Aikido at Gordon Head Elementary

"Gordon Head Elementary School is the first elementary school in Victoria, Canada, to offer Aikido." Mr. Brent Kelly, Principal of Gordon Head Elementary proudly announced this to his Grade 4 and 5 students as they gathered for their first Aikido class on Monday, 1st March.

Aikido discipline is unfamiliar to these 9 and 10 year olds, who are still getting used to bowing and observing silence during classes. But after almost a month, the 40 students are still thrilled and enthusiastic about the Monday lunchtime Aikido classes. Classes still focus on posture, etiquette, shikko (knee walking), ushiro ukemi (backward breakfalls), maai ukemi (forward rolls) and the first phases of irimi-nage (entering throw) and ikkyo (first lock).

Appreciation and thanks go to the teachers and staff of Gordon Head Elementary; and especially to Principal, Mr Brent Kelly, who has been very supportive and encouraging.

Warmest thanks to Mr Ray Rogers and Ms Susan Reid, Principal and Vice-Principal of Royal Oak Middle School who have been most encouraging and helpful.

Chang Shihan, my Sensei, often referred to the importance of sincerity when practising Aikido. It was the basis on which Chang Shihan built our Aikido experience in his Dojos. He often reminded us to have a sincere heart when coming to the Dojo, and to "attack" sincerely during practice so that "nage" received the appropriate experience of the approaching force and the subsequent response through applying a technique to neutralise it. The question of "sincerity" in training is a question of attitude and intention. The harmonising of the elements of mind, body and spirit is manifested and embodied in the movements and techniques of Aikido. Movement and technique in and of itself are just movement and technique. Intention and desire take technique execution beyond its physical application. It is the difference between maiming an attacker or not. Intent influences choices and responses.

And so if a student's initial intent was just to learn Aikido techniques to be a "good fighter" without the philosophy and code of conduct, then the student will not reap the full benefit of living and experiencing Aiki in action. Practising in this manner is, in itself, not aligning with the fundamental essence of the art: harmony.

Intention, desire and ability influence the decision to take one course of action over another. When the three are in harmony, the alignment ignites the ability and confidence to achieve objectives with relative ease. The alignment of intention, desire and ability creates peace of mind that enables long term commitment and dedication to persevere on a chosen endeavour no matter how challenging.

In life when intent, desire and ability are aligned, the journey towards achieving an objective resonates with a "knowing" that success is inevitable. When an Aikido technique is performed "in tune" with an attack, the resonance is felt in its completion. It feels "sweet". Aikido techniques can be devastatingly lethal or it can be healing. As true Budo, intended by founder Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei, Aikido resolves and neutralises conflict. But it all begins with purpose and intent. If "intent" is the first step toward an authentic experience, then the first question one must ask oneself is "Why do I want to learn and practice the art of Aikido?" When that is answered sincerely, everything falls into place. (Copyright April 2004 : Rafael Oei)

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