Aikido Seminars

In the Dojo Volume 2 Issue 1

By Josh Paul Sensei, AOSB head instructor

There are many pitfalls along the path of aikido. Perhaps none are quite so treacherous as that of complacency. When practicing in the same place, with the same people, at the same time of day, day upon day and year upon year, it is easy to grow too comfortable. Over time, we learn the nuances of the space, unconsciously avoiding where the mats do not fit squarely together. We know all the teachers' jokes, and zone out, wishing they would write some new material. We know who has a bad wrist, a weak knee, or a wicked nikkyo pin. Consequently, instead of practicing mindfully and with attention to the details of our technique, we practice by rote, going through the motions, running the risk of convincing ourselves our aikido works when it does not.