Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Back into the groove

Ki is all about blending in to your environment, your opponent, nature. It is about the ability to go with the flow and roll with the punches. Ki is cultivated; if you leave it be too long, it withers like a plant. I have been having this issue.

To do aiki, or school? That is the ultimate problem. I can't keep going to school and missing class for four weeks at a time. I can't go home every week to go to class and not study. Ki, where are you?

Sunday, December 23, 2007

An unfinished haiku...


Life has a funny way of putting things into perspective. For me, my difficulties in school and annoyances at martial arts classes have been dwarfed by the things my doppleganger is going through. It is times of uncertainty that remind us to always put our best foot forward and enjoy the moment. Enough of that.

So this week is all about getting back into rhythym. It is a nice change not to have to prepare anyone for any test in any class, though with the number of Brownies, this will quickly change. Basics- I love basics!- are back at the forefront. Someone ought to tell brownies they can't do splits first thing. It's bad for your muscles. Poor Tank tore his hamstring and is suffering quite a bit. The kiddies have been running class and that's fine with me as long as I get to work kata. I finally finished empi, and for as repetitive as it is, it is the bitch everyone says it is. There's a tai otoshi followed by a jump. Stupid little kids like it. They don't have ankles that roll.

It's Christmas again, and this year I didn't have time to get everyone presents so I bought a couple of items for the greater good. I bought an aiki book (in Japanese) for Head Sensei and a map of Japan for the kids to look at. Head Sensei is going to frame it and hang it up. That should attract Skittles and Wheezy kid for about 80% of class. Verizon Guy came home to visit while I was away at school (boo!), but says hi. Aw.

Today was my first three hour class in a long, long time. I needed it. I went through tachi-ai in ikkajo with the squirts (god dammit, why do I get stuck with them???). Short Sensei was there, and Sarge- they were breaking in the newest guy, which I honestly don't see staying.

Other than that, not much of note. Goth kid got his karate yellow belt. Frankenstein is a brownie now. Lazy girl is still a waste of space. Some things never change.