Eric Smillie wrote of pohoda (\po-ho-da\) in AFAR magazine. It perfectly describes a Saturday coffee and breakfast at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill in St. Paul following the Adult and Kids classes.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Pohoda
"a harmonious state of contentment that manifests itself, for example, when friends get together over a drink to enjoy each other's company and let life's hassles fade away."
Eric Smillie wrote of pohoda (\po-ho-da\) in AFAR magazine. It perfectly describes a Saturday coffee and breakfast at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill in St. Paul following the Adult and Kids classes.
Eric Smillie wrote of pohoda (\po-ho-da\) in AFAR magazine. It perfectly describes a Saturday coffee and breakfast at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill in St. Paul following the Adult and Kids classes.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Autumn Song
One of the beauties of living in the Midwest is the change of seasons. Fall for me is my favorite season of all; you smell the crispness in the air, the leaves changing color and the beautiful sunsets.
Van Morrison wrote "Autumn Song" on the album Hard Nose the Highway
Leaves of brown they fall to the ground
And it's here, over there leaves around
Shut the door, dim the lights and relax
What is more, your desire or the facts
Pitter patter the rain falling down
Little glamor sun coming round
Take a walk when autumn comes to town
Little stroll past the house on the hill
Some more coal on the fire will do well
And in a week or two it'll be Halloween
Set the page and the stage for the scene
Little game the children will play
And as we watch them while time away
Look at me and take my breath away yeah
You'll be smiling eyes beguilding
And the song on the breeze
Will call my name out and your dream
Chestnuts roasting outside as you walk
With your love by your side
The old accordion man plays mellow and bright
And you go home in the crispness of the night
Little later friends will be along
And if you feel like joining the throng
Just might feel like singing Autumn song
Just may feel like singing Autumn song
You'll be smiling
Eyes beguilding
And the song on the breeze
Calls my name out in your dream
Chestnuts roasting outside
As you walk with your love by your side
And the old accordion plays mellow and bright
And you go home in the crispness of the night
Richard R. Powell's book Wabi Sabi Simple: Create Beauty, Value Imperfection, Live Deeply
summarizes the changes and life simply by saying "wabi sabi nurtures all that is authentic in life by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect."
As we progress in our training, we go through changes as well. The first class, the first month, the first year and suddenly it has been 20 years. The annual cycle of executing the techniques during Kan Geiko (Winter Training) and as we cover all of the Kihon Waza techniques, we go through life's cycles.
Van Morrison wrote "Autumn Song" on the album Hard Nose the Highway
Leaves of brown they fall to the ground
And it's here, over there leaves around
Shut the door, dim the lights and relax
What is more, your desire or the facts
Pitter patter the rain falling down
Little glamor sun coming round
Take a walk when autumn comes to town
Little stroll past the house on the hill
Some more coal on the fire will do well
And in a week or two it'll be Halloween
Set the page and the stage for the scene
Little game the children will play
And as we watch them while time away
Look at me and take my breath away yeah
You'll be smiling eyes beguilding
And the song on the breeze
Will call my name out and your dream
Chestnuts roasting outside as you walk
With your love by your side
The old accordion man plays mellow and bright
And you go home in the crispness of the night
Little later friends will be along
And if you feel like joining the throng
Just might feel like singing Autumn song
Just may feel like singing Autumn song
You'll be smiling
Eyes beguilding
And the song on the breeze
Calls my name out in your dream
Chestnuts roasting outside
As you walk with your love by your side
And the old accordion plays mellow and bright
And you go home in the crispness of the night
Richard R. Powell's book Wabi Sabi Simple: Create Beauty, Value Imperfection, Live Deeply
summarizes the changes and life simply by saying "wabi sabi nurtures all that is authentic in life by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect."
As we progress in our training, we go through changes as well. The first class, the first month, the first year and suddenly it has been 20 years. The annual cycle of executing the techniques during Kan Geiko (Winter Training) and as we cover all of the Kihon Waza techniques, we go through life's cycles.
Thoughts/questions to ponder:
Does your training or approach to training change with the seasons? If so, in what ways?
Have your techniques evolved since you started training in Aikido? If so, how and why?
How do you create balance for yourself in your training, studies, home or work?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Foundations
Noted physicist David Bohm said "Individuality is only possible if it unfolds from wholeness."
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marciowelb/show/with/2364375096/
This is a wonderful quote that conceptualizes Aikido, through regular training, your individual personality will emerge.
The training one does in the dojo: physical, mental, social, etc., provides one the ability to interact with others from many walks of life and in the long-term provides one a way to become 'whole.'
By availing oneself to the incredible individuals you cross paths at the dojo, and in daily life, deepens your journey.
What and who are your foundations?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Hakama Pleat: Yuki
A Hakama is a dark skirt-like pant worn by Aikidoka. It is a traditional piece of samurai clothing that is worn over the pants of a dogi.
Historically the Hakama was meant to protect a horseman's legs from brush, similar to a cowboy's leather 'chaps.' Horse-bound samurai continued to wear the Hakama as it was distinctive and set them apart from the common foot-soldiers.
There are often seven pleats identified in the Hakama and have been given symbolic meaning, often identified as:
I read an article in today's edition of USA Today titled "Football hero replays tackle of armed girl." It described an incident where a young man displayed the true Samurai value of Yuki when he put his own safety at risk when he tried to calm an agitated young girl waving a gun on a bus and then tackled her and took away the gun before anyone was injured.
Having the wherewithal to remain calm under such duress, showing concern for others and finding a way to resolve a serious situation reminds you that there are wonderful and caring young individuals in the world!
Historically the Hakama was meant to protect a horseman's legs from brush, similar to a cowboy's leather 'chaps.' Horse-bound samurai continued to wear the Hakama as it was distinctive and set them apart from the common foot-soldiers.
There are often seven pleats identified in the Hakama and have been given symbolic meaning, often identified as:
Yuki - courage, valor, bravery
Jin - humanity, charity, benevolence
Gi - justice, righteousness, integrity
Rei - etiquette, courtesy, civility
Makoto - sincerity, honesty, reality
Chugi - loyalty, fidelity, devotion
Meiyo - honor, reputation, dignity
I read an article in today's edition of USA Today titled "Football hero replays tackle of armed girl." It described an incident where a young man displayed the true Samurai value of Yuki when he put his own safety at risk when he tried to calm an agitated young girl waving a gun on a bus and then tackled her and took away the gun before anyone was injured.
Having the wherewithal to remain calm under such duress, showing concern for others and finding a way to resolve a serious situation reminds you that there are wonderful and caring young individuals in the world!
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