Parents Class

Earlier this month Sensei scheduled our first parents class. What is parents class, you ask? It’s simple, really: the kids in our children’s program invited their mom or dad on the mat, to experience Aikido first hand. By helping teach their parents simple technique, our kids could demonstrate how much they’ve learned. Our parents, meanwhile, received a painless introduction to the art through their childrens’ eyes.

Don’t think, however, that the class was easy.  Sensei demonstrated shikko (knee walking), as well as forward and back ukemi (rolling).  Our parents also learned sumi-otoshi (corner drop) and participated in some aiki games, including shikko dodgeball and an ukemi relay race.

As usual, we took plenty of pictures.  Enjoy!

15 thoughts on “Parents Class”

  2. For some reason, the spam filter caught your comment grassHopper. I fixed it.

    BTW, any feedback from your presentation? I think it was a success.

  3. They liked it a lot. We later had a chance to briefly discuss the differences between aikido and Christian philosophies as well as the similarities. I’m very glad I had such an opportunity to share. Through the preparations, I was forced to find out what it was that I believed, and why I believed it. I don’t think I hold a very popular view…

  7. I agree regarding your second comment. But I don’t think my view–at least part of it–would be very popular with you. For example, the thought that a Christian can/should use aikido principles in your daily life is not something I agree with.

    The article is still in the works, I promise.

  8. Why do you assume I wouldn’t agree? We’ve never had a theology discussion, to the best of my recollection.

    (Remember, though, even the leading theologians in the Christian church had disagreements. So disagreement is not always bad.)

  9. I assume you disagree because of something you mentioned on the day of my presentation. You said something to the effect of:

    “I use aikido in mediating with others” or something like that.

    My stand is that, as a Christian, you don’t “need” aikido principles and SHOULD NOT “use them” in your daily life. I do recognize that treating others with kindness and trying to find peaceful resolutions are aspects that both Christianity and aikido share. However, Christianity, sort of like a martial art, is a way of life. If you are a Christian, then, by definition, your master is Christ and you are a servant of His. After all, Jesus is THE way (John 14:6). All credit should find its way back to Him, because He alone is worthy on honor and praise (James 1:17).

    As I look back to last year’s comments, I see you are quite passionate about defending aikido. You emphasize personal development and budo. Since you say you’re a Christian, I’m curious as to why you are pointing people to a man-made, temporary, earthly solution when you know (I hope you know) that it is through Christ alone that all hope is found. Aikido can’t help alcoholics overcome addiction. It offers no hope to the depressed. It can’t heal a broken marriage. It gives no solution or help to an unwed, pregnant teen. It doesn’t fix the root of these problems which is sin. But Jesus does.

    Yes, there is disagreement even within the church. But just because the “leaders” of the church disagree doesn’t always mean it’s a good thing. Don’t get me wrong, things like predestination and so forth are tricky. But we’re not discussing predestination, we’re discussing the true relevance of Christianity and the Lordship and supremacy of Christ in one’s life.

  12. But we’re not discussing predestination, we’re discussing the true relevance of Christianity and the Lordship and supremacy of Christ in one’s life.

    Actually, we’re not. I simply asked about your presentation. This is a conversation that, so far, you’re having with yourself.

  13. OK then. Wrong argument. Errant logic. But seriously, I would really like to know why you give so much aikido so much credit and laud, and what you really believe, since I am apparently reading you wrong.

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