The last newsletter of 2022! Conventionally, I’m supposed to look back, reflect, meditated, and comment on the year past, and talk philosophically about the year to come. However, in the words of the tired, old engine from the Little Engine That Could, “I cannot. I cannot. I cannot.” I’d much rather think about the Little Engine herself saying, “I think I can, I think I can.”
Day by day, rank by rank, AOSB is recovering from the pandemic. Recovery took–and is still taking–a great deal of effort and investment. Although the government has declared the pandemic over, the ambient fear, worry, and anxiety continues to linger. Moreover, the dojo received no financial aid from the city, state, or federal government.
In keeping with our spirit of independence and self reliance, we’re planning more aikido workshops, activities, and special events to further strengthen our recovery. And we’re adding more music! Our next special event is a concert with the world renowned Artemis Guitar Duo. By purchasing tickets, you’re supporting the dojo and live classical music in NYC!
Complete relaxation is one of aikido’s four basic principles. Teachers frequently tell students, and students frequently tell themselves, to relax. But what does that mean and how is relaxation achieved? Isn’t pursuing relaxation–making it a goal, something to do and to achieve–anathema to relaxation in the first place? Is it physical? Mental? Should we try to suppress or ignore physical or mental stressors? Reading this, are you starting to stress about relaxing?
If only there was a single, knowable secret to aikido. A piece of knowledge so vast and comprehensive that it made the possessor an invincible warrior and all-knowing sage. A secret that obviated the need for practice, perseverance, dedication, and time. A knowledge about the human mind and body so profound that it transcends time and space and those in the know would exist in the rarified air of ancient philosophers. Is there? Find out here!
Aikido is a year-round pursuit. Training is not seasonal like baseball or skiing. However, dojo life tends to ebb and flow in accordance with school and vacation calendars. Summer affords some extra free time to recuperate, plan, and set up new things. That said, this issue of Inryoku is devoted to delivering some exciting, practical news about September at the dojo.
It’s been entirely too hot to write a newsletter. By mid-July temperatures were in the mid-to-upper 90s with humidity to match. The dojo’s new 14,000 BTU air conditioner made it only marginally less oppressive. I wanted to move as little as possible; to sweat as little as possible. So, instead of a newsletter, I offer you a short but cooling video montage of some of our favorite photos from 2022 thus far.
Going to the dojo frequently and repeatedly is not easy. The stories we tell ourselves about who we are, how we feel, and what we need to get there are persuasive. The adage that 90% is showing up is hardly flippancy. Showing up is a challenge, and learning to overcome that huge obstacle is in many ways the first step along the path.
May is National Meditation Month. In celebration, we’ve reissued the January 2021 issue of our newsletter about the relationships among aikido, meditation, and mindfulness. As we’ve discussed in recents issues of Inryoku, people are drawn to aikido for many reasons, and continue it for many others. The meditative aspects of practice — of engaging in a repetitive form that emphasizes a mindful exchange with a partner — is an important and often overlooked reason. It is also among the most practical aspects of aikido, routinely applicable to daily life.
