Learning To Be Silent

This is a love letter to New York Aikikai.

My fondest Aikido memories—the lessons I remember best, the stories I think most about—all begin in New York. I don’t think it an exaggeration to say that my first visit to the dojo eight years ago transformed me. It was, in a very direct and practical sense, my first real exposure to this wonderful martial art.

Recently Dee and I returned from their Christmas seminar, after a short week training. Of course for Dee, New York Aikikai is a family reunion. For me, however, it’s something else: a glimpse perhaps, at the possibility of Aikido, when practiced at an exceptional level. I’ve experienced this before, at other seminars, and I’m always left astounded.

And of course we saw Tonya test for shodan. For her, I’d imagine the seminar to be an ending of sorts, as well as a new beginning. I remember well when she first stepped onto the mat, and then later, her adventures as an uchi deshi. To her, Sensei and I wish a warm congratulations.

But it’s more than that. New York Aikikai is more than that.

In my mind’s eye, when I picture my Aikido self, my idealized sense of me as a martial artist, I see myself with Dee, leading me up that narrow staircase, the sound of bodies crashing in the distance.

That’s what New York Aikikai means to me.

Brevard Aikikai is hosting a fund raising seminar for Nobu Arakawa Sensei, chief instructor of Hyde Park Aikido.

Scheduled to teach are the following USAF instructors:

• Peter Bernath, Florida Aikikai, 7th dan Shihan
• Penny Bernath, Florida Aikikai, 6th dan Shidoin
• Richard Wagener, Palm Beach Aikikai, 6th dan Shidoin
• Grady Lane, Brevard Aikikai, 6th dan Shidoin
• Nobu Arakawa, Hyde Park Aikido, 5th dan Shidoin
• Youssef Sadkane, Sadkane School for Aikido, 3rd dan Fukushidoin

Arakawa Sensei is a long time student of Yamada Sensei, and trained for many years at New York Aikikai.  We’ve had the privilege to host him at our school, in 2002 and 2003.

On a personal note, Arakawa Sensei tested me for 5th kyu in 2002, and in 2004, tested me for 2nd kyu in Tampa. The seminar is a benefit for Sensei, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

The seminar itself is scheduled for Sunday, October 3, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  It will be held at Brevard Aikikai. In lieu of a seminar fee, Brevard Aikikai is accepting donations on behalf of Sensei.

Dee received word Monday morning that Sugano Sensei passed on Sunday, August 29th, from complications related to diabetes and cancer. This is difficult news; I’m finding, as I type this, that I’m completely unable to make sense of my own thoughts. Our sadness is palpable.

We plan, at some point, to convey to you some of our memories of Sensei. Right now, though, I can’t.

First, Sensei and I want to congratulate Guido for passing his 4th kyu test, and Daniella and Isabella for passing 9th kyu. Your hard work and perseverance paid off — congratulations.

Also, I want to welcome back one of our own, Joey Turner. For those who don’t know, Joey is a nidan (2nd degree black belt) and student of Grady Lane Sensei. And like Tonya, he was a deshi for a time at New York Aikikai. Joey has recently recovered from an injury, and will be training with us on Saturdays. I highly recommend that our newer students pair up with Joey on the mat. I’ve learned a lot from him over the years.

And lastly, I am giving fair warning regarding the problem of unwashed gis in the men’s dressing room. I think we all know who the culprit is, but in the interest of sparing him public humiliation, I have decided not to out him at this time. What I have done, however, is Febreeze the entire area. So if your gi smells like clean linen, you know who to blame.

But I’m not stopping there. I have decided to use even more frilly scents (starting with rose petal, then to bubblegum) until the responsible party is finally shamed enough to wash the blessed thing. You’ve been warned.

(Seriously, this comes from Sensei. Please wash your gi. Thank you.)