Aikido of Amherst

Congratulations to everyone who took rank tests this past Saturday. We are proud you all!

We are excited to announce that our fall seminar will be on Saturday, November 2, featuring guest instructor Aaron Cass-sensei from Portsmouth Aikido (NH). For more information visit: https://www.aikidoofamherst.com/events

I want to express my gratitude to all of our members for the thoughtful and beautiful gift marking the 10th anniversary of our dojo. As touched as I am by the artwork from Harvey Konigsberg-shihan, I am even more moved by the reality this gift commemorates--a community of thoughtful, supportive, and vibrant Aikido practice that has sustained itself and endured through a significant amount of time and through formidable challenges. Everyone of us has contributed to this reality. I am grateful to you all.

Heath Atchley

Congratulations to all of our students who took rank tests this past weekend. A great event, and a great milestone!

Our 10th anniversary seminar was an amazing event. Thank you to all of our guests. And thanks especially to our guest instructor, Laura Jacobs Pavlick Shihan.

What does it mean to attain a dan (black belt) rank in Aikido? It can, of course, mean many things to many different aikidoka. As we approach our 10th anniversary seminar (May 4 with Laura Jacobs Pavlick-shihan), an event that will include dan tests, it is a good time to reflect on this question.

A common image we receive from pop-culture representations of martial practice is that a black belt indicates mastery, and with mastery comes invulnerability: a martial arts master, as so often portrayed in movies and television, defeats all foes. Such an image, of course, is a fantasy. Nothing can erase our basic human vulnerabilities. Nothing can protect us completely from all dangers. Furthermore, a thoughtful Aikido practice acknowledges our vulnerabilities and helps us to grow with them; it brings us to a vitality that incorporates vulnerability rather than denying it.

Another common thought is that attaining a dan rank is the result of discipline and commitment. Certainly these qualities play a role in achieving anything desired over a course of time. Yet I think the effectiveness of these qualities is often overstated. Willpower drives discipline and commitment. Over time willpower tends to fade. Moving through life in a willful and driven way is more often exhausting than vitalizing.

At a deeper level, I believe attaining a dan rank is about awareness and response. An advanced aikidoka is one who becomes vividly aware that the art brings something valuable and supportive to their life and actively responds to this awareness with presence and intention. Consistent practice, which is the key to growth, comes not so much from driven discipline but from being faithful to what the art gives (which is also a way of being faithful to oneself and to what is more than oneself). It can feel like a call, like what the art gives calls out to one and waits for a response.

Our students who are preparing for dan tests practice powerful and beautiful Aikido. They work hard. They bring a lot to our dojo community. They have heard the call. And they have responded.

https://www.aikidoofamherst.com/events

We are excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary with a seminar led by Laura Jacobs Pavlick-shihan from Litchfield Hills Aikikai. Date: Saturday, May 4. Classes: 1:00-4:00pm. Followed by dan tests, food, and fellowship.

For more information visit:
https://www.aikidoofamherst.com/events

Please join us!

Congratulations to our students who advanced in rank at our recent Kagami Biraki event. Rank tests are meaningful milestones on each of our Aikido journeys.

We are excited to announce our new Child & Family Class will begin in the new year. First class is January 9. More details can be found at https://www.aikidoofamherst.com/childrens-class

We are grateful to Eran Vardi-shihan for a wonderful seminar this past Saturday. Thank you, also, to all of our guests.

We're looking forward to our seminar this Saturday with Eran Vardi-shihan from Aikido of Ramapo Valley. Classes are 1-5:00pm, followed by food and fellowship in the dojo. For more information visit aikidoofamherst.com/events

Testing for rank: celebrating a milestone; expressing one's growth and development.

We are very proud of our students who recently advanced in rank. Congratulations!