Previously this site had the content and database of Aiki, a Japanese martial arts tactic which is commonly used for defense. More information about Aiki can be found here on Wikipedia. However, during the whole period when the site was alive it used to redirect to http://homepage.ntlworld.com (it is also non-existence today); which was a prime site about aikido and particularly the convictions of aikido enthusiasts in UK on the British Aikido Community (BAC).
The site was made purposely to counter some criticism, accusations and hypocrisy about aikido; which emanated from the British Board of Aikido (BAB) about the entire issue about aikido. I don’t know if the owners and contributors of the site were able to draw their point across. But the reason to redirect the site to http://homepage.ntlworld.com was possibly to enlighten aikido enthusiasts about what Aiki is all about contrary to what might have been shared or discussed on the BAB.
There is no much information that I could recover from the site as I initially intended when I purchased this domain, one because of the fact that though I love aikido; I know little about it. More importantly because the site used to redirect to another site.
However, being an aikido lover, with no training though, I decided to collect and publish some posts about aikido from some aikido lovers that I encountered. Below are some posts that I’ve published that I managed to collect. But will be looking forward to update the site with some new content soon. Hope you visit the site again.
Recent Posts:
A Troubled Life Which Needed a Breakthrough
Throughout my life I was considered an odd person by my peers. As long as I can recall, I always fell short of societal expectations and I was always despised because of this. In addition to being considered an outcast by the mainstream society. Also, I had accepted my inadequacy and believed that I was weird. Following uncountable therapy sessions, many therapists told me that I should appreciate myself in order to boost my self-esteem and confidence and fight off societal discrimination.
The only problem is that these therapists never showed me a practical approach of appreciating myself and enhancing my self esteem and confidence. That is why I am grateful to the martial arts practice of aikido for showing me a way and guiding me on how one can appreciate themselves. Hence boost their self confidence and self esteem. Although the practice of aikido originates from Japan; this amazing martial arts practice can be used by anybody in the world to revamp their lives.
Overcoming a Troubled Life by Embracing Aikido Training
On the other hand, I was born and raised in a highly dysfunctional family. After witnessing my father physically abusing my mother during my younger years, the monster vanished and he never returned to our home again. After my father left, my mother became depressive and became an alcoholic.
Following these occurrences, I was raised as an only child by single alcoholic mother who hurled insults at me throughout my childhood. I almost succumbed to obesity as a young teenager; making me the mocking point of my entire school and neighborhood.
Nonetheless, I managed to solve my weight problem when I joined high school bit my peers would not see past the point that I was the weirdo with the alcoholic mother. Additionally, my past humiliations had a long-lasting emotional and psychological effect on me. Always, I have been overly shy and I could never talk to a girl until I was in college.
After joining college, my life improved a bit and I was able to fit in, albeit poorly. I started dating; but my relationships did not last due to my emotional handicap. Then I was introduced to aikido by a good friend and classmate, who ended up becoming my current girlfriend, Lilly.
Experiencing Changes After Taking Aikido Lessons
Lilly took an interest in me after she noticed my odd behavior in class and she sought me out for a talk. She was very strong and determined to learn about my past. But I shut her out completely. She told me how she had been raised as an orphan in an abusive homestead and how she had overcome the past using aikido. I could not believe that such a confident woman could have originated in such a pitiful past. That is when I decided to give it a try.
Be that as it may, I enrolled in a training class and started attending practice sessions. The change was remarkable. After learning the conventional martial arts training on physical combat, we were taught other aspects of life; such as self-control and positivity. We were introduced to the spiritual and philosophical tenets of aikido; and how one can use their weaknesses as strengths. It’s very effective. I started regaining my self esteem and confidence. After attending the training for almost a year; everyone in class noted my change and even my alcoholic mother started respecting me.
As a matter of fact, I embraced my strengths, focused on the positives; as well as overcame past prejudices. I am now in my final year of college and I am very proud of myself. Not to mention, I am also proud of my life changing girlfriend and the wonderful life training of aikido.
My Inspiration and Love for Aikido
I was always fascinated with all types of physical training methods and techniques when I watched their application in movies. Just like every other kid, I was amazed by the fighting prowess exhibited by martial arts stars in action movies. However, my martial arts fascination was mainly a fantasy that I never thought I could achieve or even practice. However, my childhood dream of practicing martial arts was realized in the most unlikely way. Several years ago, I was introduced to a Japanese form of martial arts called aikido; by one of my friends to ease a painful episode of my life.
Anyhow, I was undergoing a painful breakup after my wife cheated on me and I was at the lowest time of my life. At this time, a friend and work colleague told me that his wife had overcome some awful childhood experiences by joining a martial arts class. He suggested that I should talk to his wife regarding the practice so that she could explain the details on how aikido had transformed her life. She narrated the following amazing story, which influenced my decision to join an aikido class and I never regretted my decision.
A Painful Life Which Robbed Self Confidence
My friend’s wife Jane has suffered perhaps the most painful life I have ever known. The most amazing thing is that you can never tell of her past experiences unless she tells it. She is very strong, wonderful, and fun for a person who has suffered these things. Jane’s mother put her up for adoption when she was a very young girl. Jane was adopted by a couple who turned out to be the worst parents ever. Her new father sexually abused her when she was barely a teenager. On the other hand, his wife started drinking heavily after his husband became a monster.
The wife committed suicide after learning that her husband was molesting Jane. After her mother died, Jane could not take the abuse anymore and she ran off to live on the streets when she was only fourteen. She was involved in many terrible things; from drugs to prostitution. After living on the streets for three years, Jane was introduced to aikido by some people who helped to rehabilitate street kids.
Renewed Hope After Joining Aikido Classes
She joined an aikido class and the trainer helped to wean her off drugs. She practiced enthusiastically and regained her self confidence. The physical aspect of the training helped her to gain physical proficiency. However, the most important part of the training, according to Jane, was the spiritual and mental training. She learned how to handle stress, self-control techniques, how to relax, and how to embrace a positive outlook on life. One of the tenets of aikido is the betterment of an individual’s everyday life.
After revamping her self confidence, Jane secured a job and she started living a normal life. She pursued aikido until she completed all the training levels. She also met a wonderful man during the training sessions and they ended up getting married. Her life seemed to be back on course as she settled down to start a normal family. She even tracked her biological mother; who turned up to be serving time in prison. Then bad luck struck again.
Devastation and Unwavering Strength Dies; but Rekindled by Aikido
After giving birth to their first child, Jane’s husband was involved in a traffic accident and he died. Jane was devastated. Her daughter was barely two years old when her husband died. She started slipping into depression and she was both sad and angry. On learning about her sad predicament, members of her former aikido class rushed to comfort her. They organized weekly meetings and training sessions aimed at reviving their mental and physical strength. She was able to survive; as well as overcome this tragic episode in her life due to the mental and spiritual strength she gained from aikido.
Later she met my friend and they married and are now raising an adorable family of three kids. I joined aikido to tap into the mental and spiritual benefits advocated by Jane. All I can say is that I managed to overcome my predicament due to aikido. I really appreciate this amazing martial arts practice.
Rediscovering the Fullness of Life with Aikido
I have always considered many spiritual and philosophical doctrines on enjoying life to be commercialized products destined to influence consumer spending; by huge corporations and cunning intellectuals. This notion has always been perpetuated by the endless stream of teachings and advice propagated by mainstream media regarding ways of improving oneself and one’s life. However, several years ago I was introduced to an unexpected form of practice that changed my life; as well as altered my entire perception regarding activities that can enhance joy in a person’s life. I am talking about a Japanese type of martial arts known as aikido.
I lost everything that was so important to me…
However, I had been going through a depressing period after losing my job, house, as well as a very beautiful girlfriend; whom I had engaged and was planning to marry. Following these catastrophic developments; I sank into one of the most depressing periods in my life. Therefore, I have always regarded myself to be a survivor; and having conquered tough situations in the past, I thought I could get past this period. However, these occurrences took a very tough hit on me and my well-being.
That is when I met a total stranger in a bar and noticing my sorrowful state we struck up a conversation. He was a very good listener. He told me that he could help me out. After contacting him later, he introduced me to aikido; and I got control of my life back.
Turning a Shattered Future Around by Embracing Aikido
My problems started after the Great Recession of 2008. I had been living the life of my dreams before the financial world came crashing and I crashed with it. However, I had secured a job in my dream career as a landscaper in a small; but prestigious company. Then I had my own place and I had been in a constant relationship with a wonderful and beautiful girlfriend. I had proposed to my girlfriend several months before the financial crisis. After all, everything turned around and my future was shattered after the financial crisis.
It started with the bad news that the company was shutting down. This was because there were no real estate jobs on the market following the property cash. After losing my job, I was thrown out of my apartment after the mortgaging bank fell. All this while, my girlfriend stood by me and comforted me. However, after several months of unsuccessful job searching, my girlfriend drove the last nail into my coffin. She dumped me and left the country to seek greener pastures abroad.
This was the end; I did not have a home or a job and no one to lean on. I was given shelter by some friends. But I started drinking heavily and sinking into depression. Then I met Sam in a bar and he talked me into joining aikido.
At Last Aikido Helped me Live a Purposeful Life
Nonetheless, I started attending aikido classes with little hope of gaining anything useful from the martial arts practice. However, we started learning other aspects of aikido that I did not know existed in martial arts. We were taught spirituality and philosophical doctrines; as well as how to embrace situations and hope for the best. Our aikido teacher taught us to hope and embrace the fullness of life and believe in the betterment of current life situations. After attending the sessions for two months, I changed my negative perspective on life. Then I became vibrant and positive and started searching for a job aggressively.
The training made me to become more self confident and to believe in the best always. I secured a job after sometime and I settled down to rebuild my future in a bid to enjoy the fullness of life as prescribed by aikido. Also, I have gained a solid foothold in life and I am now in a secure financial position. I am also involved in a serious relationship. Aikido transformed my life and rejuvenated my faltering hope.
Changing a Child’s Life with Aikido
Several years ago, I would have laughed aloud if anyone told me that I would ever consider practicing martial arts. The truth is that like most people; I was ignorant regarding an important aspect and a core element of martial arts, mental intention and spirituality. Then I got a taste of the famous Japanese martial arts style called aikido; as well as my life and that of my nephew changed. After witnessing the practice of aikido and interacting with some of its practitioners, I discovered that martial arts incorporated physical, mental, spiritual; and even philosophical doctrines.
Essentially, the physical training constitutes the most important aspect of the training; however, aikido also emphasizes self-control and spirituality in an equal measure. I turned to aikido when my orphaned nephew seemed lost in life and the martial arts practice changed his life. Today, I am all for martial arts; and I have even helped several people to embrace the art and join the training.
A Troubled Childhood Which Needed Urgent Attention
My nephew Tim was only six years old when his home was attacked by armed robbers. The robbery did not go well and the robbers panicked and shot both his parents dead as young Tim watched. I adopted Tim after his parents passed away and decided to raise him like my own child. My wife could not conceive and it seemed like a blessing in disguise having Tim as our kid. Tim was a really sweet kid. I was the cool uncle.
After joining our family, we adored the kid and spoilt him in the hope of wiping his troubled past from his mind. However, the kid had suffered a rather traumatic experience when his parents were murdered and this was affecting his life. He started having problems at school and I was called to several meetings after he got into fights with his age mates in school. I tried talking to him. But he seemed to block any attempts to reveal his inner thoughts and troubles.
After all, I sought the help of a counselor. But the kid became enraged at the suggestion of seeing a therapist. At around this time, I got a job away from my birth place; and this is when things turned ugly. The kid became errant and my wife was always on the phone complaining. Finally, I discovered that things were very bad when my wife threatened to leave me unless I got rid of Tim.
The Aikido Solution Which Restored Order
However, I was forced to take a ling leave of absence from work in order to handle the Tim situation at home. When I came home, I found an endless list of all the bad things that the kid had done. Nevertheless, I decided that the cool uncle approach was not working; and I sat the boy down for a lecture. After threatening to kick him from my home; he confided that he acted irrationally because he was afraid. He said he was always afraid of suffering his parents’ fate. That is why he could not even control his rage. The reason was because he was always trying to protect himself.
After the talk, we went out to the mall for some ice cream as I deliberated on what to do. At the mall, we noticed a room of people practicing martial arts and the boy seemed very interested. He asked if we could watch and I agreed. After watching for thirty minutes, the boy was over enthusiastic about joining the class. He claimed that he wanted to learn martial arts in order to protect himself.
When I approached the trainer
Be that as it may, I approached the trainer after the practice session. We had a lengthy talk. The man introduced us to the concept of aikido and on learning of Tim’s problem; he was confident that it was worth a try. Tim started practicing aikido and within two weeks he was a changed boy.
In addition to physical training, they were taught mental intention and self control. The training involved relaxation techniques, spirituality, and an emphasis of love and compassion to others. Several weeks after joining the aikido class; Tim resumed school and his teachers were as amazed as we were with his transformation. Three years later; Tim is focused and happy and his transformation has influenced me to take up aikido.
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