Learning To Be Silent

Editors Note: For those who may not know, Sam is leaving us this August, for greener pastures in Atlanta. Sam began training with us in 2007 at the University of North Florida. Before Aikido, he trained in Shorinji-Ryu Karate, and he plans to continue his Aikido training in Georgia. On a parting note, I thought I’d dig through the archives and post an article he wrote. The original can be found in our June 2008 newsletter. Enjoy!

After studying Karate for three years and then moving to Jacksonville, I arrived at the University of North Florida as a post-baccalaureate student in the Fall of 2007.  At that time, I did not know much about Aikido, although I had a sensei back in Gainesville, where I am from, who informed me that Aikido study was amenable for somebody who knew Karate.

My name is Sam McCrea and I am a high school math teacher here in Jacksonville.  When I first set foot in the dojo, I did not know much about Aikido, but I did know what not to look for in a school:  pretense, grandiosity, and promises of “a black-belt within X number of years.”  Instead I knew that one should look for a simple, dedicated school with inhabitants dedicated to their art.  I found that at UNF. 

My maturation as an Aikido student has been very gradual.  During the fall semester last year I generally went to a lesson once a week.  Now I usually go two or three times a week and I can sense a growth in my abilities.  For somebody like me, Aikido study is an excellent way to put my concentrative powers and self discipline to the test.  I am famous for not being able to pay attention, but Aikido forces me to do it. 

I am also impressed by the martial ability of the instructors and students.  I attended a seminar hosted by Brevard Aikikai in January where Tonya was promoted to 2nd kyu, a rank she now shares with Oscar.  I have also recently been made aware of the rank status of our “Aikido Family,” including Karl, Leslie, and David, who are all 4th kyu.  In addition to being impressed by their artistry, the members make the dojo a place where I feel welcome.  I am comfortable here and feel I am among friends.  If I ask Sensei to demonstrate a technique for me, I can rest assured she’ll do it gladly, even if I’m literally asking her for the hundredth time.

I say hats off to the Aikido Center of Jacksonville; as long as I’m a student at UNF, I will continue to train here.

You’ve come a long way in a short time, Sam. (As have the students you mention in your 2008 article!) On behalf of Sensei and the school, congratulations on your new adventure. We’ll miss you!

By Maggie Schill

Over the past two years I’ve been experimenting with a rare form of Budo. This art is called “te-pu-do” – The Way of the Tape.

It started out with curiosity, which led to necessity. Pretty soon my every thought was captivated by the tiny white roll that is sports tape!

Only through complete devotion to “The Tape” can one hope to unlock the doors to true enlightenment. It was through vigorous training, experimentation and deep soul searching that I’ve uncovered the Truth…and that truth is “The Tape.”

Now that I’ve uncovered this truth, I’ve become convinced to reveal this art to the world, so all might benefit from my training.

Here I have listed just a sample of the jitsu of power…the true techniques of “The Tape.”

1- Learn who your enemies are:

Tape off wrists, shoulder, feet or toes. Training partners will see the presence of “The Tape” as sign of injury.  No good man will attack what they perceive is an injured joint. However, a bad man will think it’s a target.

2- The road is hard:

Often times the training grounds are damaging to the warrior’s tootsies! Mat burn, cracked calluses and split heals are but a few assaults that await you. Reflect on your sport’s tape firmly in this hour. Apply “The Tape” over these dermal annoyances to extend you training time.

3- Silence is a virtue:

In class does your partner talk more than he trains? With “The Tape” there is an obvious answer!

4- Dress the part:

Hole in your dogi? Knees wearing out on your pants? Tailor not! “The Tape” is all you need to shield these imperfections from the world.

5- Hide your shame:

With much pound cake comes much shame! With much shame comes a larger waist line. All too often the warrior will find himself happy with a few extra poundage, and his belt no longer encompasses his mighty girth! “The Tape” is all one needs to bridge the gap between belt and belly.

6- Top notch top knot:

Elastic bands break. Barrettes bend. The answer to all conceivable hair malfunctions lie in the dojo’s first-aid kit. “The Tape!” Oh, glorious scrunchy of eternal adhesiveness!  Turn every down day into an up-do!

7- Brazilian Sunburn:

Before “The Tape” came to me, I would cower at the site of an opponent’s brawny chest hair. Through diligent training and long meditation I have overcome my fears. With “The Tape” in hand, not even the potency of colossal chest hair can thwart your courage! Apply and pull! Your adversary’s screams will be heard as far as the parking lot.

8-  Ho-Ho-Ho:

The power of “The Tape” can take you to new social heights! Are you feeling inadequate in your dojo because of the lack of a full and puissant beard! “The Tape” has the answer. Cut six strips from its hallowed roll and place firmly to your sleek chin, and then train, dignified before your fellow warriors.

9-  One-Half the Fun:

Sometimes the warrior needs to let loose and have fun. However, the serious warrior must take care not to have too much fun. Take “The Tape” firmly and pull forth from it a two foot strip. Leave that sublime strip attached to the roll. Grasp joyfully (but discretely) to the end of that strip and let the hallowed roll hang. You will then have a (somewhat) functional yo-yo. (Also known as a “yo.”) This contraption is also perfect for when you only need to have half the fun that a conventional yo-yo provides.

This is but a sliver of the amazing possibilities you will have when you set out on “The Way of the Tape.”

Some freestyle following a recent Saturday class.  I left the camera on after kyu testing.

Enjoy!

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Lately, a group of students have begun interval training at the dojo, during Friday open mat. It’s a solid workout, and an excellent way to build strength as well as improve cardiovascular fitness. The group is very supportive of each other–the workout itself, for example, can be tailored for each individual.

Here’s the basic regimen (each exercise consists of four sets, for twenty seconds):

Ukemi
Medicine Ball
Crunches
Lunges
Push-Ups
Leg Lifts
Bokken
Squat Thrusts
Dips
Arm Lifts
Back Arches

The workout is designed to tone muscle in the following areas:

Shoulders (Bokken)
Chest (Push-Ups)
Back (Planks, Leg Lifts, Back Arches)
Biceps (Bokken)
Triceps (Bokken, Dips)
Stomach (Medicine Ball, Crunches, Leg Lifts, Squats, Thrusts, Planks)
Thighs (Lunges)
Hamstrings (Lunges, Back Arches)
Calves

We encourage your participation. It’s a great way to stay in shape.

And since we feel so strongly about proper physical conditioning, we are also inviting our parents and spouses to join us, at no charge. Think of this as a no cost way to get in shape.

So, to our regular students, their spouses, and parents in our kids program, join us Friday nights at 5:30 p.m.

Questions? Interested? Let us know!

This past Tuesday we were honored to host a special guest instructor. Ed Di Marco Sensei, 6th dan shidoin and chief instructor for Lake County Aikikai, happened to be in Jacksonville on business.  We were quick to ask that he teach both evening classes, and of course he graciously agreed.

During the first class, we saw several interesting tsuki variations, including a kokyu-nage I had not seen before.  The second class consisted of weapons work, including a paired jo and bokken kata I first encountered at New York Aikikai, in a class taught by Sugano Sensei. Which of course is not surprising since Di Marco Sensei trained in New York for twenty years.

We took lots of pictures, a few of which are posted below.  Enjoy!