First Grading: Gokyu

It was scary, it was intense. My body and mind pushed into overdrive. As my instructor - he doesn't like to be called Sensei - is fond of saying "We push through the pain, and find something new". (Well, he also enjoys saying “Don’t just stand there like a gingerbread man”, but gingerbread men were the furthest things from my mind). I certainly found a measure of the pain he was referring to.

The camcorder was setup just off to the side, half a dozen other students filing in to sit in seiza position on the training mats. My instructor and another instructor from nearby dojo converse at the side, flicking over the grading syllabus.

I'm called to the front, we bow to the Shomen, and we begin. The grading panel call out the techniques and as my Uke attacks me using different motions of attack, I perform the requested technique.

After what seems a short time the grading ends, my instructor congratulates me. I pass, with flying colour apparently (and unofficially).

I have reached the first graded level of Aikido Kenkyukai: Gokyu.

It was more than a little intimidating. I was the only student grading out of all of my peers - all of us having started at roughly the same time in our dojo. It looks that on this occasion my commitment and mental training has paid off though, I pushed through with it and have achieved my very first Aikido goal.

Now to maintain the standard consistently.

Alternative Chinese Medicine: Aka Herbs!!

(Beijing Tong Ren Tang: Alternative
Chinese Herbalists)

T he TCM herbalist only spoke Cantonese, but luckily my partner was able to attend and translate for us.

It would be wonderful if GP's could be as attentive and curious as this particular TCM herbalist was towards my symptoms and possible diagnosis. Within a short period of time he had my complete trust, and although I was speaking through my partner to him I couldn't help but feel incredibly appreciative to have his advice and diagnosis.

A week and a half on the herbs have left me feeling incredibly elated and energetic. It is (almost!) a joy to wake up every morning, and at night time the bed feels so wonderfully comfortable and inviting. It's difficult to explain the effect these herbs seem to have had on me.

A week into the treatment left me with a slight case of acne, though this is being managed quite well with frequent facial washes throughout the day.

Aikido training has been incredible while I have been on these herbs. My stamina seems to have increased tenfold, and my symptoms have so far not repeated themselves or shown any sign of returning. Whether or not these great benefits continue when I discontinue the herbal treatments is another story.

I hope the benefits are not temporary. At $120 for a weeks worth of herbal soup, as wonderful (though terribly bitter) as the concoction has proven to be, really is not an affordable option for me on a long term basis.

Only time will tell.

Symptoms of Adjustment

(ECG: Electrocardiogram)

W hile the benefits of Aikido are almost too numerous to count, potential drawbacks need to be considered.

It took my body a whole month to adjust to the Aikido training regimen, the stretches and training techniques shocking my body to a whole new level of functional performance.

Following the initial bodily aches and pains, I was visited with knee and ankle discomfort, something which I still occasionally experience but only after extensive sitting in the seiza position (try sitting on your legs for half an hour and tell me you still feel comfortable!)

Where does this leave me?

Within the past 6 months, on at least four occasions, I have experienced dizziness, nausea, light headedness, weakness of limbs, and overall exhaustion.

Blood pressure? The search continues, and my GP has yet to be of much help in this regard. In the mean time, after having had preliminary heart and function tests I have turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine.