Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 23:43:37 -0500
From: Emily Dolan
<tx_terakian@EV1.NET>
Subject: mle's seminar review
I forwarded myself this from work, thus the carets.
I take pride and joy in having been to all three of the Aikido-L seminars.
For those of you who don't know how I got here, seems it was agreed upon a
couple years ago that the first Seminar be held in San Antonio, Texas.
I decided I was going to be there, found out I had to get on the list to
"qualify" and did so.
It still blows me away to have such a marvelous cooperation between the
subdivisions of aikido, whether we do things at 95 degrees or 120, or never
thought of even measuring..
And I have always loved Colorado. My first trip there, I had to be pried off
an aspen and stuffed back in the van.
Chuck and I met in the HUGE and ENORMOUS and did I mention it was BIG?
Denver airport, and headed out to Estes Park. The drive was wonderful, and
I enjoyed watching Chuck discover the mountains.
Yep.
Scenic.
;-)
The Streamside cabins were homey, though the room we were in the night folks
came over was more like a La Quinta.. we may have to change our names to
stay there again.
They went out of their way to help us out there, so if you want a cute place
to stay give Coni at Streamside a call.
(It's the least I can do to get her some extra business after what happened
in that room...)
It was chilly and the weather threatened rain, but we walked the trails and
investigated the sights, including some scenic screeching elk and startled
mule deer.
Next time we'll do some real hikes, gain some altitude, and enjoy those high
lakes and waterfalls.
I was happy to spend time huddling by a campfire, it'd been too long a time
since I had done that. The company was right interesting, too! Poor Arizona
boys! I'm glad I brought extra warm clothes! Granted, we had spiked the
cider with Speyside single malt, but it was still chilly out there.
The monkey business somehow began in the cabin. Somebody grunted, somebody
else grunted, there was a bit of a furball and SOMEONE broke Chuck's
glasses. With his forehead. I think. I was busy laughing.
Julian is rather unassuming at first, but turns out to be one of the more
insane people I have ever met, and an EXTREMELY powerful aikidoka. He was
in pretty extraordinary pain from whatever ails his back, though. Get
yourself fixed up, Julian. You have work to do. I helped as much as I could,
but my skills are pretty limited at this point.
Michxxl Hacker is, yes, pretty much what I expected, but wierder. And I
liked that, too. Yes, definitely an aiki-brother... never mind the foot,
we'll just have to try again and I will have to be more nimble.
I finally got to meet fellow Texan Rob Hough, who was pretty road-ragged. My
pic of him makes him look like he's been on a Mary Jane jag. So I didn't
post it. John Costello is a affable, fun big guy with great taste in whisky.
St James popped up a bit later, crisp and cheery. He always seems as if he
were wondering a bit at the world. Talk about good taste in SM! ah, those
Brits.
We had the requisite ousting of the party into the cold, wished them safe
home and got ready for the next day's drive and training.
Driving into Boulder, I asked a silly question.
"Where's the dojo?" We just assumed that one drove into Boulder and all
signs pointed to aikido. T'wasn't so! Oh well, we stopped for maps and
addresses and got in.
After about 30 minutes of paperwork (ack!) time on the mat began.
Yippee!
I was so lost in fascination with Ikeda sensei's efficient powerful little
spirals that I have no idea what we did. Things happened, I learned, I
still see the patterns the techniques made in my head and feel the effect it
had on me, taste the subtlety, but damned if I know what it was called. At
one point I managed to look so desperately confused that he came over and
shook the dust out of my brain, beeping me on the nose with his elbow in the
process. (Jun later grinned at me about Getting Out of the Way next time!)
Wow. and Wow. This is why I do this, to see ways of doing things that shift
my paradigm. Where, I dunno, but I have lots to think about. Especially my
effort in ukemi, because a few minutes with Ikeda S just wore me the heck
out.
I especially enjoyed how much fun he has on the mat, and his open heart and
mind.
And that kauai *sp?* smile.
Peter (my koryu older brother) came out to teach next, stick in hand.
And I understand well that feeling of being the puppy so excited that it's
about to pee the mat, but I'm a shodan now and am supposed to know better
(Hi Jim B..).
I couldn't understand why there was mat space and people not trying this! so
I kept grabbing folks and dragging them out to practice more.
More. Want MORE! pretty sticks and sharp things!!!
Phillip Akin S... a dynamic and expansive mat presence, a terrific uke!!!
and yes, compared to what little I know of Yosh, very soft and precise.
I learned a bit about weight forward and some dynamics of footwork from that
tenkan practice. Very interesting, something to chew on. Um, besides Scott.
;o)
Loved that he went around and just started throwing folks with that tenchi
nage.
I don't get Yosh, with my non-analytical brain I probably never will, but I
got something FROM it, which is the goal.
After this, I got to frolicking with Hacker and made him step on my foot.
Ow. I'm afraid I said Bad Words.
And had to spend Julian Frost S's class icing my foot.
My mouth dropped open at some of those throws, reminiscent of what cg showed
the previous two seminars. I was in that strange state of wishing I COULD be
out there on the mat and being glad I WASN'T. I think I wished more,
overall, esp after Diane taught one of the throws and it was Big Fun. I had
partnered with Julian earlier and his tenkan crunched my wrist a bit, thus
my comment about his ability to generate power. My bad ukemi, naturally,
again. Sigh.
After that it was my turn to teach.
I wasn't a bit nervous, which is odd. I wished I had more time.
Chuck wants me to post the massage routine, anyone else interested?
We got back to the hotel to discover a broken shower... and finally got to
dinner just in time to be served some really yummy Chinese food.
Too bad about those vegetarian chickens, I assume they were healthy and lean
to the end!
The party afterwards was the usual collection of silliness, though next time
I think I'd watch less vids and gab more. Not that I didn't enjoy the
videos, uh, er, enjoy making fun of them! but I didn't get to talk to folks
enough. Granted, I was kind of distracted this time round, hope to catch up
more soon.
I still think Ikeda S' expression, watching, was priceless. It was sort of
like watching one of those Giant Monster Movies where the guys flail around
in rubber suits, and yeah, it's supposed to be a horror movie, but it just
ends up hysterically horrible!
Phillip Akin S of course realized the error of his ways and converted to
aaiiiee-ki do on the spot.
I guess I should have stayed up later, for Drunken Aikido and Tarik's
Demise, but I was already tuckered out and we opted for some rest.
Alan Drysdale S's Hangover Class looked fascinating, but I found myself a
bit bleary and confused and couldn't tell an irimi from an artichoke, though
I tried. Alan and others might assure me that I managed "artichoke"
nicely several times. Wait, that was Julian's class...
Lovely stuff, efficient loops and interesting "engineering" darnit I meant
to get an autographed copy of your book! knew I forgot something. I did get
to work with Ikeda sensei on several techniques.As I have said before,
being able to grab a seriously ranked person and work on technique is just
wonderful. Thank you all for playing! Fun to be expertly and cheerfully
flung about by a fellow confused person!
Next was the newaza class, but we had to clear out of the hotel and I missed
that. Next time. Almost got into some here and there, but folks had mercy on
me and my Helpless Squeaking defense was not necessary.
We closed down with Chuck Gordon S's unusual menu, though I missed the first
part of that due to having to resuscitate Peter from whatever was ailing
him, doubtless the same thing which laid poor Tarik low.
I managed to grab St James and a wooden dowel and I think I shocked the poor
man. James, did I shock you?
I finally had to say, James, I'm from Texas, it's okay! (and as to the
issue with women training, I intend to address that at some point, I've
brought it
up a lot and thought about it a lot, Debbie).
Scott, who knows me, produced some QUITE hysterical noises upon being
squished and mashed with the "tessen" and truly did sound like Taz.
I also got to work with Frank Gordon, he has a deliberate way of moving, in
all things, which is fascinating to watch. I caught a glimpse of the pattern
of ikkyo reversed from something which spirals OUT of the center to
something which spirals IN.
Even in ikkyo irimi, most aikidoka I have seen spiral more round the center
instead of turning inward like a screw.
This was my vision of it.
It does tickle me a bit that the only teacher we've had all three seminars
doesn't even profess to teach aikido.
So if we select LOEP again, next time make HIM teach the hangover class...
Speaking of which.. the effects of altitude include magnification of the
effects of alcohol, Tarik. I'm so sorry I didn't mention that specifically
onlist.
I didn't get to train with you, dammit! Your SO is going to be a terror
when she gets on the mat.
Onward, extracting ourselves with goodbyes.. to Glenwood Springs.
Miraculous hot springs, interesting conversation, Mr Rat, venison spaghetti
and TsingTao, that incredible bike ride (going back armed with a flyrod
ASAP) crazy giant bluebirds *CHEEP!!!*, Mt Sopris, the site of ASU summer
camp, oh wow.
My only regret was that we didn't specifically train together in your dojo,
Frank, but we'll fix that ASAP. Good luck with your experiment.
I am refreshed, renewed, and inspired.
Now off to further inspiration in Lewisville with the Jiyushinkai.
mle
CST
very, very tired...
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