Goshu-Ryu SunCoast

By Stuart Gilmore

On Shodan.

Often those outside of martial arts circles see “a black belt” as the height of achievement. To those of us who have been training for some time recognise however that it is simply a way marker on the infinite path of Budo.

For me reaching Shodan is not a badge to measure others by but it is a mark of gratitude and commitment to Sensei Ryan Slavin and all those who I continue to train with and learn from on and off the mats. Without question I continue to learn from all the students, right from those with many years of training through to the new practitioner.

As I become more familiar with the art of Yoshinkan Aikido I am increasingly aware of the value of training with many differing partners. The challenge of training with taller and smaller, physically stronger, male and female students is truly a great teacher.  I also acknowledge the value of training with practitioners with varying levels of experience. To experience the differing ways that a new practitioner feels and reacts when working together; the tension of their limbs, their sometimes unpredictable movements and the challenge of connecting with and controlling or receiving ukemi with an unsure partner is a valuable resource to build and improve my own aikido.

In the early part of training we all experience frustration when one movement or technique appears to work with a certain partner and in a certain situation but not with a different partner in a different situation. Now I begin to welcome this experience and the opportunity to explore what is required to overcome this challenge and further develop my technique. Adapting this mindset opens up a whole new level of fascination and opportunity in training which I very much look forward to exploring.

When I first started training Yoshinkan Aikido I observed that the senior students often get tasked the responsibility of working with new students teaching the basics of Aikido and I remember thinking it must be tough on them not being able to train at their level with the rest of the senior peer group. I am fortunately now beginning to occasionally be allowed to work with newer students learning Aikido basics. On refection now I see being asked to work with a new student as both a great honour and privilege. To be asked to be a part of their initial welcome to the Aikido family and perhaps pass on some basic skills is an honour, and to share the joy they experience when they gain a skill for the first time that they never thought they could achieve is a true privilege. I will never forget the welcome extended by the whole Dojo community when we first arrived in Australia after immigrating from Ireland.

Training in a traditional Dojo and the path to Shodan has not just been about attaining a certain level of technical proficiency. Aikido has shaped my mindset to think a little differently about myself, consider how I may be of service to others, to seek an alternative perspective on events and reevaluate what really is important in life. I look forward to my future Aikido training and my continued development of the martial way. Enjoy the journey! OSU!

Stuart Gilmore.