Sanchin Aikido Paisley

Find out more at www.sanchin.uk/join

  #合気道

No classes this evening, due to illness. Sorry for the short notice!

Just a periodic reminder that seiza (the kneeling sitting position) is an optional part of training. Please only sit in seiza if you feel able to and maintain the position only as long as it is comfortable.

Many of the oft-repeated facts about seiza are somewhat dubiously supported by historical evidence (if supported at all!)

Do not risk injury for the purposes of "looking good"!

Did you know that from April 2020 seiza has been considered "a morally unacceptable form of punishment" in Japan?

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/12/28143e6ae22a-japanese-sitting-style-to-be-recognized-as-punishment-under-new-law.html

Just say no, I would say. It's not healthy for your knees and it always hurts, even for Japanese people, which is why it used to be a popular way of punishing children in school, and is now illegal.

The idea that it's somehow traditional is more or less a myth:

https://www.iromegane.com/post/is-seiza-really-the-traditional-way-to-sit-for-japanese-people

Also, here's a more in depth look at the history of seiza:

"To establish the nation of Japan, the Meiji government utilized such "Seiza" politically. For the purpose of establishing the national identity of Japan, "Seiza", which looked most unnatural and curious to visiting foreigners, was made the representative Japanese sitting posture with the aid of education as in the Ogasawara School of Etiquette. The government, to emphasize the individuality of Japan , intentionally adopted this characteristic posture that surprised foreigners because of its unnaturalness. From foreigners and, similarly from Japanese people, the government hid the existence of other siting postures on the earthen floor, which remained in the countryside, to fix a uniform image of Japan."

HISTORICAL STUDY OF SITTING IN JAPAN: WITH "SEIZA" AS MAIN TOPIC
- Yusei Tazaki, Mukogawa Women's University, Japan

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/HISTORICAL-STUDY-OF-SITTING-IN-JAPAN%3A-WITH-%22SEIZA%22-Tazaki/d660ffb2fc88c01aa7d901a55a8c6dffc1a4ca19

Just say no.

No classes tomorrow (Friday 24th January 2025) due to the storm advisory warning.

Please take care and stay safe!

Rare red warning in Scotland ahead of Storm Éowyn The Met Office has issued the "danger to life" warning with gusts reaching up to 100mph in parts.

Class as normal this evening, but no class on Sunday 24th. Regular schedule resumes from Friday 29th.

It can be really difficult to stop making snap judgements, as they happen unconsciously, but they can affect your coaching

But what we can do is become more aware of them & take steps to reduce their impact 💡

Find out how 👉 https://bit.ly/4eL2ooF

Congratulations to Richard Firestone-sensei of Glasgow Aikido Club which is celebrating its 20th year anniversary this weekend!

To join in the celebration visit: https://facebook.com/events/s/20-year-anniversary-seminar-gl/989159246337576/