Practice makes perfect

After last week's blip on the attendance horizon, this week we had almost the full complement of beginners from the course as well as a few extras from other nights and a new guy looking to get back into aikido. In total there were nine people on the mat.

This lesson was week number nine out of the ten week course. That means that next week will be the last session and the course attendees will be taking part in an optional grading. I say it is optional but of course the only way of getting out of it is not to turn up. Perhaps that is a bad thing to say as it may discourage anyone reading this from coming along next week. Suffice to say the grading is the first of many in the long line of tests that anyone looking to continue with aikido is likely to undertake and at this level we really aren't looking to trip people up but rather allow them an opportunity to assess what they have learnt over the course.

What I have noticed over the last few weeks is how some people seem to have picked things up much faster than others. Taking into account prior levels of coordination or experience I can only say that the differences in ability at this stage are driven by the differences in attendance. Those who have missed up to half of the classes are still struggling with a lot of what is being shown whereas those who have managed to come more regularly seem to be more comfortable with the movements. Those who have been training more than once a week really look a lot better in their shape, posture and confidence.

This is not an attack on people not turning up. I am just making an observation. Aikido is always going to be a pastime for most people and it is important that family, friends and work are given due respect. Without a strong basis in these things it is unlikely that you will be able to sustain a happy and prosperous practice in aikido anyway. I have seen a number of people who have thrown everything into their practice for a few years but something happened and they end up stopping altogether. I have also seen a lot of people who have tried to dip in and out of practice but ultimately become frustrated at their lack of progress and also disappear.

Until you are completely hooked and willing to make serious life decisions about aikido, a healthy training schedule is two sessions per week. This allows you to have a life outside of aikido but also keeps the mind and body focused to allow a reasonable improvement. Far more important is that you set aside what time you decide upon as non-negotiable. This means that you commit to going to aikido at that time, every time. No excuses. It is easy to say, "Well, it is so-and-so's leaving drinks so may be I'll just skip training just this week." But there is always something that can get in the way and before you know it you have not been for weeks and then it is really hard to motivate yourself to restart training. Bye bye aikido.

So be conservative and realistic about your training but also try to be rigorous and disciplined and before long you will be getting better and hopefully enjoying it too.