The Aiki reflex
by Joseph Shaw
First of all, I would like to extend a public thank-you to all those people who were so supportive to me during my heart attack and recovery. I believe that my speedy recovery was due in large part to your good wishes and prayers. For my part, I am enrolled in a recovery program at the Toronto Rehabilitation Centre. They started me off walking half a mile per day at a speed of 4 miles an hour. Every week, they monitored my reactions and increased the distance. I am now walking 3 miles a day, 5 days a week. This has been very beneficial to me as I have noticed my stamina is greatly enhanced and makes my aikido practice much easier.
Early into one of my walks, I came upon some people strolling along the sidewalk. I thought of passing them on their left but realized that this would put me out on the roadway. I saw that there was some room to swing by on their right but it was going to be a bit awkward as the pavement was rough and irregular. As I started my move, I failed to notice a piece of wood jammed into the ground and, passing over it, did not lift my foot high enough. My trailing foot, the right one, got caught in this obstruction in such a way that, as my movement continued, I realized I was in deep trouble.
The human brain is surely the most amazing part of our body. What I have just described happened very suddenly, and my initial thought was that I was headed for one hell of a fall. With my foot trapped, my first reaction was the sense that there was nothing I could do but prepare myself for a crash landing into a muddy lawn. How often have I practiced ukemi over the past three years and been disappointed in what I felt to be my "inferior style" (especially when I would see others doing the same rolls, only much better)!
At that moment, however, when it felt as though there was no way out, another part of my brain kicked in and overrode the negative message. The new input signaled "standing forward ukemi"—and that's exactly what happened. Without thinking, I put my right hand down and executed a very acceptable front roll. I came up on my feet—in perfect position! I was in right hanmi, hands extended, knees bent, good posture (thanks to Sensei for that part) and facing in the same direction as I had been originally.
The people I had been trying to pass were flabbergasted when this apparition suddenly popped up in front of them. The woman's first reaction was to ask me if I was all right. I replied by asking her what the hell had happened. She didn't know. All she could remember was seeing this body hurl past her in a somersault. I assured her and her companion that I was quite all right and continued on with my walk. The only damage was a bruise to my right palm where I had started the roll. All in all, I got off very lightly.
Over the past three years, aikido has become more for me than it first appeared to be when I began training. Now it is an integral part of my daily life. When I am on the mat, time flies by and for me this is a good indicator that I left my ego at the door. Aikido has also made me more aware of my environment. When I walk down the street, I am conscious of the little things going on around me and this makes me feel happy and present in my space, in that moment.
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