![\"walking](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.searchofpeace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/walking-dojo.jpg?resize=474%2C337\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Why are you at practice today? Aikido can be a practice of a variety of skills; practice leading, supporting someone in crisis, reducing opposition and conflict, being less of a jerk, being more assertive, best intentions, adaptive response, non-verbal communication…. Aikido can be a practice of your personal goals if you can focus on your goal as a theme of practice. This brings the benefits of practice into relevance for the rest of daily life rather than needing to walk out the door into a fight on the street. Thanks to Joaquin Phoenix for wearing his dogi (uniform) on the street. Dude, that’s not okay…<\/p>\n
You want to focus on leadership; look at the role of posture, engagement, goal-orientation, and non-verbal communication. You are trying to get someone to do something, are you building resistance, are you overbearing (maybe even creepy), are you providing an opportunity for the person to go towards shared goals.<\/p>\n
You want to be more assertive or empowered; focus on extension, structure, moving to security, regaining your center when things are going poorly, finding how you can be effective even with inferior strength or size.<\/p>\n
You want to express good intentions without coming off as a jerk; focus on how your “non-violent, compassionate aikido” is effecting uke. Are you pushing, pulling, crushing, intimidating, and throwing uke with nice pretty movements or are your movements establishing mutual security, fluid movement, safe ukemi, and a good balance of de-escalation and re-orientation?<\/p>\n
You want to practice non-verbal communication; do you look like a badass peacemaker or about to start a duel? Are you offering a chance to attack or challenging your partners strength? Does the shape of your body, breathing, feeling stay positive or are your intentions and experience in conflict?<\/p>\n
You want to do better Aikido; figure out a reason for practice beyond rising up the ranks, or getting that pretty skirt (okay I really wanted the skirt). Figure out your goals so that Aikido is currency in your long term objectives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Why are you at practice today? Aikido can be a practice of a variety of skills; practice leading, supporting someone in crisis, reducing opposition and conflict, being less of a jerk, being more assertive, best intentions, adaptive response, non-verbal communication…. Aikido can be a practice of your personal goals if you can focus on your … Continue reading Aikido can be more than a Martial Art<\/span>