The Art in Martial Arts 
Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 05:45 AM - Aikido
Through my martial arts training, I believe I am beginning to develop a higher level of understanding and intelligence of life. I don't perceive myself better (or worse) than the person standing next to me. The only thing that differentiate us is that I have been able to abstract myself of everything (actions, emotions, words) and look at it from a third person's perspective. This is a concept which is fundamental to Buddhism, what they call being mindful of the universe. Through this approach (I believe) you are truly able to find yourself, and not judge yourself or base all your actions and decisions on random thoughts and emotions.

Now, lately I have been approach by several individuals. They usually start the conversation with “..i see you really into your martial arts” which I take with compliment of course, but do get disappointed with soon after. The following question 9/10 is always something about punching, kicking...fighting. These question often is based on some clip watched on YouTube. But this is not me, I believe that my martial arts is about fighting yes, but more importantly about living. Why fight if I can avoid it? Why hate if I can love? I have the habit to disappoint as well, when asked how to block a punch, I response '..why allow a situation where the person wants to punch you in the first place?'.

The concept of a martial arts (principle, discipline, understanding...the list goes on) is core to most or at least can be applied to any martial art style in the world. Yet it seems that the modern world has disconnect most styles from these core fundamentals. Without them, is not any style just plain fighting? Surely society should know better?

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Takemusu Aikido, a global martial art. 
Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 11:29 PM - Aikido
Recently we had a pleasure to have a visiting guest from Takemusu Aikido Portugal. He is currently visiting South Africa on vacation, but obviously still wanted to continue to train in Aikido.

Thru Aikido I was tought the principles of structure, and its true value when working with multiple individuals. Creating an environment of common understanding and perception, ensuring that ALL are benefited by the class. I have applied these principles in my software development and it has brought me great success.

And all this became so evident when i trained with our guest Aikidoka. I have never met this person in my life, yet we trained in perfect harmony. With our comman understanding of etiquette and principles of an Aikido dojo, training was an absolute joy.

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Aikido Grading: Ikkyu 
Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 01:45 PM - Aikido
Its been a while since I made a post, but I have been really busy.

Last Saturday I received my Takemusu Aikido Ikkyu grading. It was tough, but I felt proud of myself afterward. The last 14 months I have been living an active life with lots of cardio training, and this surely supported me during my grading exam. I was required to participate with my fellow student doing the Gokyu, Yonkyu and Sankyu grading syllabus. Then afterward I still had to performed the Ikkyu syllabus... I was pretty knackered!

But apart from one correction, I basically performed every technique from the word go. It felt good to be able to perform such a multitude of techniques with a more natural feeling rather than over thinking it.

Now start my journey to train for Shodan as well as becoming an instructor.

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Back in action with Takemusu Aikido. 
Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 04:38 AM - Aikido
After the closing of my Aikido Dojo on such a low note last year, I am very pleased now that the Dojo has opened again and training has started for 2008. This year will be focused on even more on Aikido training and the understanding of what a (or in my opinion) any martial art is all about. Last year has been a real eye opener for me, I have developed a whole new perspective on understanding and approaching a marital art. There is seems this mind set, set of fundamentals and open minded understanding that can, or rather should, be applied by any student when studying and training a martial art.


Photo from Takemusu Aikido South Africa Gasshuku


Onegai Shimasu!



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Aikido Dojo closed... 
Thursday, October 4, 2007, 08:00 AM - Aikido
Well today our Sensei closed our Dojo due to issues that started between him and fellow students, and I am deeply hurt that it came to this. Fortunately our 2nd Dojo will remain open, so I can continue my training. Initially I thought I should do a write-up on all issues and voice my opinion on them, but then I thought I will just post this...

What does this mean to you as a person?


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Aikido Nikyu Grading 
Saturday, September 29, 2007, 08:30 AM - Aikido
I graded today. I was a very tough exam, but i personally feel much more satisfied with my performance compared to my last grading. Only major slip up i made was to confuse Uchi and Soto Mawari with my Kaiten Nage techniques. Otherwise were there small slip ups, but i was able to recognize them immediately and correct on them. Looking forward to my Ikkyu grading.

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Passed, but just... 
Monday, April 2, 2007, 04:41 AM - Aikido
Well last Saturday a fellow Aikidoka and I did our Sankyo grading after a day long Gasshku. Needless to say we both were dog tired. The grading was a lot tougher than we expected. I personally was just very annoyed with myself, with all the technical mistakes i have made. But i passed, and we all know our Sensei does not give grades away freely. Guess the only thing i can do now is to make sure that i train harder for my next grading and get myself back up to scratch.

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