear it on Sunday for the kenjitsu class as it is part of the traditional kenjitsu uniform.
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For more information, visit the Events page for the seminar.
“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”
I would like to challenge each of you to be “determined to learn” and put forth the energy necessary to learn whatever it is you’re learning at the moment. This is tough because the things you have to learn , let’s say, in school aren’t always that interesting. But here’s the thing to remember: “practice makes permanent” (remember that from last month‘s article?). When you are determined to do something your brain figures out a way to make it happen. If you do that with everything you try (even the things not so interesting) you begin to create a habit. It’s just something your brain gets used to doing and so you do it all the time. This will inevitably lead to success.
You can think of your efforts to learn as opportunities to create lifelong skills (kind of like practicing for a sport or music) and this may help you plow through the less interesting tasks or the more difficult endeavors. So when you have a particularly ridiculous assignment or one that is really hard tell yourself that you’re building skills that will help you for the rest of your life. It may not make the task easier but maybe it’ll give it more purpose.
Teresa Mastison Sensei
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