Articles

Aikido Reflections: On Training, Teaching, and Growing

Written by Rebecca Roth

Aikido has been a cherished part of my life for a long time. I have had the privilege of training in a variety of locations and styles throughout my life. I was introduced to aikido through my father, William Marsh, who encouraged me to start aikido when I was around 10. My first teacher was Tai Unno and I have fond memories of training with my friend Nan learning basic etiquette, ukemi and techniques. In later summers, I trained with Chiba Sensei students, Paul and Lorraine Sylvaine. I remember their seriousness, their attention to good posture and zanshin as well as lots of situps to strengthen the core. I also experienced the social aspect of aikido with after class gatherings and helping aikidoka move.

During university, aikido dojos were too far so I studied hapkido for several years. After graduate school and three kids, I restarted aikido and attended classes when babysitting would permit at Kanai Sensei’s dojo and Gleason Sensei’s dojo. I enjoyed the technical attention to detail at New England Aikikai and enjoyed the fluidity, emphasis on connection, weapons work and interesting perspectives at Shob Aikido of Boston. During this time, I studied Iaido for several years with Vu Ha Sensei at New England Aikikai and taught children’s classes at Shobu AIkido of Boston. I then moved to Toronto and trained with Greg Angus Sensei who kindly encouraged me to take my shodan test in 2012 and my nidan test in 2024. I have benefited from the emphasis on relaxation, connection, centering, the attention to detail and the overall spirit and community at Naka Ima Aikikai very much. I have also enjoyed attending seminars with a variety of instructors and continue to enjoy seeing things from different perspectives.

Aikido has helped my body, mind, and spirit grow. It has given my body strength and fluidity. Simply learning to roll and fall has saved me from injury. The attitude of relaxation and allowing attackers to pass by has helped my life in general. It has engaged my mind with a variety of empty handed and weapons techniques. It has sharpened my focus on my breath, on my feet, on my center, on my posture, on my position, and on my awareness of myself, my partner and on those around me. I continue to work on polishing my spirit. As uke, I strive to attack with intention, to blend, to connect and to allow my partner to get the most from their practice. As nage, I attempt to receive, connect, put myself in a good position and choose not to harm. Aikido provides endless possibilities to relax, breathe, extend ki, keep weight underside, keep one point, move with cat feet, keep good posture, keep connection, feel my partner’s center and try to do whatever technique or principle the teacher is trying to show. There is always something new to learn and experience.

Finally, I am thankful to have met my fellow aikidoka on and off the mat who have been drawn to this beautiful martial art, I am thankful to have lived in this time to experience the ripples of O’Sensei’s vision, and I am thankful for the instructors who have dedicated their lives to teaching this practice that makes people and the world a bit better.