Aiki Institute Of Spokane

Potentials…What are all the potentials of all the good things that we listed regarding our Aikido training? In part 1 we listed some of the good things that come about because of our training in the Aikido dojo. Now it is time to take the next step in this process of PPCO; Potential. What are the potentials of our actions? Where might all this good stuff lead?

A positive that was listed is Increased Awareness. What might be all the future benefits of increasing our awareness?

• I might avoid that accident when the other driver slides through the intersection, unable to stop in the icy road conditions, thereby saving injury and money in repairs.
• I might avoid being mugged by the sketchy looking guy hiding in the entry way of that dark building, keeping me physically safe and my cash in my pocket.
• I might make a connection with a work partner that will be of benefit to my work making me a star to my boss and earning me that promotion and raise.
• I might see an opportunity to invest that will increase my wealth and lead to that vacation in Fiji.
• I might see that my relative needs my help but is unable to ask. This leading to a closer relationship with that relative and a good feeling for doing something helpful.
• I might see that my supervisor is having a challenging day and that it would not be a good time to press him on an issue, saving me from being chewed out.
• I might see that my supervisor is feeling light, happy, and powerful today, giving me the opportunity to positively present an issue to her. This leading to more interesting challenges at work.
• I might feel the pain in my stomach that may indicate that I need to cut down on my coffee intake before I end up with bigger health problems.
• I might have less conflict in my day, which will result is less stress resulting in a healthier life.
• I might get more work done.
• I might find more time to spend with my family.
• I might find more time for me.
• I might find new ways to teach that have a positive effect on my students.

Let’s look at the potential of another positive of our Aikido training; Social Network.

• I might meet people I would never have talked to if I did not meet them on the mat.
• I might learn about a new job opportunity that will increase my salary.
• I might find someone that can help me with that project that I am stalled on.
• I might learn about an author that I have never heard of but sounds like something I want to read.
• I might find support in solving a child rearing issue that will reduce my stress and help my child live a more productive life.
• I might laugh more making my day more fun in general.
• I might try a new beer opens my taste buds to different styles of brewing.
• I might find new, better ways to solve problems that leave me more energized and with more spare time.
• I might meet someone that opens a new path for my life, leading me to more fulfilling work.
• I might fall in love.
• I might find new perspectives that keep me interested, increasing my lust for life.
• I might be challenged to open my mind, which opens up all sorts of possibilities.
• I might meet someone that could help me get my message out to a larger audience, thereby, positively effecting more lives.

This is the short list of just two of the positives we listed regarding our Aikido training. Take a few minutes to add your own thoughts to these lists. Then think about why you train in Aikido. All of the positive reasons for coming to the dojo. Then list all the potentials, the benefits, the spin-offs, the opportunities, of those positive reasons.

Now you are beginning to see the true substance and power of our training. Now you begin to see how training ourselves effects the community around us. How the community of our dojo, the community of our Aikido Association, the community of Aikido Practitioners, effects the community that is our society, our civilization.

Next up…How to deal with concerns in a positive and constructive manner.

To live in possibilities. Take the time to watch this presentation by Benjamin Zander. This is the transformative nature of Aiki. This is the celebration of life that leads to creativity, harmony, peace, and prosperity. A precious 20 minutes that will open your eyes and ears to the conversation of possibilities. Aikido is not just practiced on the mat. Bring this feeling to your Aikido and see what happens. Imagine the possibilities! This is the conversation I want to have.

I originally saw this at Presentation Zen And it comes from Pop Tech

“A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.”
O’Sensei

“What makes someone credible?” or “Why do we trust someone?” These questions were asked by Albert Mehrabian in his book Silent Messages. The answer in his studies and confirmed by many studies after, 7% content, 38% voice, tone, and tempo, and 55% body language. “If we agree that from a somatic perspective, voice, tone, and tempo fall into the category of body , we can conclude that 93% of building trust and credibility is communicated through the body.” Richard Strozzi-Heckler, “The Leadership Dojo”

Is the study of Aikido a valuable leadership tool? Given the above statements I think it is easy to see the value in training as it relates to our abilities as a leader. In the leadership trainings I facilitate, the very learnings that are present on the Aikido mat are present in our exploration of leadership in the conference room.

Our posture, the way we move, says so much about how we see ourselves and how we see the world around us. Are we relaxed and centered as we move forward facing the challenges that lie ahead? This is the posture of a leader.

Entering into our challenges it is possible to lead our partner with clear, concise discussion (taisabaki), generating a graceful, satisfying solution(waza). As we enter into the dialogue of a challenge we must be upright, balanced, open-eyed, so that we may perceive the opportunities that present themselves, and be in a position that allows us to freely move into those openings so that we may secure the most appropriate solution. Our exchange must be honest, with conviction, flowing from the very essence, not clouded with ego, or stiffened with expectations. As we implement our successful solution we must follow through completely (zanshin), and hold ourselves with grattitude for the hard work that all have put forth in rising to the challenge and creating something new and wonderful, we bow to our partner.

Wouldn’t it be great if all of our leaders studied Aikido?

Don’t like it?  Delete and start over.  Yes computers are wonderful.  Add a little contrast to a photo, don’t like it change it, do it over.   Write a new business plan. Don’t like the way the numbers work out?  Do it over and adjust the numbers.  A problem with the web site?  Do over!

In today’s world it is particularly easy to have do overs.  Just like when we played as children.  Miss the ball just call “do overs”!  In Aikido, don’t like the way that technique turned out or the way that kata looked, do it over. Make it better.

Does the idea of “do overs” relieve us of some of the pressure to do it right?  While it is nice to have do overs there are no undo’s.  This is particularly important in our relationships.  When meeting someone for the first time, if we fail to make the impression we want we can always do it over but we can not ever undo that first impression. We will not ever have that moment again.  When trying to make our point we can try again, do over, but we can not undo that which we said.  There are no undo’s.

In our training, this moment can never be experienced again.  The attack, the throw, the pin, can not be undone, we can only do over.  This is the nature of training, of practice.  So do it over, and over, and over.  Make each time the best that you can at that moment for that moment will never be again and there are no undo’s.

As you can see we have a new web site.  It is my intention to make this site a central piece of the community we have at the Aiki Institute of Spokane.  The audience is not limited to those who study Aikido or other martial arts, but extends to the larger community.  In this way I wish to share with a broader audience the joys and benefits of our training and to explore opportunities to continue our training “off the mat”.

Please enjoy your exploration of this new site.  Send us your comments, stories for publication, and questions regarding Aikido and what it can bring to your life.  Consider the work we do here with adults and youth.  While training in the dojo is the rock of our foundation, we also provide unique and powerful training experiences in formats for the office or school.  Have questions?? Please ask.  In the neighborhood?? Want to know more?? Drop by!

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This June our first Reiki workshop was held.  Reiki Master Susan Mitchell of Reiki Healing Arts led five participants on a relaxing, healing, journey toward certification as a first degree Reiki practitioner. Twelve hours over two days filled with laughter, joy, love, and genuine goodwill.  This was the first workshop that this writer has participated in where snoring was considered a compliment.

Reiki is a gentle art of healing that anyone can learn to access.  Its uses range from first aid to general health to pain management to emotional comforting.  More information about Reki can be found at www.reikihealingarts.com.

This marked the first healing workshop hosted by the Aiki Institute of Spokane and the first step in building the Ki Center; a project to bring martial, aesthetic, and healing arts under one roof.  Thus bringing substance to the idea of integrating mind, body and spirit.  Stay tuned as we offer more such opportunities.