The Ando wristband is something that makes our Aikido heart 心 (Kokoro) leap.
We train Aikido every week, but as you know, this Martial Art is not just about learning techniques and throws to defend yourself. Instead, it is about coming closer together to each other. That's Aikido in everyday life.
Like Aikido in the dojo, this situation often only presents itself when you run into something. For example, think of a situation where you are restricted. On the mat can be when someone physically grabs you. Instead of thinking in limitations, we Aikidokas look for possibilities and solutions. When someone grabs the wrist, we deploy a Nikyo to free ourselves. We train ourselves to recognise the situations and respond to them appropriately, with the most favourable outcome possible at the time. Thus, we deploy the clamp to warn someone (i.e. not to break) as a control to prevent escalation.
At school, for example, such a limitation could be a lesson you don't feel like attending. From Aikido, you know that you cannot change anything about the situation itself. WELL to the way you look at it and how you deal with it. You might think like this 'Gee, it's a good thing this class is only 1 hour long'.
During work, it is no different. Perhaps you run into a problem with a manager, or an awkward situation with a colleague. Yourself move into how you handle this on the mat offers perspective for out there. Are you starting to see solutions yet? And no, we are not referring to 'showing all the corners of the mat'. Think more about the way you communicate. So, how is your attitude while communicating? Do you react irritably yourself or are you sideways? Is your colleague visual and is it better to preface something, or is an auditory cue more helpful? So this is also how you tune in to your 'partner' off the mat. As in Aikido, they don't have a coloured belt on and so you don't know what level someone is at.
We humans can get so worked up about everything around us these days. While there is absolutely no need to be. For instance, our father (died 2021) pointed us to an excerpt by Roue Verveer (from the show 'Heppie de Peppie', available on Netflix) that connects beautifully to Aikido in everyday life.
What Roue points out is that today it is not a given that everyone is cheerful. That you are in control. See flow chart below. A recognisable message that also Berthold Gunster of 'Omdenkenken' proclaims. During an inspiration session, he called this 'verbal Jiujitsu' (well, he didn't know Aikido then). The Omdenkmatrix gives us tools to work with it ourselves.
Like on the mat, 'Aikido in daily life' takes time to get good at it.
Therefore, we challenge you to 66 days wear this wristband. As soon as you have managed to turn an encounter (into a positive experience) change the wristband from side to side. This way, you make yourself aware and make sure it will become a habit. After that, you will see that you will wear the bracelet more as a piece of jewellery.
This is how we at Ando aim to make an impact in a positive and meaningful way. Encourage yourself to apply Aikido in daily life in this way! Experience how obvious applying Aikido in daily life is.
Sensei Edo & Berthold Gunster
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