I can’t believe it’s been months since I’ve posted anything here. There has been plenty going on, I just haven’t had the time to slow down enough to write much.
I did update my running post, My Aikido Timeline, with some recent and upcoming events. In September, Sensei led us in an Aikido In Focus workshop, Aikido, Fear, and Freedom. It’s hard to put into words the experiential impact of these workshops. This one left me feeling more… I don’t know… Open? Settled? Willing to allow myself to slow down, back off, relax a little, maybe. In October our dojo hosted a seminar with Mary Heiny Sensei, and I got to do a session with her before the seminar also. What a privilege. She is such a gracious and encouraging person, and a great role model.
In between Aikido events other areas of life have been keeping me well occupied.
One of our two donkeys, Clementine, colicked in mid-September. Colic can vary from a mild tummy ache to a suddenly painful and deadly problem, depending on the cause. I lost my horse, Sabrina, following surgery for colic a few years ago. Clementine needed a lot of serious help, but came through it OK with a week of intensive vet and nursing care. I’ll be happy never to have to tend another donkey IV, if I can manage that.
At the end of September I went to Las Vegas with my husband, to celebrate his 50th birthday. We saw Cirque du Soliel’s “KA” at the recommendation of friends from the dojo. I highly recommend it. It was flat out amazing. Worth going to Vegas just to see it.
Just before our trip, he was laid off from his job of 22 years. That was a little traumatic, but as is common with these things it’s led to new opportunities, and he’s looking forward to starting an exciting new job at the start of 2012!
Throughout October work has been insanely busy, with a mind-boggling mix of unrelated projects interweaving throughout most days. Aikido has been the crash pad that brings me gently to a halt at the end of each day after running madly in many directions. Going to class, even if it means continuing to work late in the evening afterward, and on weekends, is not optional. I really need it.
For a couple of weeks toward the end of October I had a hip problem (a snagged nerve or tendon, probably) that kept me off the mat a few days, and off my feet at times. Not a terrible problem, but ridiculously painful at times. In the process of getting through that I was introduced to rolfing, for which I am very grateful. Many of the physical problems I’ve experienced over my life have involved fascia, and that’s what rolfing works on. I’m looking forward to doing some ongoing work.
Thankfully, on one of my good days during that episode I was able to take ukemi for a friend testing for 4th kyu. Now we have another new person to play with in the 4th-kyu-and-up classes!
This has been the first “normal” weekend in recent memory! I got to do some gardening, sleep in, and now even do some writing. Next, right after I hit Post: a massage. Bliss.
There’s a lot coming up, too. I’m lucky to be mentoring a few people for exams in December and January. Then the Aikido Bridge Seminar (my 3rd time going) in January. In March Patrick Cassidy Sensei will be returning to teach at our dojo, along with Goldberg Sensei, for an Evolutionary Aikido Seminar. And of course the Aiki Summer Retreat. It’s a ways off, but I’m already looking forward to it.
I hope things can settle down to normal levels now! A couple of very articulate dojo mates have written some great stuff, and have agreed to let me share their writing here, as guest blogger posts, soon. So there’s something to look forward to.
But first, there’s that massage… :-)
