Unexpected
(Extracted from Aikido-L)
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 09:06:02 -0800
From: Janet Rosen
Subject: Unexpected (was Re: Netiquette and Aikido
Dave Liebreich wrote:
> obAikido: Has there ever been an aikido technique (or kata) that has brought
> something unexpected out of you?
hmmm....first time I did tantotori. I was the only person to show up for a class
so my sempai decided we'd do a short class and have some fun. Little did he --
or I -- know that the sight of the tanto in his hand would bring out my inner
(Brooklyn) child. Took down his tsuki with a kotegaishe. Never before was my
irimi so decisive, my balance-taking to direct, my pin so fast. Never saw a look
on uke's face like that either!!!! When he got up we started laughing our asses
off. I did not sustain it in switching back to empty hand training.
Doing weapons kata brought another unexpected something, discovering that I
enjoy finding and surrendering to the implicit rhythm of the kata.
janet
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Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 13:20:26 EST
From: Jon C Strauss
Subject: Unexpected (was Re: Netiquette and Aikido
Howdy,
Let's see...something unexpected.
Not really as nage. Sometimes a throw or a pin goes a lot easier than I
expected it (not very exciting).
As uke, I've taken some interesting surprise breakfalls that I didn't know I was
capable of. That has been the most fun/thrilling.
Now that I think about it.... I remember throwing a newbie once who was about to
seriously hurt himself in the roll, and I ended up having to fall with him to
support his body. I know it must have looked terrible and I don't think he
really understood what I had done, even though he thanked me for it. The
"unexpected" part is that I surprised myself by being that compassionate. I
don't think he would have broken anything. I guess I just didn't want him
having to leave the mat and/or giving up on Aikido.
And yes, this was after I had purchased the Hat.
Peace,
Jon C Strauss
RMKS at CSU
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Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 16:15:25 -0500
From: Margo Ballou
Subject: Re: Unexpected (was Re: Netiquette and Aikido
Surprising things that I've found about myself through aikido?
A clinical fascination with joint locks. "Ow! Do that again!" is a phrase I
would not have foreseen myself using.
Also: Sometimes I'm leading an open workout, and I'm the senior student
present, so my own personality comes out, untempered by adjusting itself to any
teacher in the area. I'm surprisingly _martial_. Dave L. tried to tell me
gently that he already knew this, but _I_ thought I was a fuzzy aiki-bunny!
- Margo
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Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 16:50:56 -0500
From: Jake Jacobe
Subject: Re: Unexpected (was Re: Netiquette and Aikido
Margo Ballou wrote:
>Also: Sometimes I'm leading an open workout, and I'm the senior
>student present, so my own personality comes out, untempered by
>adjusting itself to any teacher in the area. I'm surprisingly
>_martial_. Dave L. tried to tell me gently that he already knew
>this, but _I_ thought I was a fuzzy aiki-bunny!
In the early years of my training, one of my sensei was a Quaker. She started
Aikido because she had read that it was a peaceful way to resolve conflict. In
all ways but one, she _was_ a fuzzy aiki-bunny.
But put a bokken in her hands and she turned into Attila the Hun. She would
explain how each specific cut affected one's imaginary opponent, severing this
limb or slashing that artery. She would fly through the weapons kata with
obvious zeal and bloodlust.
It was always an eerie thing to observe.
Jake
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Last updated on 13 Sep 2002