2020 Hindsight — Thoughts at The Solstice
Well, there’s nothing like a deadline. I started several versions of this post over the past few months, but always got sidetracked or overwhelmed by … Read more …
learning
Aikido – It’s a Lot Like… Handwriting?
When I was training for my nidan test (2nd-degree black belt) it seemed like everything I’d learned previously was wrong. I would do what I … Read more …
Sensei – What It Means to Have a Teacher
This is the nineteenth in this series of 26 posts, one for each letter of the alphabet, that I am writing during the Blogging from A to … Read more …
Beginner’s Mind – The Power of the Empty Teacup
This is the second in this series of 26 posts, one for each letter of the alphabet, that I am writing during the Blogging from A to … Read more …
Dear Ueshiba Sensei
[At our dojo we have a tradition of submitting an essay when we test for sho-dan. My exam was today, and here’s what I wrote.] … Read more …
How To Learn to Count Out Loud to 31 in Japanese, Under Pressure, and with Distractions
When I tested for 2nd kyu, almost a year ago now I was required to demonstrate the 31 jo kata. The 31 jo kata is … Read more …
Also, here’s my column on AikiWeb…
In addition to writing here, I am part of a group of women called “The Mirror,” on AikiWeb. We write a column there, taking turns … Read more …
Acceleration. As in rocket sled.
This past month or so has been an amazingly varied, intense, and joyful period of Aikido for me. I’ve had a great time, and learned … Read more …
Abundance
From today’s classes, a bounty:Blends, techniques, feedback, feelings.Let it come to you. Relax. Center.Keep your own alignment and things will work out. Like armfuls of … Read more …
Stop Resisting.
It’s funny how we have to keep learning the same thing over, and over, and over, and over again. An old lesson looks unfamiliar in … Read more …