Everyone who trains in the martial art of aikido has an aikido origin story—how did they find their first aikido class? But I'm also curious about why people come back to train over and over.
I was just talking about your last post to some friends today, and then I get online, and see you have written more about it! My friends and I - who all are or have been yoga teachers - were talking about the importance of a skillfully trauma informed approach to teaching. We were discussing how important it is to be aware that an instruction that is helpful for one student might trigger another student. One of my friends was really struggling with the fear of causing harm to a student because it's impossible to be 100% sure beforehand that the approach you use won't be experienced in a negative way by a student. Your first post about Aikido and falling popped into my mind, and I had this epiphany. In yoga world, we tend to focus on techniques and practices for centering and resourcing that will help us stay regulated, and that approach is generally assumed to be an internal process. What we are missing is exactly what you described as central to your Aikido practice, wherein you assume that external forces will inevitably knock you off balance, and the practice is in learning how to accept the inevitability of that fall, navigate it, and then regain your balance. That's what we're missing in yoga world; there is this overarching, unspoken assumption that if we do it right, we will never be thrown. But that is unrealistic, and can even be detrimental. We need to learn, like you obviously have, that falling is not a failure, but an inevitable part of the process. Nowhere in your words here do I see any indication of self-recrimination or shame about having fallen away from your practice for some time. Instead, you talk about how you found your way back, and to me, that is a refreshing and invigorating perspective. Thank you for every word you share here. I am always so happy to see a new post from you!
Thank you for sharing, LC! Your kind feedback means a great deal to me and I am glad to hear from you.
That's wonderful that you and friends are/have been yoga teachers! I am a beginner to yoga, and I have found it very helpful for my muscle stability.
That is really interesting and important to think about whether instructions or guidance might trigger a student. It seems impossible to me to make a truly safe educational space. I've been in the position of having instructions trigger me in aikido, but I wouldn't have known in advance.
Perhaps if we keep in mind that when working with another person, something you do may trigger a harmful reaction, and teach how to deal with that situation compassionately. (Step away, apologize, do something different, take a break, check in with your partner about what they want to do next/instead if possible)
I think that's really important to treat meltdowns/shutdowns/being triggered as not a failure or something to feel shame about. Maybe more like your body protecting yourself in the best way you have at the time.
It's interesting, when I recall what I did in my early twenties, I cannot relate very much to the person I was then. I don't feel shame because I don't understand my choices from back then and would do things very differently today. It's like I'm thinking about another person, trying to figure them out. But I appreciate you pointing out that I do not dive into self-recrimination.
I appreciate your thoughtful insights! I have been thinking about this a lot. Thank you!
I was just talking about your last post to some friends today, and then I get online, and see you have written more about it! My friends and I - who all are or have been yoga teachers - were talking about the importance of a skillfully trauma informed approach to teaching. We were discussing how important it is to be aware that an instruction that is helpful for one student might trigger another student. One of my friends was really struggling with the fear of causing harm to a student because it's impossible to be 100% sure beforehand that the approach you use won't be experienced in a negative way by a student. Your first post about Aikido and falling popped into my mind, and I had this epiphany. In yoga world, we tend to focus on techniques and practices for centering and resourcing that will help us stay regulated, and that approach is generally assumed to be an internal process. What we are missing is exactly what you described as central to your Aikido practice, wherein you assume that external forces will inevitably knock you off balance, and the practice is in learning how to accept the inevitability of that fall, navigate it, and then regain your balance. That's what we're missing in yoga world; there is this overarching, unspoken assumption that if we do it right, we will never be thrown. But that is unrealistic, and can even be detrimental. We need to learn, like you obviously have, that falling is not a failure, but an inevitable part of the process. Nowhere in your words here do I see any indication of self-recrimination or shame about having fallen away from your practice for some time. Instead, you talk about how you found your way back, and to me, that is a refreshing and invigorating perspective. Thank you for every word you share here. I am always so happy to see a new post from you!
Thank you for sharing, LC! Your kind feedback means a great deal to me and I am glad to hear from you.
That's wonderful that you and friends are/have been yoga teachers! I am a beginner to yoga, and I have found it very helpful for my muscle stability.
That is really interesting and important to think about whether instructions or guidance might trigger a student. It seems impossible to me to make a truly safe educational space. I've been in the position of having instructions trigger me in aikido, but I wouldn't have known in advance.
Perhaps if we keep in mind that when working with another person, something you do may trigger a harmful reaction, and teach how to deal with that situation compassionately. (Step away, apologize, do something different, take a break, check in with your partner about what they want to do next/instead if possible)
I think that's really important to treat meltdowns/shutdowns/being triggered as not a failure or something to feel shame about. Maybe more like your body protecting yourself in the best way you have at the time.
It's interesting, when I recall what I did in my early twenties, I cannot relate very much to the person I was then. I don't feel shame because I don't understand my choices from back then and would do things very differently today. It's like I'm thinking about another person, trying to figure them out. But I appreciate you pointing out that I do not dive into self-recrimination.
I appreciate your thoughtful insights! I have been thinking about this a lot. Thank you!
I’ve never considered taking part in martial arts and probably never will, but your stories about it sure make me curious!
I'm glad you enjoy the stories! Thank you for reading!