Why do I practice Aikido? - by Howard Weld
Question: Why do I practice Aikido?
Short answer: Because I believe that regular physical activity is an important contributor to my physical and mental health, because I find the practices challenging, because the requisite regular commitment of time suits my own laziness in regard to physical activity and because Aikido was suggested to me at a time of crisis by someone that I respected.
Long answer: In approximately 1976, while an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, I naively remarked that "I didn't spend eight years studying in three universities to wind up going out and sweating like a common labourer!". This foolish comment would come back to haunt me.
I moved to Ottawa in 1977 and took over an existing dental practice. Over time, the office became busier, I married and had a child, I gave of my time as a staff dentist at the Elizabeth Bruyere Health Centre and also as a consultant to the multidisciplinary Haemophilia Clinic at the Ottawa General Hospital. My life was "full", both too busy and unbalanced. Eventually, things crashed and I was forced to the realization that I had to make changes in my life.
As a classic "95 pound weakling", sports and physical activity were unpleasant and to be avoided. I walked and bicycled, but nothing involving other people where my physical awkwardness would be apparent. At a time of crisis, having finally realized that I needed to find some sort of physical outlet to deal with my stress, I approached Mr. Patrick Auge. He and his wife, Mrs. Kaoru Sugiyama, had been patients in my office for a number of years and I was impressed by their knowledge, sincerity and commitment to physical activity.
Auge Sensei suggested that I try Aikido. I had no knowledge of what Aikido was, how it was taught and how it was practiced. My hands being crucial to my profession, he assured me that the risk of injury was low and so I began. Very awkwardly. The transition from clinical dental practice, where I look at the world through surgical telescopes, measure success at the 100 micron level and where my bodily movements are often in the range of millimeters at a time, to the large body movements of the dojo has never been easy or comfortable.
With time, I felt a difference in my health. Stress did not disappear, the demands on my time did not go away. But I felt that I could better meet these challenges as a result of being physically active.
The requirement of attending practice at least twice a week, overcame my natural avoidance of physical activity. Progress was painfully slow, but having been in crisis, I persevered. I had no goal other than trying to survive. The philosophy of "mutual welfare and prosperity" encouraged me and the lack of pressure to advance at a rate beyond my limited abilities motivated me.
Why do I practice Aikido? The one constant in life is change. Change can be evolutionary, in which case we adapt, or be revolutionary, in which case we start over again. I recognize that if I were to stop practicing, I would be forced to replace Aikido with something at least as challenging. I prefer evolution to revolution.
- - -