This month I’d like to discuss the Aikido principle of chudo, which means the middle path. In other words, not too much and not too little. This can be applied to so many areas of our lives, but with summer here what better time to remind ourselves of just a few, like…
- how much time you spend out in the sun.
- how much water you drink each day.
- applying and reapplying sunscreen.
- getting enough exercise as well as sleep each day.
- keeping ourselves clean and healthy by washing our hands frequently.
Chudo can be applied in all these areas. You don’t want to spend too much time out in the sun or you‘ll get burned, but not enough time and you don‘t get the benefits of vitamin D. You need to drink plenty of water every day in order for your body to function properly. Too much, however, and you get bloated. Not enough water and you get dehydrated which can lead to headaches and sluggishness.
These are just a couple of ways to apply the principle of chudo. Take the concept of “not too much and not too little” and apply it to almost anything in your life and it will help you maintain a level of consistency as well as conserve your resources. Chudo can save you from injury as well as destroying things. I once was trying so hard to open a jar of pickles that when it finally gave way the jar flew out of my hands, landed on the floor and broke. Glass, juice and pickles everywhere! Not only did I not get to enjoy any pickles, I had quite a mess to clean up too. At least I didn’t cut myself, but I sure could have with all that glass. What I should have done was ask for help or found another way to safely open the jar or at least opened it over the sink. This is the kind of thing I’m talking about. By thinking back on things (they may have happened long ago or just moments ago) and evaluating whether or not our choice was a good one helps us learn. And if we’re smart, we’ll apply our new knowledge to the next situation.
Watch for opportunities that you can apply chudo and come to class ready to share. I’d like to know what you did and what you thought about as you were doing it and thinking about chudo. Did it help you? In what ways? Looking back on some other things could you have used chudo but didn’t?
These are just some things to think about. I love to hear how you use Aikido in your everyday life and I‘d really love to hear how you apply chudo. Be aware and share what you discover with me.
Remember the middle path and apply chudo whenever you can!
Teresa Mastison Sensei
“There are many paths leading to the top of Mt. Fuji, but there is only one summit – love.” O’Sensei
All martial arts have some basic principles in common like discipline, self-control, and focus. But what I think makes Aikido special is what O’Sensei is saying in the quote above. Aikido is rooted in harmony and that holds us to a higher standard. It gives your training a purpose other than selfdefense for you are striving to become a better person.
I love that while I know I can defend myself physically I can also use my Aikido knowledge to help me deal with other things in life that are a lot more common than a physical attack. Sometimes my “attackers” take the shape of problems and worries that need to be dealt with or tasks that need to be completed. The principles of shugyo or irimi nage help me do just that. Other times I’m “attacked” by words that can cut deep like a sword. Here the principles of ai and dochu no sei help me blend and stay calm. The principle of shodo o seisu helps me avoid trouble in the first place by being aware of what’s going on around me. Reading body language, facial expressions and listening to the tone of voice are all clues as to the state of the situation. If I practice Aikido in my daily life I can utilize these principles and be more harmonious with those around me.
This brings me to a point about the reason we do things for others. When we do things for others because we want something in return or we expect something in like we are missing O’Sensei’s point and that is there is only one summit – love. Do for others because it is the right thing to do or because it would make their load lighter or just because it would make them smile. I believe in karma, but you can’t do good deeds in hopes that you’ll get good deeds done for you. Your heart and intent need to be pure and sincere. To bless others with your service, talents or goods without wanting anything in return is honorable indeed.
I believe this is foundational to our Aikido training. It is an ongoing challenge to do things out of love for your fellow man, but it is what is needed.
May we all strive to achieve harmony in our lives.
Teresa Mastison Sensei
There will be NO CLASSES on Monday, May 31 for the South Chandler dojo as the facility will be closed in observation of Memorial Day.
There will be NO CLASSES in Mesa on Monday, May 31 as the Red Mountain Center will be closed in observation of Memorial Day.
Beginning June 2010, the city of Chandler will no longer offer a family rate for the city fee, instead each person who registers for Aikido will pay an individual city fee. By making this change the city will align all their classes to reflect the same policy across the board. We are the only class that offers a family rate, which has caused some frustration and confusion. In June, when this change happens, you will finally be able to register for Aikido classes online.
This change will increase the amount families pay the city, but the instructor fees will remain the same. When this change goes into effect, each participant registered for class will pay the city fee for an individual – $8, $11, or $13 per person depending on which dojo and class is attended.
As always, we want to make Aikido available to anyone who truly wants to train. If this change creates a problem we ask that you talk to us and we will figure something out. The City of Chandler also has scholarships available.
Congratulations go out to Avichal Jha and his wife, Anu, on the birth of their new baby girl. Mother and daughter are both fine and healthy. We wish Avi and Anu all the best as they begin their new life as parents. The world is lucky to have such loving people to raise this little girl.
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
“As soon as you concern youself with the “good” and “bad” of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter. Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you.”
- O’Sensei, The Art of Peace
Your training in Aikido really is a very personal endeavor. There are a lot of tangible and practical benefits to training, but other benefits are not seen or felt for years. It is only through consistent and diligent training that one will reap the benefits of following the way of Aikido. Aikido can be a way of life if you so choose. O’Sensei believed that through Aikido we can create peace on Earth. This makes me think of what happens when you drop a pebble in water. You see where the pebble was dropped and then you see concentric circles emanating from that point. It’s like when you make someone’s day by being nice to them. They feel better because of what you did and now they will treat others better, which will encourage them to treat others around them better and so on and so on. Imagine if everyone strove to do this. There would be no room for “maliciousness to enter”.
By it’s very nature Aikido forces one to focus on yourself. Not in a greedy, self-centered way, but in a self-improvement kind of way. This is the principle masakatsu agatsu – true victory is victory over yourself. When you concern yourself with your own performance and achievments and not compare them to others you free yourself to making progress that is right for you. When you realize that you can not control anyone but yourself you will stop trying to change those around you. This can be applied on the mat as well as in every day life. Controlling oneself is hard enough at times let alone trying to control others. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but one that is imperative that you do.
On the mat, when you try to force a technique it doesn’t work, but once you refocus on your own movements and quit trying to make it happen the technique flows more easily. This is vital in all aspects of Aikido, whether it’s technique or principle – you have to move and control only yourself.
Good luck in letting go of the urge to try to control others. It’s an ongoing lesson. One with which I hope your Aikido training can help.
Teresa Mastison Sensei
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