elcome. The purpose of this World Wide Web page is to document ways aikido has made a difference in the lives of those who practice this wonderful art. Aikido Diary aims to give people all over the world an opportunity to share their stories about aikido as a tool for personal growth and protection. Aikido and Loving Protection Very few of the aikidoists I know have ever been attacked. Some have managed to pre-empt an impending assault by following the principles of aikido: non-violent resolution of conflict, blending, claiming you space, stating your case and taking the initiative. In the rare instances where aikidoists have had no choice but to defend themselves against physical assault, the techniques invariably kept them safe and did the job. And their assailants were not seriously injured. I've trained with police officers, sheriff's deputies, Highway Patrol officers and prison guards who are paid for a living to intervene when things get violent. They have no shortage of stories to tell about how a sankyo or shiho-nage got them out of a jam. For me, that's all the validation I need. On the road to self-perfection through co-creative action Aikido is about commitment to the path of self-perfection. It is not a path that is traveled alone. Although no one can get inside our skin, our mind, our feelings, aikido is a mirror of the innermost recesses of our being reflected through co-creative action with others. Many aikido practitioners can attest to a variety of ways the quality of their life has been improved, from being more energetic and productive in their daily lives to overcoming co-dependent or self-destructive behavior, through training. These stories, too, will be part of the entries in Aikido Diary. | |
|
