What do you guys think?

[manthemachine]

Somethings happened recently thats made me question my training. I started Aikido about a year ago. Ive always been drawn to it, and have no doubt about the effectiveness of it. In fact more so as I progress I begin to see how dynamic Aikido really is. I guess Im just lucky, my instructor is very "traditional". Also, Ive used it on a few occasions with my best friend who trains in Brazillian Jujitsu. Anyways, that out of the way. When I first started training I think alot of people were taken by suprise. I got the feeling that no one was taking me serious, and I was being humored. Im use to being judged, but wasnt expecting this from practitioners of Aikido. I have full sleeves (Tattoos) and I think it makes people uncomfortable. Im not a criminal, Im not a tough biker, its just something Ive been around all my life. My Grandfather started the tradition when he was a sailor, hence all the guys in my family are tattooed. So, I thought suck it up, train hard, and show them that you take this seriously. Eventually my Sensei warmed up to me a bit, as well as the rest of the dojo. I still feel however, that Im looked down upon which bugs the hell out of me because this Martial Art has really become my life. I live it everday, off the mat, on the mat. I strive to be a better person. So I finally figure out a way to show the dojo how much I care about it, and offer to create a website, free of course for our school. I talk to Sensei about it and he thinks its a good idea, so I start working on it. Also I might mention that I attend an art school and am majoring in interactive multimedia. I turn it in, and he makes a few suggestions to me after class. I completely have no problem with this. Im use to being critiqued at school. I can handle it, if he told me he didnt like it and wanted me to do it over again thats fine. However what happened, or the way it came off was that I didnt know what I was doing. He called another guy over that does tech support, and asked this guy to give me some tips on web design. He commented on what makes a website good, a few sites where I could copy and paste some scripts (to me this is plagerism) and gave me some examples of websites to check out. I listened politely. Sensei then asked me to send a copy of the website to him when I was done so he could check it out and I could get his opinion. This turned me off completely to the whole thing, as well as made me feel like I was just some punk kid. Im even considering leaving my dojo to train in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Am I looking to much into this? I really felt bad about the whole situation, and its tough to stay at a dojo where I feel that Im not respected.

David Hugar

[Webmaster]

David:

Not sure quite where to start, but let me start at the top.

Not sure if the tattoos are really a problem, but I do have to admit that there is some circles where they may be looked down on by others. For instance, in Japan, there is a definate stigma attached to tattoos as they tend to be associated with Yakuza (organized crime groups). Yeah, tattoos in this country are a little more accepted but many folks do tend to think of heavily tattooed individuals as being either convicts or bikers. However, most get past this once they learn more about you. Some may not, but that is really their problem.

Now the the web design bit, that may be a matter that their expectations and yours may differ. One of the things I have found, at least as it applies to very traditional dojo and instructors, is they prefer simple and none flashy web design. If you have ever looked at Japanese art, you will notice that there is an elegance in the simplicity of it. Whereas we Westerners like lots of color, lots of graphics, music and lots of flashiness. So rather than they simply telling you to redo the whole site, they may have been giving you some hints as to their expectations by showing you some example sites. Since I have not seen the sites they have given you as examples, I can only speculate in that regard. However, I would not take it personally.

I do think that your feelings of not being respected may be accurate, but at the same time, it is also possible that you are being a little over sensitive. After feeling a little put off by their initial reaction to your tattoos, you may be trying too hard for their acceptance and when you are not being treated in a manner you expected (in your efforts to create a website for the dojo) you are feeling like your ovatures are being ignored.

Most instructors (myself in included) take quite a while to "warm up" to a student. With the number of dojo hoppers and students who drop out, instructors tend to not take students seriously until they have shown they are here to train for the long haul. Sometimes this can take a while (even up to a year in some cases!) but once a student has shown their dedication by staying the course through all of the hard training, then they get taken seriously. We all see the enthustiastic student that comes in the dojo and seems to go out of their way to show they are serious. However, sometimes that can be a show and ultimately, the only way to earn their trust and respect is to train and train hard.

I have rambled enough in this reply. Probably a result of being sick and on lots of prescription drug, but my best advice would be to finish the website, and keep on training. You need to finish the website since you have made the committment to do it, and you need to continue your training to prove your committment to your instructor and your dojo. Acceptance and respect will come soon enough, but it has to be earned.

Good luck in your training!

[Mark Barlow]

Carver Sensei pretty much summed up my viewpoint. I will stress the importance of not expecting a sensei in a traditional dojo to invest a great deal of time on you right off the bat. I expect my senior students (brown and black belts) to provide a great deal of the initial instruction and orientation for new students. I've found this is a great training tool for sempai and most newbies are more comfortable with someone besides the chief instructor looking over their shoulder while they're learning to tie their obi.

I commend you for offering your time and expertise. As for your sensei making suggestions and corrections to the site: if it portrays the dojo in a poor light, no one will likely say, "Boy, that webmaster doesn't know what he's doing." but rather, "Boy, that dojo/sensei doesn't know what he's doing."
Don't view it as your sensei looking a gift horse in the mouth but rather him insuring that the dojo is viewed well by outsiders.

As for swapping dojo, train where you're happy and where you get the most benefit.

Mark Barlow

[manthemachine]

Thanks for the replies guys, its given me alot to think about. I skipped class today. I think I need a few days to think about the events that are taking place. Under the circumstances I dont think I would have been in the right state of mind to practice. Aikido is something that usually clears my mind. I think thats why I like it so much. Anyways, The website I designed was tech, mixed with a japanese influence. I understand what hes looking for now. Once I get the motivation to design it again, if ever, I will design a clean, less flashy site. I understand the way my Sensei is. Like I said, I consider myself lucky to have such a great instructor. I guess this is something Ill just have to get over if I ever want to train again. Thanks for the advice.

David Hugar

[Luar]

Somethings happened recently thats made me question my training. I started Aikido about a year ago. Ive always been drawn to it, and have no doubt about the effectiveness of it. In fact more so as I progress I begin to see how dynamic Aikido really is. I guess Im just lucky, my instructor is very "traditional". Also, Ive used it on a few occasions with my best friend who trains in Brazillian Jujitsu. Anyways, that out of the way. When I first started training I think alot of people were taken by suprise. I got the feeling that no one was taking me serious, and I was being humored. Im use to being judged, but wasnt expecting this from practitioners of Aikido. I have full sleeves (Tattoos) and I think it makes people uncomfortable. Im not a criminal, Im not a tough biker, its just something Ive been around all my life. My Grandfather started the tradition when he was a sailor, hence all the guys in my family are tattooed. So, I thought suck it up, train hard, and show them that you take this seriously. Eventually my Sensei warmed up to me a bit, as well as the rest of the dojo. I still feel however, that Im looked down upon which bugs the hell out of me because this Martial Art has really become my life. I live it everday, off the mat, on the mat. I strive to be a better person. So I finally figure out a way to show the dojo how much I care about it, and offer to create a website, free of course for our school. I talk to Sensei about it and he thinks its a good idea, so I start working on it. Also I might mention that I attend an art school and am majoring in interactive multimedia. I turn it in, and he makes a few suggestions to me after class. I completely have no problem with this. Im use to being critiqued at school. I can handle it, if he told me he didnt like it and wanted me to do it over again thats fine. However what happened, or the way it came off was that I didnt know what I was doing. He called another guy over that does tech support, and asked this guy to give me some tips on web design. He commented on what makes a website good, a few sites where I could copy and paste some scripts (to me this is plagerism) and gave me some examples of websites to check out. I listened politely. Sensei then asked me to send a copy of the website to him when I was done so he could check it out and I could get his opinion. This turned me off completely to the whole thing, as well as made me feel like I was just some punk kid. Im even considering leaving my dojo to train in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Am I looking to much into this? I really felt bad about the whole situation, and its tough to stay at a dojo where I feel that Im not respected.

David Hugar

David,

I am coming into this conversation late but I want to share with you a similar experience I had.

First of all I am student of Shorinji Kempo and am the webmaster and designer for our Branch. Because we are not-for-profit, we do not have funds to pay a professional service to design and maintain our website. After I gotten my first promotion, I chose to step in and do. At first I glady chose to invest my own money into it but Sensei insisted that the funds come from out branch fund. It has been a great success and our website we have downloadble videos, detailed information on our style and links to other branches that is part of our community.

As a software developer and project manager, one of the things I learn when doing these kinds of projects is buy-in. This means that you need to make everyone feel that they are part of this project. This is especially true of your seniors. Because I was a junior kenshi, there is way in the world I could even have the experience necessary to describe my art. So I began talking to all the senior students to solicit their opionion. Throughout the entire development, I kept asking a selected few to test the website and provide feedback. Of course you are going to have to learn how to manage their opinions but believe me having them on-board will only give you more legitamacy.

As far as my Sensei is concern, he was very supportive and yes there were times when he will appear to change his mind on what things should be posted. All senseis are very busy men/women who are pulled in multiple directions so you have to be patient and expect this type of thing.

Finally you have to understand that doing a website is putting a spotlight on your dojo and Sensei. For that reason, it is understandable why he may want a senior student to work with you to make sure that the dojo is properly presented. There is no way in the world you can tell me that a junior kenshi will do that appropriately.

My final note to you on all that you expressed in this post is this: I am almost certain that you would have experienced the same feelings no matter what dojo you went to.

Good Luck

[seakyu]

Aikido is something that usually clears my mind. I think thats why I like it so much. Anyways, The website I designed was tech, mixed with a japanese influence. I understand what hes looking for now. Once I get the motivation to design it again, if ever, I will design a clean, less flashy site. I understand the way my Sensei is. Like I said, I consider myself lucky to have such a great instructor. I guess this is something Ill just have to get over if I ever want to train again.

Bravo! I'm glad to hear that you can not be stopped by your perception of a lack of respect from your teacher or your fellow students!

An interesting point of view offered by Kanshu Sunadomari (uchideshi to Morihei Ueshiba) in his book "Enlightenment through Aikido" is a quote of Osensei: "True budo is masakatsu gakatsu katsuhayabi (which I have heard translated as "true victory is victory over oneself) and thus it can never be defeated. In other words, to be invincible is to never give any opposition or fight. To be victorious is to win over the conflict that resides within our own heart, defeating the urge to fight with others; and to carry out and accomplish one's God-given mission."

When we reach the state of being in which we do not react with opposition to offense on any level (mental, emotional, or physical), we have attained the perfect mind for aikido and harmony will be the only result.

[seakyu]

As a software developer and project manager, one of the things I learn when doing these kinds of projects is buy-in. This means that you need to make everyone feel that they are part of this project.Beautifully stated! This is, to me, akin to the concepts in aikido of "entering" and "connecting."

[Luar]

Because I was a junior kenshi, there is way in the world I could even have the experience necessary to describe my art.

This should have read that as a junior kenshi, I would not have yet the necessary experience to describe my art.

Apologies for the misunderstanding