Dojo Moms and Deshi Connections


Last week was the first scheduled kyu (white belt ranks) tests since I've been at New York Aikikai. As most people who practice aikido know the weeks leading up to a test are full of extracurricular practice and who better to practice with than the people who never leave the dojo, the deshi. As if we weren't on the mat for five to six hours a day to begin with a never ending line of people asked to practice before, inbetween, and after classes. To my curiocity I was pretty much one of the only deshi that the members asked for help. After the first week of tutoring I started to notice the benefits.

Linna Lee, a mother of two who was preparing for her third kyu test just so happens to own a bakery in China Town...hmmmmm. She has since been one of my main sources of food not to mention the occational bag of pasta, pastries, candy, and Gatorade.

Jorien who was preparing for her fourh kyu test just so happens to manage a bar in mid-town Manhattan with a nearly unlimited supply of free drink cards and happens to be damn good at massage as well.

And Chris who was also getting ready for his fourth kyu test owns a bar/coffee shop in Brooklyn. I've spent many a weekend night in there without spending a dime...possibly one of the most important things to a NY Akikai deshi :)

Like I've said before, this isn't exactly glamorous but I'm definitely seeing the perks.


The tests themselves went quite well. Everyone passed, the highest rank tested for was second kyu (they go up to first and then black belt), and Sugano Sensei and Mike Abrams were the testing officials. From what I've heard of previous tests Sugano Sensei is quite strick about the techniques and the fact that no one failed made me happy enough. Most of you know that there is usually a shortage of ukes (attackers) for the tests so Sugano Sensei would occationally call for an extra uke for a test. As deshi it is our job to jump up to the occation...an occation for which only Sanji and I were present. I was uke for Chris's fourth kyu test first which was directly followed by Linna's third kyu test which was directly followed by the second kyu test that included a randori. Needless to say I was a little worn out but I'm getting used to the feeling.

Speaking of which today is tuesday meaning that I have six classes today. Noriko taught the morning class, I was being used for demonstration for irimi-nage breakfalls before 7am this morning, that's one hell of a way to wake up. Noon class I got a beginner which will help me out later, and Harvey's randori class was a workout as always, one hour of non-stop movement, good stuff. I'm starting to notice major changes in my movement in randori as well as my ukemi so I think this whole deshi thing just might work. 4:15 class is Yamada Sensei, 5:30 will be Harvey Konigsburg again, and Luis at 6:45. I need to go eat alot of food to get ready for this so I'll get back soon.

Judy, hope you're happy :)