Beginners Information
 Our beginner's programs provide an opportunity for anyone interested in Aikido, martial arts or general fitness to experience the exciting world of Aikido in a supportive and fun way. See our dojo calendar for the current schedule.
What People Are Saying...
"Aikido gives men an opportunity to focus on moving from their centers and unlearn the natural reliance on upper body strength"
"Aikido gives women the confidence to realize that superior strength of an opponent does not mean they are undefeatable in conflict"
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A Note for Beginners
from Mary Tesoro, Dojo Cho Martial artists...or so I thought…are born, not made. And I, alas, did not come out of the womb a martial artist. My first experience on the mat certainly proved that belief true or so I thought. My movements were slow, awkward, uncoordinated, and three steps behind every one else's. I was embarrassed, frightened, and angry with my parents for not bringing me into the world a martial artist.
For nearly one year I tried, on and off (mostly off), to train in spite of my "handicap." I apologized to every person I trained with. "I'm so sorry," I would say, "that you are stuck with me as your partner." |
I was too caught up In my own confusion to look around and notice other new students having similar problems. Oh, I knew they were there, but I also knew - or so I thought - that fate had dealt them the same hand it had dealt me. We "unfortunates" could never expect to attain the levels of grace and balance of real martial artists. They are born, not made right?
Eventually, I found more and more excuses not to attend classes. I, who had always done things well (or not at all), could not bear the humiliation of doing something poorly. When 1 stopped training, a part of me stopped growing. It was easy to fill the time training had taken, but it was not so easy to fill the space.
One day I woke up. Oh, it happened little by little over a long period, but the real breakthrough came in a flash. One sentence. So obvious, it made me laugh. "The only difference between you and me," said Sensei (instructor) Steve Davalos, "is experience."
Experience? Aha !…Experience… Purkinje Neurons! His brain has more 'hooked up' Purkinje neurons than mine! Just from practice, from experience, his cerebellum has developed more routes of communication for movement execution than mine. He didn't come out of the womb doing those beautiful throws and ukemi (rolls and falls) with such grace and speed. He was made, not born. He was once a beginner.
In order to learn as a beginner, I had to heed the words of Sensei George Leonard. "Put it up on the mat," he said, "Be willing to be a fool." In other words, I had to put my ego aside, I had to take appropriate risks with my body and my mind.
I still apologize to more highly ranked partners now and then. But as I delight in sharing what little knowledge 1 have with newer students, I now believe my sempai (students ranked above me) get something of value out of sharing theirs with me.
The words of Sensei Danielle Evans come to mind. "It is part of every Aikidoist's training to help other students. Any person who is reluctant to share his/her knowledge, is not really doing Aikido. Then it becomes that person 's problem, not yours."
And so, I see my difficult beginning as more than just wasted time. I see it as a gift. A gift of understanding for new beginners. For beginners are what keep Aikido fresh. Alive.
I am no longer quite so embarrassed to be a beginner. In fact, I hope I never stop being a beginner. For, once I believe that I am an expert, once I am convinced that my mind is full, then I will no longer have room to learn.
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