Strick's Ramblings

I will start training in Aikido soon. There are several options for martial art style training here at Misawa, I chose Aikido because it's not about fighting and how strong you are... Below is an exerpt from Wikipedia on Aikido:

Aikido (合気道, aikidō?), translated as "the way of harmonious spirit", is a Japanese martial art developed in the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Ueshiba's goal was to create an art practitioners could use to defend themselves without injuring their attacker.

Aikido emphasizes joining with an attack and redirecting the attacker's energy, as opposed to meeting force with force, and consists primarily of body throws and joint-locking techniques. In addition to physical fitness and technique, mental training, controlled relaxation, and development of "spirit" (ki) are emphasized in aikido training. An aikido practitioner is called an aikidōka.

I can't wait to start training. I will be like Steven Segal... just kidding... Also, depending on time, I want to study Kyūdō, which is Japanese Archery.

Kyūdō (弓道:きゅうどう, Kyūdō?), literally meaning "way of the bow", is the Japanese art of archery. It is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō).

It is estimated that there are approximately half a million practitioners of kyūdō today. Kyūdō is a rare sport in the sense that it is not dependant on age or sex. If the practitioner is dedicated, male or female, they can learn at any age. It's never too early or too late to learn Kyūdō. Although one could learn Kyūdō at any point in their life, it can take a lifetime to perfect.

More on this later...