Dojo Lingo - by Norman Dimock

The graphic above is a collection of words that occur repeatedly on our dojo website. The bigger words are those that occur more often. The following is a personal take on the special associations of the major ones. 

Aikido has among its meanings The Way of Spirits Meeting. That is what we want to practice, on the mat and off. It means interacting with sensitivity, spontaneity and compassion.

Practice (through much repetition) is mindful work to improve our performance, understanding and enjoyment of our arts.

‘Art' emphasizes the personal nature of our endeavour. The excellence of what each person does, only that person can fully appreciate.

Learn … The practice of Art is for learning. Learning is for growing.

Technique (tools to work with) is what we learn first. It is what we see on the surface. Once we know something of how, we ask ourselves why, and our discoveries improve our technique.

Martial means military. Martial arts inherit their urgency from their roots in War, which is the epitome of Conflict to be overcome.

Way is Path – the Do in AikiDo, JuDo, … When we spend our time in self-discovery, we have happiness along the way. We do well to choose our way on impulse of delight.

Physical interaction is the dominant aspect of martial arts. Whatever concepts of conflict resolution we may have, we test with experimentation on the mat.

Mind is where experience happens. Mindless activity is superficial and does not benefit us deeply or lastingly.

Training is for surpassing our limiting preconceptions.

Tai Chi is practice at integrating mind with body. Conceived movements are executed in concert with natural breathing and body mechanics, so our movements become natural and relaxed.

Dojo means Place of the Way. Our dojo is maintained and kept clean and tidy by the students. After the last training session of each day we wipe the mats with damp cloths. The front wall is called the Shomen. On it are displayed a Chinese character for Tao and a portrait of late Master Minoru Mochizuki. The dojo is more than the physical facility. In a larger sense it is the teacher/student community. 

Students range from children to seniors who have been practicing aikido for over 30 years. Students and teachers are co-dependent. We help one another to maintain and improve the path we have chosen.

Breathing is either conscious and controlled, or unconscious and spontaneous. Aikido and Tai Chi train us to breathe in harmony with our motion.

Sensei means Teacher. To know the quality of a teacher, observe the students, and how he and they behave in their everyday affairs.

Opportunity knocks all the time and it is never too late to open the door. Some people begin to study in childhood. Some with little talent keep going while many with much talent give up.

Myself, I have practiced aikido for over 30 years. Half my life. Patience is a talent too.

“Think during practice” Master Mochizuki instructed. We need to question ourselves and what we are doing. How? Why?

Respect ourselves, one another and those who made this path for us.

Improve the art by improving our art. They evolve together.

Experience is the real teacher. Borrowed knowledge is not understanding.

Mental toughness results from physical training. Rising for 5:30 classes during winter camp is mostly a mental challenge.

Awareness is our key to improvement. Sufficient awareness leads us to best action.

Kangeiko is winter training, a week of 5:30 AM extra aikido classes for those who wish. Some students spend those nights on the mats. It is a challenge for body and mind.

Change is constant. If we can change our understanding, then we can evolve. Otherwise we will be unable to relate.

 

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