New Shodan on the block
May. 31st, 2003 09:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zenmondoWell it actually happened, the world did not come to an end, I gave my presentation, and am now a 1st Degree Black Belt in Aikido.
My mind is swimming with thoughts about it, I'm sure it will trickle through my journal in the days (weeks? months? years?). I'm pretty buzzed and exhausted at the same time.
For those that could not make it, my best friend will be capturing the video "sometime soon", and after I get the file, I will start making video-cd's and mail them out.
But to tide you over, here is my outline and text of my presentation:
Tadhg Bird
Black Belt Presentation
May 31, 2003
I. Bokken Purification
II. Opening Randori
Music: Konichiwa – Shonen Knife
III. Introduction and Greeting
Hello. Thank you everyone for being here.
I first learned about Aikido when I was in Junior High, reading Black Belt Magazine. After I read everything in the magazine about ninjas, and drooled over the ads for ninja stars and nun-chucks, I would come across an article once and while about Aikido. Mostly these were stories about an amazing old man doing amazing things. Making himself so heavy that he could not be lifted, then making himself so light as to be able to walk on teacups. Throwing people with just his voice. Holding a man down with just one finger. At the time all I could think was, "He would make a great ninja!"
When I finally made it to High School, I had given up my dreams of being a Ninja, and had a new dream of being a performer. I signed up for a dance class, and my teachers were students of John Smartt. So they arranged an Aikido lesson for us dancers. That day, I had my first real taste of Aikido. That taste has stayed with me, since that day in 1989. The path I started upon that day, has now lead me here.
My name is Tadhg Bird, and this is my Aikido.
IV. Aikido as poetry
Music: Ulali
Techniques: Kokyu Nage, Irimi Nage, Jiyu Waza, randori
Some of you are probably wondering why everyone calls me "Tadhg" since when you met me, my name was "Christopher". I started using the name Tadhg about 5 years ago, it's an Irish name that means "Poet". At the time, "Poet" is what I thought described me best. Poetry has always been very important to me. Now when I say "poetry" I don't just means words on a page that sound nice. To me, a poem is anything that can express your soul. For some people its words and song, for others it can simply be the way they walk or hold a spoon while eating soup. Poetry is all around us.
Aikido has been called a Martial Art, and we who perform Aikido, Martial Artists. But if you ask me, it's just another form of Poetry, and I want to be a Martial Poet. I give you Aikido as Poetry.
V. Aikido as play
Music: Favorite Things – Coltrane
Techniques: Kotegaeshi, Shiho Nage
Lets face it, next to waterslides, Aikido is one of the funnest things you can do with your body. Sometimes I like to just abandon myself to the pure joy I can get by doing Aikido. There was a time when Aikido was ALL about fun, but I learned to temper that with serious training as well. But there are still times when I find my playful attitude resurfacing. It seems that I have the most fun with Knife taking, and Shiho Nage. Yep, you KNEW that Shiho would have to play a role sometime today. After the presentation I will be circulating a petition to have this technique re-named Tadhg-o Nage. Just kidding. Ok, now on to my favorite things.
I give you Aikido as play.
VI. Aikido as prayer
Music: Peace Prayer
Techniques: Suwari Waza, Tenchi Nage,
O Sensei once said, "My true budo principles enlighten religions and lead them to completion."
A saying I picked up somewhere says that if you are a Buddhist, Aikido will make you a better Buddhist, if you are Christian, Aikido will make you a better Christian. And in my case, I guess if I am a Celtic Traditionalist Polytheistic Pagan with Zen Leanings, Aikido will make me a Better Celtic Traditionalist Polytheistic Pagan with Zen leanings.
In my life, I have prayed to many Gods, Goddesses, Saints, Buddhas, Spirits, Kami, and Ancestors.
I think no other prayer has touched me more deeply than the Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. In this prayer, he asks nothing for himself, but instead yearns with all his heart to have God work through him, healing the world and bringing the peace of God to all those he encounters.
I take up the prayer of St. Francis, appropriately enough on my knees. I give you Aikido as Prayer.
VII. Aikido as party (celebration)
Music: Its All Too Much – The Beatles.
Techniques: Aikido Mai, Go Shin Mai, Jiyu Waza, Randori
Well, I've done Poetry, Play, and Prayer now, but what are we really here for today? Celebration! This last portion of my presentation is not just to celebrate getting a black belt, but for us to celebrate whatever is in our hearts. We are here to celebrate the love within our hearts, and love that shines all around us. We are here to celebrate being with those we love, and our dear, dear friends. We are here to celebrate all that the world has in store for us. We are here to celebrate just being with one another.
I give you Aikido as Party.
VIII. Ending Comments
Well, here I am, at the culmination of my Aikido career so far, that began that spring day back in 1989 when my dance teachers thought I could pick up a thing or too from their Sensei. Something said that day has influenced what I have done today. When I first met Sensei Smartt, he challenged all of us from the dance class by saying, "Name three things you would gain from a Black Belt in Aikido." The most common response was, "being able to defend myself". Julian was there that day, I remember his answers, "A million dollars, a fast car, and a big house." Good Luck with that Julian. I remember what I said as well. "A fit body, a quick mind, and really baggy pants". Well the day is here. I am about to become a black belt in Aikido. I guess I'll have to settle for one out of the three.
Domo Arigato Gozaimashita! Thank you very much!
Plus, an Animated Gif of one technique, taken with my dad's webcam(!!!).
My mind is swimming with thoughts about it, I'm sure it will trickle through my journal in the days (weeks? months? years?). I'm pretty buzzed and exhausted at the same time.
For those that could not make it, my best friend will be capturing the video "sometime soon", and after I get the file, I will start making video-cd's and mail them out.
But to tide you over, here is my outline and text of my presentation:
Tadhg Bird
Black Belt Presentation
May 31, 2003
I. Bokken Purification
II. Opening Randori
Music: Konichiwa – Shonen Knife
III. Introduction and Greeting
Hello. Thank you everyone for being here.
I first learned about Aikido when I was in Junior High, reading Black Belt Magazine. After I read everything in the magazine about ninjas, and drooled over the ads for ninja stars and nun-chucks, I would come across an article once and while about Aikido. Mostly these were stories about an amazing old man doing amazing things. Making himself so heavy that he could not be lifted, then making himself so light as to be able to walk on teacups. Throwing people with just his voice. Holding a man down with just one finger. At the time all I could think was, "He would make a great ninja!"
When I finally made it to High School, I had given up my dreams of being a Ninja, and had a new dream of being a performer. I signed up for a dance class, and my teachers were students of John Smartt. So they arranged an Aikido lesson for us dancers. That day, I had my first real taste of Aikido. That taste has stayed with me, since that day in 1989. The path I started upon that day, has now lead me here.
My name is Tadhg Bird, and this is my Aikido.
IV. Aikido as poetry
Music: Ulali
Techniques: Kokyu Nage, Irimi Nage, Jiyu Waza, randori
Some of you are probably wondering why everyone calls me "Tadhg" since when you met me, my name was "Christopher". I started using the name Tadhg about 5 years ago, it's an Irish name that means "Poet". At the time, "Poet" is what I thought described me best. Poetry has always been very important to me. Now when I say "poetry" I don't just means words on a page that sound nice. To me, a poem is anything that can express your soul. For some people its words and song, for others it can simply be the way they walk or hold a spoon while eating soup. Poetry is all around us.
Aikido has been called a Martial Art, and we who perform Aikido, Martial Artists. But if you ask me, it's just another form of Poetry, and I want to be a Martial Poet. I give you Aikido as Poetry.
V. Aikido as play
Music: Favorite Things – Coltrane
Techniques: Kotegaeshi, Shiho Nage
Lets face it, next to waterslides, Aikido is one of the funnest things you can do with your body. Sometimes I like to just abandon myself to the pure joy I can get by doing Aikido. There was a time when Aikido was ALL about fun, but I learned to temper that with serious training as well. But there are still times when I find my playful attitude resurfacing. It seems that I have the most fun with Knife taking, and Shiho Nage. Yep, you KNEW that Shiho would have to play a role sometime today. After the presentation I will be circulating a petition to have this technique re-named Tadhg-o Nage. Just kidding. Ok, now on to my favorite things.
I give you Aikido as play.
VI. Aikido as prayer
Music: Peace Prayer
Techniques: Suwari Waza, Tenchi Nage,
O Sensei once said, "My true budo principles enlighten religions and lead them to completion."
A saying I picked up somewhere says that if you are a Buddhist, Aikido will make you a better Buddhist, if you are Christian, Aikido will make you a better Christian. And in my case, I guess if I am a Celtic Traditionalist Polytheistic Pagan with Zen Leanings, Aikido will make me a Better Celtic Traditionalist Polytheistic Pagan with Zen leanings.
In my life, I have prayed to many Gods, Goddesses, Saints, Buddhas, Spirits, Kami, and Ancestors.
I think no other prayer has touched me more deeply than the Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. In this prayer, he asks nothing for himself, but instead yearns with all his heart to have God work through him, healing the world and bringing the peace of God to all those he encounters.
I take up the prayer of St. Francis, appropriately enough on my knees. I give you Aikido as Prayer.
VII. Aikido as party (celebration)
Music: Its All Too Much – The Beatles.
Techniques: Aikido Mai, Go Shin Mai, Jiyu Waza, Randori
Well, I've done Poetry, Play, and Prayer now, but what are we really here for today? Celebration! This last portion of my presentation is not just to celebrate getting a black belt, but for us to celebrate whatever is in our hearts. We are here to celebrate the love within our hearts, and love that shines all around us. We are here to celebrate being with those we love, and our dear, dear friends. We are here to celebrate all that the world has in store for us. We are here to celebrate just being with one another.
I give you Aikido as Party.
VIII. Ending Comments
Well, here I am, at the culmination of my Aikido career so far, that began that spring day back in 1989 when my dance teachers thought I could pick up a thing or too from their Sensei. Something said that day has influenced what I have done today. When I first met Sensei Smartt, he challenged all of us from the dance class by saying, "Name three things you would gain from a Black Belt in Aikido." The most common response was, "being able to defend myself". Julian was there that day, I remember his answers, "A million dollars, a fast car, and a big house." Good Luck with that Julian. I remember what I said as well. "A fit body, a quick mind, and really baggy pants". Well the day is here. I am about to become a black belt in Aikido. I guess I'll have to settle for one out of the three.
Domo Arigato Gozaimashita! Thank you very much!
Plus, an Animated Gif of one technique, taken with my dad's webcam(!!!).
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-05-31 10:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-06-01 12:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-05-31 11:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-06-01 12:56 pm (UTC)But yeah, I'm certified to kick ass and take names now... in a non-violent, non-injurous, non-resistive way.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-01 08:21 pm (UTC)That is so utterly and completely cool. I keep talking about taking a self defense class just so that I know how to conquer people. I doubt I'd ever actually hurt someone, but it would be fun to say I could do it.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-01 08:30 pm (UTC)Seriously, if you want some self-defense I'll take you to the dojo one of these days, and get you signed up for your free introductory lessons. Aikido costs nothing to try at my dojo.
Actually, in my case it costs nothing. I'm actually too poor to handle tuition, so my Sensei lets me work in gratitude for my training. You see, he sees Aikido as Shugyosha, if someone can't pay it does not keep them from training. Though, I have been able to bring in some money for the dojo through my teaching, so I feel better about that.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-01 09:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-06-01 12:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-06-01 06:49 pm (UTC)You should be very proud of yourself.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-01 08:06 pm (UTC)