Finally going up for shodan, sixteen years after I started aikido.
I’m the world’s oldest living white belt in captivity.
I didn’t test for my first five years because I started just a couple of years out of med school, and didn’t want the panic and misery I associated with tests (which I do very well on, oddly) to spill over into my hobby. I took first kyu seven years ago. I had to stop practicing except for rare seminars for about three and a half years there in the seven years, so it’s really only something like twelve and a half years a white belt.
My teacher is my husband. This wasn’t intentional on either of our parts.
I am a little nervous, but I probably should be more nervous for them, particularly in the randori.
United States Aikido Federation ryu under Y. Yamada from NYC.
Any words of wisdom, and/or encouragement? And/or slaps upside the head?
I’ll have you know that the Roxette song about ‘She’s a little bit dangerous’ came on just as I opened this thread. Definately a good sign! I wish you luck, and keep us updated!
I just passed my test for 2nd Dan in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) a couple weeks ago, so I can understand how you feel.
All I can really tell you is that your instructor would not have you test if he didn’t think you could pass. He knows you know the stuff. You know you know the stuff. All that is required is that you show him and everyone else that you know the stuff. You’ve been through it all a thousand times before. This will be no different.
I am sure you will have no problems. Go kick some butt!
May I offer advanced congratulations on passing your test.
Aww again.
But are you so sure about the instructor thing? After all I’m married to him. Been married to him for twelve years. Maybe he’s scared to say no?
Well, if I’d been a shodan for 7,000+ posts, I’d get a little ornery too.
I can particularly remember doing uchi-mata on a (I believe) Tomiki stylist, who claimed that he was unthrowable because he was going to do that ‘unliftable’ thing, so his ki made him stick to the floor.
Although, to be fair, I knew another guy who could bring off shiho-nage even in randori, especially if I got careless.
I would think that you should be able to call on your teacher to provide some massage therapy. Heck, it should be his responsibility to volunteer that service.
