5th Kyu Essays
Nazia Bhuyain
I began Aikido on a whim right at the start of 2023, choosing a club within walking distance of my house and am immensely grateful for it. I was initially hesitant about my presence at the dojo, with both being an amateur, and being significantly younger than the other members, but was encouraged so openly and wholeheartedly by everyone there that the learning curve was easy.
With aikido’s emphasis on the redirection of your uke’s energy, as a martial art it truly forces you to embrace technique over strength. As a generally small person, if my hand placements and posture is not correct, the techniques will not work. This trains such a sense of discipline that it is easy to transfer the mindset into other sports and activities; if my basic foundation is subpar, my final move will be too.
Multiple techniques focus on joint locks and pins, and because of this I have never thought of anatomy and human movement so much. It’s wonderful to see how it is possible to both prevent and direct a person’s movements with ‘simple’ elbow positioning without even causing pain to either party. It gives you an appreciation for how the body functions in its movements when you understand its breakpoints. I am entirely grateful for my entire dojo for the patience and the effort they have shown me during this past year, this achievement of 5th Kyu would have meant nothing without them.
Saloni Pradham
I started Aikido as my activity section for the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programme. Having never pursued a Martial Art, or sport of similar nature, I was initially nervous to try it out.
I was intimidated by the thought of doing a martial art, as TV and media had always portrayed the sport as highly competitive and dangerous. However, the friendly atmosphere of the Dojo and self defensive nature of Aikido have helped me calm my initial worries and begin to explore a whole new sport.
As I continue to learn and practise, I become more drawn to the sport’s emphasis on harmony, discipline, and self-defence. Being asked in December 2023 to grade for March, I felt a mixture of intimidation and excitement, having never done a grading or examination of a similar fashion. Though, with the help of Pete Sensei and the whole club’s support, I felt no matter the outcome Seibukan was always a place that would continue to support me.
Being graded with my first 5th Kyu was truly exciting. I was proud to show the efforts of my practice over the past year. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to learn Aikido and train alongside such a supportive community. My efforts and determination, along with the backing of the club throughout, were evident in the grading process. Ultimately, I am excited to grow my skills in Aikido, whilst being a part of Seibukan’s vibrant community . I am looking forward to steadily improving my abilities and to the further training and gradings to come.
Simone Pradham
What sealed Aikido into a passion of mine was the very first demonstration I saw.
A friend and I had decided to do the DofE award together, and we were looking for a fun sport to fufill the challenge’s physical requirements. When I saw a poster for Seibukan’s UK branch, I assumed that it was like the samurai comics I’d read occasionally, and I figured that with my previous kickboxing experience, this would be a piece of cake.
When we attended our first session on a Monday night, Navy and I did feel a little out of the water, considering how everyone around us seemed several years older. Between ourselves, we had begun to wonder if this was really the right choice.
All that worry had melted away when we saw Bryan Sensei and Hayley step on the mat. They went through technique after technique, with movements blending seamlessly together like flowing water. It was childish at the time, but the fluttering fabric of their hakamas reminded me of the way flowers might drift through the breeze as they fall off a branch.
To me, Aikido became the embodiment of grace, and the redirection of energy that was at the core of every movement became something that I wanted to emulate in everything I did.
Even now, a year into Aikido, and a week past my first grading, my mind will return to the first lesson I learned. With firm posture, it’s possible to take on any challenge, whether it’s on the mat or off it.
2nd Kyu Essays
David Davies
I have to be honest after failing my previous grading it was difficult to continue Aikido or enjoy it as I had never gone totally blank like that before in a grading. It was an important life lesson for my teenage son to see that dad can fail but it’s what we do about it that we never give up that we have to keep going keep trying and that life is not always easy or goes to plan.
With so many good friends in this club how could I even consider not continuing Aikido. I worked harder with Peter Sensei and with the other teachers’ help and support I had a second grading that went much better and passed. I have always been very nervous with gradings I never sleep well before them it is something I’m learning to overcome, with such positive patient teacher’s at this club I know I will continue to enjoy my Aikido and will be able to help others who struggle with their nerves when grading I will give them help and support to overcome their fear and enjoy their Aikido.
David Barnard
It seems to me that the longer I am involved in the practice of aikido the more seductive it becomes, so I consider myself very fortunate to be part of a group of like minded individuals every one of whom has contributed to my training to enable me to achieve this latest grade. I look forward to much more of the same.