Two Three Two

We tend to have our belt tests in groups here at the Sanbukan Dojo. After Marcus and Mia tested, we had Brenda test for Orange, Cindy and DC test for third Brown and then today Anthony and Martin tested for their Yellow belts. All of them passed and did exceptionally well. The Sensei' only consistent critique was "Kihon Dosa". You can NEVER practice the basics enough. Without a strong foundation your Aikido will not be strong.

Sensei Mits has a wonderful story about a Mathematician. He starts wanting to complete a complex equation and makes a simple math mistake right at the start. As a result, no matter how hard he tried or how hard he worked on the rest of the equation, it was always wrong. Until he finally goes all the way back and corrects his basics does his equation make sense.

Aikido is often referred to as a thinking art for just that reason. You can work and work at it for years and then suddenly stop and realize you've been making a simple mistake that has been hindering your progress. But once it's corrected, you soar!