We asked some of our newer aikido students at the Aiki Arts Center if they had any questions about practice for the yudansha (black belts), and then we passed those questions along to the yudansha to get their answers. The result is this series of posts we call “Insights for Beginners.”
This third post in the series features answers from Alan Hodges Sensei, an Aiki Arts Center instructor who currently holds a 4th degree black belt.
Why Aikido? Something about the art struck you in a way strong enough to keep you around all the way to a black belt (and beyond). What was it?
It’s the way Aikido handles conflict as something you should guide yourself and your partner through safely. Something about seeing opponents as enemies has always felt wrong to me.
What does it feel like for you to connect with your Aikido partner? Is it intimate?
For me, it’s an unspoken conversation, listening and responding. Many kinds of conversation are possible: earnest or superficial, direct or indirect. The perpetual question is, what kind of conversation is it going to be this time?
From reading Journey to the Heart of Aikido, my understanding is that Aikido, as originally pursued by O-Sensei, was not just a martial art but an entire way of being, applicable in every moment. Does this align with your experience of the art?
Yes, although other martial arts strive for that as well. The world of martial arts changed dramatically during the 20th century. Aikido, along with the other martial arts that we know today, arose to preserve things that otherwise would be lost in time. I think O-Sensei was one of many who endeavored to figure out what to preserve and how. The fact that Aikido has endured certainly means something, but it is up to his successors, us among them, to continue the endeavor.
How do you recognize your Aikido practice affecting and transforming your life outside of the dojo?
It’s much easier to deal with a virtual slap in the face when you deal with an actual slap in the face every week.
What is your current edge in practice? What are you grappling with in practice at this time?
I’m learning to adapt techniques to different partners and different situations. I’m looking for ways to use the ideas and principles of Aikido without constraining myself to familiar techniques.
In my experience so far, coming in routinely is supportive for me because it constructs consistency; however, it can dull my practice in the way routines tend to do. How do you reconcile consistency with aliveness?
I find aliveness within the consistency. Early in my practice, I thought a technique was a fixed set of motions I needed to do consistently each time. Now I think each application of a technique needs to be adapted to each partner and all the other variables. How can you consistently adapt a technique like that unless you are alive in the moment?
What is the most important advice you would give to an Aikido practitioner who is early on their journey of practice?
Diversify your practice however you can. Take classes from multiple instructors, try other martial arts, read books, watch videos, talk to other martial artists about techniques and philosophy, etc. Even the best instructor can only show you so much.
