Can life be a passion or a hobby can be a way of life?

1. A brief history of Mr. Ueshiba.

Portrait of Morihei Ueshiba from 1939.
Origin: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
License: free to use or share, even commercially (for commercial use)
Origin of the original: Kobukan Dojo Era (2), in Aikido Journal

Morihei Ueshiba.

Born in 1883 in Japan.
From the early years of the twentieth century he trained martial arts: jujutsu, kenjutsu, judo, then Daitō-ryū-aiki-jūjutsu.
Under the influence of these martial arts, Ueshiba creates his own style called aikido.
You can find more interesting facts about his life and about aikido, for example on wikipedia.

2. A brief history of Mr. Piotr :)

in the photo below you can see me doing throw technique "iriminage omote" at one of my aikido school students.

I started the adventure with aikido over a quarter of a century ago and I continue it to this day. I can boldly say that this art has become part of my life path (in the name "aikido" - "do" means "a way").

Money for training.

I used to earn some money for training while working at my family's farm during holidays, I got some money from my parents too. Money for such "extravagances" was not easy to get, but thanks to my enthusiasm, perseverance and commitment to training, I managed to raise funds every month.

The trainings were several times a week.
The master had a 25 km one-way to the dojo, but it did not discourage him. He built the enthusiasm to teach on the inexhaustible passion of tens of students of his aikido group.

After many years of training, and after passing the instructor's examinations, I received the Aikido Master's title and the black belt.

Below is my Japanese certificate, granting me a masters degree (DAN) in Aikido.
You can see watermarks (I discovered them first in my dojo, even before my master, who already had several certificates of higher degrees) :)

During my instructor career I had several groups within my aikido school.
These included groups: a self-defense course for women, aikido group for children, mixed groups for youth and adults.

With my aikido I was beyond the Polish borders and for over 10 years I have also been recognized (by a separate certificate obtained after completing an instructor school in Wales - UK) as an aikido instructor in the UK.

3. What is aikido?

Aikido is a martial art, but not as you understand typical martial arts.
It is called the art of self-defense, or sometimes, a martial art without a fight.
Have you watched an old Bruce Lee movie "The Enter of the Dragon" - remember how Bruce fought without a fight? :D

In aikido we rely on the principles of dynamics, movement based on wheels and arcs, on energy, attack power, centrifugal force, on levers, throws and many more.

Aikido does not teach aggression. Respect for the other person, the unwillingness to do any harm and the path of love and peace are one of the main guidelines of aikido.
Only defensive techniques are used in this art. Aikidoka does not kick, does not hit with his hands or other parts of the body.

Watching aikido shows, viewers often compare what they see to a dance. Aikido is a fluid, dynamic martial art that looks impressive and powerful, and is really effective.

Aikido teaches many things to people.
To females - it teaches the art of defense against potentially dangerous situations.
To children - healthy physical exercise, friendship with other children, self-confidence.
The youths and adults are starting to make a way through life, absorb the ideology of peace and friendship.

A set of several hundred variants of techniques, as well as the specificity and philosophy of aikido, allow to obtain effective "tools":defense skills, and after years of training, even an ability to prevent the emergence of conflict situations.

4. Real stories ...

Several times I had to "show" what aikido is to some careless and impulsive people.
Everyone left the situation unharmed, maybe only the aggressors with small grazes on ... ego.

Physical defense in aikido is a last resort for the master of this art. Unfortunately, often aggressors are very arrogant and are going to physical attacks, then a delicate intervention is needed. The upside is that despite the knowledge and skills that theoretically allow damaging the opponent (see film scenes with Steven Seagal on YT), gentle neutralization is more often used (aikido shows on YT).

5. Golden thought.

"Whoever fights with a sword dies of a sword" - do you agree with this proverb?
I will say this: I show respect, understanding, openness and love, if someone wants me wrong, I am looking for good in it and I propose a peaceful solution. What the aggressor will do with it is one's business.

The second thought was sometimes expressed by our master under our consideration: "In a situation without a way out, as a result of it, I prefer that two men would walk away me away, instead of four men" - do you know what he meant? Ideas for an answer are welcome in the comments.

Big thank you to you for reading my article :)

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PS: Photograph of Morihei Ueshiba (source given under the photo). Other photos and graphics are of my making and have the associated copyrights.