Thread Drift

[Trek420]

Trek, I'd be really upset about the mixed messages you are getting from the dojo. I hope it works out.

Well, it's kind of amusing really. Aikido, being a traditional art is a bit like stepping away from the hubbub of the modern world and into feudal Japan. So you bow at the door and step into a world where there's all this elaborate etiquette. Class by class it's mostly who starts a teqnique first, it's not as if anyone is committing sepuku if they do it wrong.

I don't want to step on feet, "I'm a nidan and I get to do this this way". But this A person who wrote me is likely waaaaaay under my rank and experience and really should have checked with sensei before she told me to go back to basics. I'll just talk to sensei and expect to clear this up. And then, there is a saying in the peaceful, nonviolent, supportive, protective, respectful, safe art of Aikido. "There is no revenge in Aikido. But there is "my turn"".

So I'll find A and just train a bit with her. That should clarify my rank.

[Pax]

So I'll find A and just train a bit with her. That should clarify my rank.

Does that mean you get to hit her with a stick?

[Trek420]

Does that mean you get to hit her with a stick?

No. That would be bad That would not be nice.

O'sensei Ueshiba founded Aikido. His favorite student was Saito Sensei, whom he entrusted with running his Iwama dojo. One of Saito Sensei's favorite students is my teacher, Pat Hendricks.

So I may be old, outa practice and outa shape but my new teacher knows "oooh, I want this one training here" because of the lineage.

Here's Pat, my teacher with Saito Sensei: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jIF-RDYoBac

[Crankin]

Pax, your question made me laugh!
Trek, it sounds like it will work out. I have learned quite a bit about karate and the different styles, from one of my clients, who is 16. He is on the spectrum and has some mood issues, and going to the right dojo has been the best calming strategy in the world for him. I've worked with him for 3.5 years, so I can really see growth. He is naturally athletic, I actually used to ride and hike with him when I was doing in home therapy. Since he went back to the dojo, he has lost 50+ pounds, can articulate his feelings, has insight, and is running up to 5 miles. No hospitalizations or any trips to the ER in over a year. If enough kids sign up for the summer program, he is going to be a teacher assistant.

[Trek420]

Yep. Just back from the dojo and A, the one who bumped me to beginners? The volunteer secretary.

[Lelani Carver]

Trek - looking forward to hearing how "your turn" goes.

[OakLeaf]

Eh, I get your frustration, and I probably shouldn't say anything more because I know absolutely zero about the martial arts world ... but in the worlds I do know, in situations where there's a chance of injury, it's always best to observe someone and start slow if you didn't train them yourself. In the yoga world, it's amazing (and very sad and frustrating) how often you'll see people with RYT200 or even 500 who don't even know the first thing about hand placement - sending out masses of students at risk for shoulder injuries. Zen mind, beginner's mind, and all that

Anyway, sounds like you've been able to prove yourself - hope you get on well at this dojo from here out!

[Crankin]

I am exhausted and bored. Sitting here at Hudson HS, ready for my first client at 7:45. The kid texts me saying she can't miss class, it's important for her final grade (she's graduating). There's nothing to do while I wait... No one I can even schmooze with. And, I am having doubts my 8:45 will come. I am so glad I will be done with this in 2 weeks. Finally, I will have the schedule I want.

[Crankin]

The rest of the kids came. I actually had to see a client at the office on the way home, and when I got there, I had a note from the insurance lady that the kid who didn't come insurance expired on 4/15. So, I would not have been paid if I saw her. I texted her (she's 18) and she said, yeah, they got the letter to renew their MA Health, but there was some issue, and "it was only 5 days ago." I hate telling people this, but I did tell her that if she doesn't have the insurance ( no co pay), if I see her, it's 55.00. That is cheap for private pay, but I made the point and she got it.

[ny biker]

The rest of the kids came. I actually had to see a client at the office on the way home, and when I got there, I had a note from the insurance lady that the kid who didn't come insurance expired on 4/15. So, I would not have been paid if I saw her. I texted her (she's 18) and she said, yeah, they got the letter to renew their MA Health, but there was some issue, and "it was only 5 days ago." I hate telling people this, but I did tell her that if she doesn't have the insurance ( no co pay), if I see her, it's 55.00. That is cheap for private pay, but I made the point and she got it.

Well, she's young and probably (hopefully) hasn't been forced to learn the realities of dealing with insurance problems yet. A waste of your time, but a chance to help her learn an important lesson.

[Crankin]

Yes, and it's a complicated family situation. She's actually a very responsible kid. Her grandmother was her guardian, but she lives with her mom/dad, under very trying circumstances. I guess mom responded to the letter Mass Health sent them and it was actually the grandmother who should have seen this. I had already had my final meeting with the grandmother, to tell her that I no longer legally could communicate with her, unless the kid signed a release, which was hard for her to understand. But, although the kid would probably sign a release, I think this is, indeed, alesson she needs to learn, as she said this is already messing up the stuff she needs to do for her college for next year. She's the first person her family to go to college, so there's a lot of stress, apart from the family situation. She's not going very far, but she will be living on campus.

[OakLeaf]

On the topic of waning forum activity ... I just noticed that there's no longer a link to the forum on TE's e-commerce homepage. Susan/Jeff, was that intentional? Have we become more hassle than we're worth?

[Crankin]

I, too, have noticed the decrease in forum activity, again. It makes me sad.
We might not have so many technical questions, after years of genius TE advice, but we have other cycling and related stuff to share, I think??? I, for one, have no desire to post on other cycling forums.

[Helene2013]

I noticed this also this week because of some reason, instead of getting directly to this forum, I went to look at stuff to purchase and could not get back to the forum. I had to google team oestrogen forum to get to the link. hummm

If I go to TE direct weblink, the "community" tab is not there. It will appear only once I click for instance on one of the tabs then it shows the Community button. But there is no way I'd know there was a community without clicking on the "sale" or whatever else button. Which opens another window, and then I see Community, etc.

[rocknrollgirl]

I don't post often, but this is the only place I do post and I do check in every day. Do you think social media is killing this type of forum? Is everyone on FB and that is why they are not posting?

Heck I have long standing friendships that are on the brink of ending because I am not on FB. Is it really that much work to email or pick up the phone anymore? Sorry, different issue I guess.