aikido wisdom

lyonesse and I went to her regularly scheduled aikido class tonight (as in, she was supposed to teach), and, predictably, no one showed up. But you never know who's going to be around and bored the day after Thanksgiving.

Anyway, we talked about the philosophy of aikido, and the things that don't make it onto Sensei's Four Basic Principles. We made a list, and left it on the chalkboard in the wrestling room, as a gift to whoever walked in. And I'll probably work some of it into Monday's lesson (which I'm teaching).

AIKIDO WISDOM: WORDS TO THE FOOLISH

• Don't be there
  
• Stand like a normal person
  
• Bunny hands
  
• Tripod spot (not)
  
• Breathe every day
  
• Don't escalate
  
• Take out the slack
  
• Don't stiffen up
  
• Fingers are tender (Plan B)
  
• Avoid the force (you are not a Jedi)
  
• Practice the demo'd technique
  
• Give appropriate attack

"Aikido is Love"
-- O Sensei