renoaikido

Aikido at Work

2010-06-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Vince Sensei recently asked about where Aikido principles may apply to my work, molecular genetics. At first I had no ready answer, so, I paid closer attention to my activities and soon saw that several of the lessons we learn at the dojo are in action during my workday.

1. Be in the moment. Whenever I set up a reaction, cast an agarose gel, or extract DNA from a plant sample, being in the moment helps me work smoothly and reduces the chance of a misstep that could ruin an entire process.

2. Take your time. Every process in the lab takes time, something I have learned to live with. Those rare times I have made mistakes (haha) were most often the result of being in a hurry. Come to think of it, being in a hurry is itself not being fully in the moment.

3. Develop good posture. In the lab and at the computer it is easy to develop back pain if your posture isn’t good. I can vouch for that.

4. Blend. This is a very important principle for the publishing end of my job. Before any of my work is accepted it must first pass peer review. Typically an assistant editor and two or three reviewers rigorously dissect my paper and provide numerous criticisms and suggestions for improvement. Peer review is not adversarial at heart but conflicts of opinion or style can arise. Blending comes into play where I must connect with their positions and intents. By carefully listening to what they are saying I can often find the angle I need to take to resolve conflicts and bring us all to a position of agreement.

5. Be aware. Even though I basically run a one-person lab, others work in my unit and in the building it occupies. Awareness of people and activities around oneself and a readiness to respond to change or need fosters a greater sense of community (connectedness) and positive relations.

6. Be centered. In the lab, being centered can involve having what you need at hand, providing for economy of motion and reduction of distractions such as looking for a missing reagent.

Are there more instances of “Aiki” in my workplace? It is likely there are, waiting for my further development to make them apparent.

Michael C. Ashley, Ph.D.

Reigi

2010-03-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

Sensei recently reminded us of the importance of Reigi in the practice of Aikido. I am a beginner in Aikido and what is said here must be considered in that light. The literal definition of Reigi indicates manners, courtesy, etiquette. Sensei has told us that Morihiro Saito Sensei, on the subject of Reigi, said that one should be observant of what is correct behavior in a particular setting and that this awareness prevents unnecessary conflict from starting. Someone not familiar with Aikido might then say that the idea of Reigi seems to be a kind of “keep your head down” approach that avoids conflict. That is not what Reigi is about. Instead, correct behavior in a particular setting is a sign of good training leading to the strength and confidence to be humble and appreciative of others. This is not always easy for us because our popular culture emphasizes the elevation of ego over all else. To practice Reigi is to show respect for others and respect for ourselves. It is part of our experience as Aikido students to absorb the etiquette of the dojo. This is a fundamental aspect of the sempai-kohai relationship; it is part of the practice of Aikido.

This does not require, necessarily, learning a set of esoteric rules. It can be the simple exercise of good manners. As Sensei has pointed out, when you have good manners, people don’t mind being around you. Maybe a way we can apply this is to give more attention to Sensei and training partners than to our own needs, ideas and opinions. This means that we listen when we are receiving instruction, express gratitude for what has been shared with us and do our best to apply what we have learned. As a trial lawyer, I am familiar with the idea of etiquette appropriate to the situation. The application of Reigi in my practice has helped me to be a better lawyer. Despite unfavorable stereotypes, good trial lawyers understand the importance of showing sincere respect for the judge, fellow attorneys, parties and all who are involved in the court system. When that respect is absent, or breaks down, disharmony arises, and to use Saito Sensei’s phrase, unnecessary conflict occurs. It is this fundamental disharmony which causes some people to feel, regardless of the outcome of a case, that the system has been emotionally destructive. Properly understood, etiquette provides the structure within which we all interact with each other. The bad conduct of some lawyers are a symptom of the general loss of civility in our society. There is an opportunity to change that with each interaction we have both inside the Aikido dojo and outside in our daily lives. As said by Mahatma Gandhi: “We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.”
Submitted by Ed Lemons // 13 March 2010

Self Defense

2009-10-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

One of our members had this to say about a self defense seminar held at the dojo:

The seminar connected training to being attacked; that's useful. The scenarios jolted people to some degree, and we had to act while we were in that "jolted" state. That's useful too. I can't say how the training would affect me if I were actually "woofed on" and attacked, but I'm really glad I took the class. I think it's necessary to focus training at times on the possibility of nasty people confronting and attacking us. In a perfect world we could relax and dance all the time. So, it was a good experience for me. So is regular, positive training with my friends. Our typical classes seem even more valuable now after Peyton's instruction. I look forward to those classes with a fresh enthusiasm.

Joe Calabrese

A Famous Photograph of O Sensei

2009-07-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

An old man walking, aware

this moment is being

preserved,

watering with a practiced hand

green, green plants in black & white

with grace and harmony.

Another image: at night, at war,

far, far away, after Curtis LeMay’s

incendiaries turn the dojo roof

to yellow flame. It falls to the

old man’s son, Kisshomaru, to

water with efficient desperation.

No photographer, no green,

green plants. Alone, on a roof, watering

to preserve an old man’s dream.

[Based on a picture of O Sensei watering plants in Iwama found in Invincible Warrior, page 158, by John Stevens (Shambhala Publications, Inc. 1997)

My favorite picture of the Founder. He is wholly centered in his posture, even in the simple act of watering flowers. This is O Sensei at peace in Iwama, but still very much aware of his surroundings, including the photographer. The reference to his son, Kisshomaru, fighting flames that threatened to engulf the Tokyo dojo, is from the same book, pages 67-68.]

Aikido To Me

2009-07-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

I've been practicing Aikido for about three years now. Maybe it's not a long time, but it's enough time to turn my life around. In the past, I was searching for a way to balance my inner-self, and to find harmony between my body and mind. I was already practicing yoga, meditation, and kung-fu when I became more aware of my health, my energy level, and how it connected with my emotional state. Aikido taught me how to fully be in my body, and to expand my awareness and learning of being here and now. It was not an easy task, but it's the best way for me to connect intuition and inner wisdom.

During training, I learned how to rise above my physical conditions, how to tolerate pain and quiet my mind, how to become more focused and have fun with it. Pain became my best ally, because it showed me where I needed to change, emotionally and physically. I learned to take full responsibility for my health, to find the right knowledge, and then became my best doctor. I'm 51, and I have found my way to feel young, healthy, powerful, and to freely flow with my life.

Guly Erwin

2^nd Kyu

Haiku

2009-07-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

"Genesis"  

Verticality

When added to a circle 

A spiral is born   

*************************   

"Portrait"   

White, O-Sensei's beard 

Broad, his smile, watching practice 

Eternal, his chi   

*************************   

"Kokyunage"   

Blending with circle 

Spiral up, balance taken 

Breath spiraling down     

Michael Ashley

“Trust the process…”

2009-07-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

This is something that was explained to me in other classes that I have taken, but it also applies to Aikido.

In Aikido it is stressed that we leave our worries and concerns about the outside world outside and concentrate on what we are learning and doing while we are in the class. Unlike activities such as running and yoga, where you can find yourself wandering back to your life’s stresses and worries, Aikido is an activity that can make it very easy to put all of that out of your mind while you are training. This practice has helped me to come back to work or home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. My husband also practices Aikido and we both have seen positive impacts on our relationship.

It is also stressed in Aikido to focus on your physical self – your breathing, your posture, your movements – so that you can feel balanced and grounded and you can get in touch with the power that is within you. I believe that this aspect will help me as I age (I am now 52) to keep good flexibility and balance, and will help maintain healthy bone density and muscle tone.

By going through the process of learning the movements and philosophy of Aikido, I believe that my life has been enriched mentally and physically, in addition to the friendships that have resulted from being around others who are caring and treat each other with respect, and who also “trust the process…”

Laura Klaich

Interview

2009-06-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

The Gallagher family is leaving Reno for new adventures. It has been great training with and getting to know the whole family, parents Jamieson and Rachael, and children Kathrin, age 17, Caroline, age 15, and Regan, age 9. We will miss all of you. Best wishes!

What do you like best about Aikido?

Kathrin: I really like the people that Aikido brings in. Whether someone has been training for 2 years or 2 days, Aikido helps to bring out the best in someone. Training seems to add a shine or radiance to people. It gives them a sense of self-confidence and helps them be who they are.

How has training in Aikido affected your life?

Kathrin: I feel that Aikido has helped me to come out of my shell. When I first started training I wouldn't talk unless necessary and wouldn't look anyone in the eye. I was pretty shy. But Aikido gave me confidence in myself. When I finally realized this it made me feel strong and really good about myself. So the next time I went and trained I had this wacky grin on my face and was shouting as loud as I could. Now, no matter where I am, I can look a complete stranger in the face and talk to them. I'm no longer afraid to let people see me as myself.

What will you miss most about Aikido of Reno?

Kathrin: Again, I have to say the people. I have never had so many friends before in my life. There are so many amazing people at the Reno Dojo. For me, the dojo is like a family. It feels like I have so many Aunts and Uncles, Brothers and Sisters to support me. I love having so many wonderful people in my life and will miss them all very much.

Rachael: I have driven my kids to everything from dance class, soccer, bowling league, trombone lessons - just to name a few. But Aikido is the one activity that has held their interest year after year. I know that aikido has made them more self confident, more able to calmly handle stressful situations, and more respectful and tolerant of others. I have seen first hand how they use the principles of aikido in everyday life, and I am so very proud of my kids!

When we came to Reno, we were going to be here for 11 months. That was over 2 years ago! Jamieson's company just kept extending us, and we all considered it a blessing. The people of this dojo welcomed us like family, and we've celebrated Christmas and Hanukah with you, had Japanese lessons around the kitchen table, sleepovers, cook-outs, and fly fishing in the backyard. Reno has become our home, and we will miss it. But life is continual change, and so we change with it. For now we leave Nevada, but next year....who knows?

Best wishes to everyone at Aikido of Reno!

Book Review of George Leonard's Mastery

2009-06-30T21:23:00.000-07:00

In his book Mastery, George Leonard applies his years of training in Aikido to the process of any role in life. One of the main points of this book is that when people engage in a process, they will spend much of their time on a plateau. In the modern world, success is often rated on moments of achievement or gain. However, the master is one who enjoys the process and does not attach to outcomes.

George Leonard gives many examples of ways to apply the concept of mastery to your life, including loving the basics in Aikido. As they say, practice makes perfect! This is a quick read and well worth it.

- Reviewed by Aric Shapiro

Reno Gazette Journal Article by Frank X. Mullen Jr.

2009-06-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

Sensei reaches high rank in Japanese martial art

Vince Salvatore of Reno recently reached the sixth-degree black belt rank in the Japanese martial art of aikido, an honor that took decades of learning and teaching. But that doesn't mean he's a master of anything, he said. “There are no masters; you never master it,” said Salvatore, 45, owner of Aikido of Reno. “You can only try to get better with continual practice.” Salvatore apparently is the first Nevadan to reach sixth-degree rank in aikido, which means “way of spiritual harmony” in Japanese. The art was developed in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba, known as “O Sensei” (Honored Teacher) to generations of students. Ueshiba was a martial arts instructor who lived through World War II and sought a system to resolve physical conflicts without violence. The result was aikido, which makes use of techniques borrowed from jujitsu and other self-defense disciplines. An observer watching an aikido demonstrations sees a teacher's almost efforless reaction in responding to multiple attackers. Bodies fly, but nobody gets hurt. The person being attacked moves in circular patterns, flowing like water, as attackers are thrown outward. “The main focus is harmony with yourself and with whatever attack comes at you,” Salvatore said. “The idea is to neutralize an attacker, not defeat him or hurt him. It's a true self-defense art, not a sporting contest.” The techniques of aikido rely on using an opponent's own momentum against him, rather than meeting force with opposing force. For instance, a student acting as an attacker may grab a fellow student by the wrist, shoulder or arm. The defender moves with the attack, usually in a circular motion, and the attacker's own force of motion causes him to lose his balance and be guided to the floor.

Honor took him decades of learning to achieve

Salvatore trained in Iwama, Japan, for 11 years under Morihiro Saito Sensei, a direct student of Ueshiba. He came to Reno in 1998 and started his dojo (practice hall) with students from the Reno Aikido cooperative, the forerunner of Aikido of Reno. The dojo is a renovated former warehouse on Wells Avenue now has more than 200 students, ranging in age from children to adults older than 60. “Vince is an excellent teacher,” said Randy Onitsuka, 61, of Reno, a third degree black belt who began training at the aikido co-op in 1996. “We have many (skill) levels of students, and he allows everyone to train at their own level. ….There's something there for everybody.” Salvatore, who also teaches conflict resolution seminars, said aikido is mental as well as physical discipline. “Aikido looks at conflict in a very different manner than something won or lost,” he said. “You have a choice. The result of conflict can be win-win.” He said anger, such as in a road rage incident, is an uncontrolled reaction. Anger makes people lose their emotional centers and often results in physical confrontations, he said. “In aikido and in conflict resolution, being centered and in control of your emotions is key,” he said. “That state of calm takes practice, … Aikido is the physical manifestation of conflict resolution.” Being able to control and neutralize verbal and emotional confrontations is something aikido students strive for, he said. “In World War II, O Sensei saw the destruction of Hiroshima and Nakasaki and knew if we all can't get along as people, we may face the destruction of the human race,” Salvatore said. “In aikido, we strive to find creative solutions to conflict that are win-win solutions.”

Aikido of Reno Blog

2009-05-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

Coming soon we will be posting various stories about Aikido in Reno to excite you, educate you, and most of all share with you our expression of Aikido!