path

As mentioned in one of the previous posts, I had learned about the concept that through some movements, even some very simple ones, it is believed that enlightment can be achieved. I have been focusing harder on body movement, state of mind, connection and openness for about a month or so, and I think I realised some interesting points.

As I teach aikido to children I often think about teaching methods. Kids' attention (in addition to respect) has to be earned as they are not as patient as adults who come to training and can listen to whatever sensei says even if he talks for an hour (he does not, btw). Kids can't practice iriminage for 10 minutes, they get bored after 2. So I need to find what is effective, what is useful, what is fun. Although I don't teach adults regularly, kids' classes and adults' classes I train in give me some idea about how I should teach children, and how I should teach adults when I get to that situation some time. The following paragraphs describe two basic methods/approaches to get to the state of 'perfect' aikido.