Guy Michelier - Sandan essay (12/28/2023)

Ai (Harmony/Balance)
Ki (Energy/Life)
Do (Way/Path)
 
Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba, also known as O’Sensei, a Japanese martial artist, in the early 20th century. Born on December 14, 1883, in Tanabe, Japan, Ueshiba began studying martial arts at a young age, training in various styles, including jujutsu and kenjutsu.

The development of Aikido was influenced by Ueshiba’s martial arts background, as well as his spiritual and philosophical beliefs. Ueshiba was deeply influenced by the Omoto-kyo religion, a new religious movement in Japan that incorporated Shinto beliefs and emphasized the pursuit of harmony and enlightenment.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Ueshiba continued to refine his martial arts skills and began to formulate his own martial art, which he initially called “Aiki Budo.” The term “Aiki” refers to the principle of blending with and redirecting an opponent’s force rather than opposing it directly. Ueshiba aimed to create a martial art that was not focused on defeating an opponent but rather on neutralizing aggression while protecting both the defender and the attacker from harm.

As Ueshiba’s martial art evolved, he changed the name to Aikido in the post-World War II era. “Aikido” can be translated as “the way of harmony with the spirit” or “the way of unifying life energy.” The name reflects the central philosophy of Aikido, which emphasizes blending with and redirecting an opponent’s energy in a harmonious and non-destructive way.

Morihei Ueshiba continued to teach and develop Aikido until his death on April 26, 1969. Today, Aikido is practiced worldwide and has various styles and interpretations, but the core principles of harmonizing with an opponent’s energy remain central to its philosophy.

I started my martial art training in France with Karate Shotokan method back in the early 70s when I was 18 years old. I was young, in great shape, no pain whatsoever, and felt invincible, as I am sure was the case for many of us at that age. I obtained my brown belt before coming to the United States in 1977. After my arrival I tried to find a martial art dojo first for Karate but unfortunately I could not find what I was really looking for because I was primarily focused on the “Budo” spirit found in many martial art sports.

What is Budo.
 
“Budo” is a Japanese term that translates to “martial way” or “martial path.” It encompasses the philosophy and ethical code associated with traditional Japanese martial arts. Budo goes beyond mere physical techniques and emphasizes the development of one’s character, moral virtues, and a holistic approach to personal growth.

The concept of Budo incorporates values such as respect, humility, discipline, and self-control. Practitioners are not only focused on improving their physical skills but also on cultivating a strong and virtuous character. The ultimate goal of Budo is not just to prevail in combat or training but also to achieve a harmonious balance of the mind, body, and spirit. These skills were very much the focus of O’Sensei hence Aikido.

Various martial arts disciplines, such as Judo, Kendo, Karate, Aikido, incorporate Budo principles into their training methodologies. These arts often have a strong emphasis on Dojo etiquette, and a code of conduct on or off the matt that extends beyond the training and into everyday life. In Budo, the idea is to develop not just effective martial techniques but also to become a better, more balanced individual. It’s important to note that while Budo is deeply rooted in Japanese martial arts traditions, similar philosophies are present in martial arts from other cultures as well. The emphasis on personal development, discipline, and ethical conduct is a common thread in many traditional martial arts around the world.

I arrived in Davis in the early 80’s and started Aikido with A.I.D at the age of 50, which is rather late and challenging. On December 7, 2013, I obtained my Shodan rank followed by Nidan on May 25, 2017 and Sandan on December 16, 2023. During that period I experienced many various pains and aches some due to the natural part and signs of aging particularly in the joints area and others because of accidents. However, I ignored the small ones because of my love of Aikido and the important connections it gives me to be on the matt training with my fellow Ukes and Senpais.

Some of the various meanings of body pain.
 
Stimulus: Pain often begins with a noxious stimulus, such as physical injury, inflammation, or tissue damage. Nociceptors, specialized nerve endings in the body, detect these stimuli.
Transmission: Once nociceptors detect a harmful stimulus, they send electrical signals to the spinal cord through nerve fibers. These signals travel up the spinal cord to the brain.
Processing in the Brain: The brain receives and processes these signals in various regions, including the thalamus and the somatosensory cortex. The brain interprets the signals and produces the sensation of pain.
Perception: The perception of pain is influenced by various factors, including emotional state, past experiences, cultural background, and individual pain thresholds. This is why different people can perceive the same stimulus differently.
Joint pain: Also known as arthralgia, can occur for various reasons and in different parts of the body. It is often a symptom rather than a condition on its own. Here are some common causes of joint pain:
Inflammation: Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis) can cause pain in the joints. Inflammation can lead to swelling, stiffness, and discomfort.
Injury: Trauma or injury to a joint, such as sprains or strains, can cause pain. This can result from accidents, overuse, or repetitive stress on the joint.
Infection: Joint pain can also be a result of infections, such as bacterial or viral infections affecting the joints.
Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, like in rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to joint pain.
Degenerative Changes: As people age, the cartilage in joints may wear down, leading to conditions like osteoarthritis, which can cause pain and stiffness.
Other Medical Conditions: Various other medical conditions, such as gout or lupus, can also contribute to joint pain.
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It’s important to note that any serious pain should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment. Treatment may involve medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or, in some cases, surgical intervention.
 
My Aikido journey to Sandan.
 
During my Aikido training from age 50 to 70, I experienced most if not many of these different pains and aches and I ignored them because I assumed they were temporary. My belief was that as long as I kept my body moving and in shape these pains will go away. That was my mistake to assume they will. The one thing I totally underestimated was the age factor. After over twenty years of martial practice, I now realize that my journey was with a great level of physical challenges to say the least. My disregard for the minor and debilitating pains I experienced was my responsibility and I should have listen to my body more closely. However, I do not regret one second of all my years of Aikido training with the “Aikido Institute of Davis”. Frankly, Aikido is perfect for me because it can be done at any age any anyone young or old. I could not find a better practice and dojo than the one I am currently training with including all the wonderful members from Sensei to Senpais, and Kohais. All of you are part of my Aikido family.
 
My final thoughts, personal views, and recommendations.
 
A.   Always listen to your body and take any serious pain seriously on and off the matt.
 
B.   Be mindful towards your physical limitations for any techniques or sports your body is not ready to do that could worsen the pain.
 
C.   Care for your body and rest if necessary regardless of how much time one may have to stay off the matt. It is your body, you only have one, and no one else knows it better than yourself.
 
D.   Defensive techniques such as those we carefully practice in Aikido are good for the body and for the mind and I encourage anyone to give it a try by signing up for the new four classes introductory course starting in March 2024.
 
I would like to thank my Aikido family for your generous love, friendship, training, and being part of my Aikido journey.
 
Guy Michelier
12/2023