Knife defence is tonight at 18:30. Bring along guests. After class we’ll be going down to the Horse and Groom pub for refreshment and relaxation.

WATCH THE VIDEO TO SEE WHAT WE’LL BE DOING.

Osu

Sensei Matt Thurman Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

Knife Defence Course

Friday 18th May

FREE knife defence lesson this Friday. The class is open to everyone including non-members, so if you’re looking for some practical skills to defend yourself we’re here.

Avengers Day

Wednesday 30th May

Strictly kids only I’m afraid. Come in dressed as your favourite Super Hero or Villain and make battle with the evil SWAT. There will be prizes for the best costumes.

Role Model Day

Friday 15th June

Another kids event. We want you to bring someone from your family, who you admire, along to the class. We’ve got lads of fun games to play plus some drills to get your guest involved in the techniques. Lets show your family what we do.

Outdoor Weapons

Saturday 23rd June

Surprise surprise its another kids event. The class will be between the usual times of 10:30 and 11:30. We’ll take the Juniors up to Woodthorpe Park with a all the Bokken we have and have some fun in the sun. This event is open to guests so bring a buddy.

You can meet us at the park gate on Mansfield road or at the Dojo and we can all walk up together. IF YOU OWN A BOKKEN BRING IT ALONG 

Osu

Sensei Matt Thurman Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

The focus this week is curriculum practice. Make sure you get all the tags you need to grade at the end of the month!

Weapons

Friday; Shinai

Saturday; Bokken

Junior Cadet Weapon

This Tuesday the weapon is Bokken.

Knife Defence Class

Free knife defence class this Friday. Starting at 18:30, finishing at 20:00. All comers welcome so please bring guests.

Osu,

Sensei Matt, Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

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Any questions please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Osu,

Sensei Matt, Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

A powerful mind leads to ultimate success

Hundreds of thousands of thoughts pass through our mind in any given day. Some are so fleeting that they barely manifest, while others, we dwell on or come back to over and over again.  These uncontrolled thoughts, along with limiting behaviours and bad habits, can keep us from reaching our greatest success. High achieving individuals almost always share certain common characteristics, which help them succeed.  One of their most important distinctions is an acute ability to concentrate and focus their minds. They are able to dwell on one idea for extended periods of time without interruption.  Interruptions are primarily caused by unwelcome thoughts or distracting thoughts. The value of training our minds, as well as our bodies is clear.  By learning to intensely focus and concentrate without interruption, you will accomplish much more in your life.

What you can conceive and believe, you can achieve

Thought is energy

The first step towards success is to determine the direction you want to go, or the desire you want to fulfil.  Then, you must begin to work towards that goal. How do you do that? In Eastern philosophy, one of the accepted universal truths that thought is energy.  Some Western scientists have coined the term, “mindstuff” to describe the relationship between energy and thought. Simply put, the longer and more frequently you dwell on a particular thought or idea with deep concentration, the faster it will manifest in your life.

If you think you can, you are right.If you think you can’t, you are right.

This principle holds true for habits and personality traits as well as for material desires, positions and relationships. What you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. The obstacle here is that you must truly BELIEVE it.  Remember, thought is never wrong. If you think you can, you are right. If you think that you can’t, you are right. Successful people not only believe they can, they develop constructive habits that support their beliefs.

The power is all yours

In essence, we are our thoughts and actions. Everything begins with a thought.  To fulfil our desire, we must act on our thoughts. Repeating an action becomes a behaviour, and through constant repetition, the behaviour becomes a habit. This formula applies to good thoughts, behaviours and habits, as well as bad thoughts, behaviours and habits.  Problems arise when individuals get so attached to a habit that it becomes an addiction. Developing positive habits is a good idea. But, there is no such thing as a good addiction.

Take care to build excellent thoughts, behaviours and habits for your life. Once constructed, these habit patterns can be very difficult to change. If you are living with habits and tendencies that you wish to change, remember that you created them. Therefore you have the power to get rid of them. Begin by concentrating deeply on the thought that is the opposite of your negative habit. The deeper and more frequently you think of the opposing positive thought, the less energy goes to the negative habit.

Change your thoughts, change your life

For example, if you feel that you are a lazy, low energy person who is out of shape, you begin to manifest the behaviours that support your vision of yourself. You might spend your nights lying on the sofa, watching TV, and eating junk food, until bedtime.  This is a self-fulfilling prophecy that stems from how you see yourself.  Change your thoughts of who you are, and how you want to live. And your behaviours will begin to change. In this case, see yourself as an energetic person who enjoys working out. Create a picture of yourself thinner, and happier, and healthier.  Tell yourself that food is fuel for your body and the better the fuel, the better you feel. Through conscious and continuous effort these new thoughts will become behaviours eventually growing into healthy habits.

“Meditation is not a means to an end. It is both the means and the end.”

–Krishnamurti

Banish the darkness

Bad habits and addictions are sometimes overwhelming. We often blame life, or ourselves, or even God for the frustrating problems, which surround us. We become like a man in a dark room, trying to beat the darkness out with a stick. No matter how desperately we strike at the darkness, this method will not work.  Making a small effort by giving a little positive energy to ingrained habits won’t make them go away. The only way to banish the darkness is by turning on the light.  With prolonged concentrated effort, positive thoughts and habits eventually push out the unwelcome guest who has become the master.

It is not what you are that holds you back. It is being identified with what you are not.

Our thoughts hold extreme power.  In fact, in this moment, you are the sum total of your behaviours, responses and thoughts in your life thus far.  Each time you latched onto thoughts, ignored thoughts, created thoughts, acted or behaved without thinking…in each and every moment you were forming your current self-image. So determine right now whether you want to change your life or just continue on. Your future resides in your thoughts from this moment on. Be ultimately aware, giving time and attention only to those thoughts you consciously choose to develop.

Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don’t count on harvesting Golden Delicious.

Once there was an old, very wise Native American Indian chief with two dogs. One was black and one was white.            A young brave asked, “Sir, tell me about your dogs.” The chief answered,” One of them symbolizes all of my bad thoughts and behaviours, and one symbolizes all of my good thoughts and behaviours. Every day, every single day, they fight. No matter which dog won or lost the day before, they start fresh in battle again the next day.” The little brave then asked, “Which one usually wins?” The chief answered, “Which ever one that I feed the most.”

Design Your Life

Most people never take the time to think about how they want to live or what they want out of life. Day to day responsibilities bog them down and just trying to keep up with everything leaves little room for imagination and planning.    Day after day turns into week after week; then month after month, turns into year after year. Reaching the end of their lives, most people have many regrets. Believing that they would have had more time, death takes them by surprise.

“The quieter you become the more you can hear.”

–Baba Ram Dass

One of the strategies to help you live a full and satisfying life is to take the time to design your life. Take some time and think about the direction you wish to go. Write down what you want out of life. Using a five-year block of time, begin with the end in mind.

• In five years where do you want to be? Who do you want to be with, and what do you want to be doing? Be as specific as possible, encompassing areas of your life such as relationships, career, children, salary and savings, relocation, education, hobbies and activities, and any other areas that you see fit.
• After documenting your five-year plan, begin to break it down and ask the question, “ What do I need to do in four years to achieve this?    And then three years, two years, and one year? Eventually break it down to month to month.

At the end of this process you should have a step-by-step plan, written down for each category. Be as specific as possible and do not become overwhelmed with the assignment. Just remember the adage, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

“If you take too long in deciding what to do with your life, you’ll find you have done it.”

–Pam Shaw

Don’t get caught in the trap of saying, “ I don’t know what I want,” and putting the assignment off. This is your life.  You are the one living it. You are the one who gets to decide the direction of it. Choose to use both your heart and your head. Remember, what you write down is not set in stone. You are the author.  You have the power to change your goals at any time. Just in completing this assignment, you dramatically increase your chances of living the kind of life you want.          As you can see, this is vital. Do it now!

Once you have your life completely designed in as much detail as possible, the next crucial step is to make yourself accountable. Sharing your desires with three or four people you trust will help you stay committed. Finally, write your monthly goals out simply and clearly and place them in a prominent place at home or work. Review them monthly to check on your progress. Remember, constant repetition of desired behaviour will lead to your success.

“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Osu,

Sensei Matt, Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

This Week’s Trainging focus is as follows;

Tuesday; Sankajo Shihonage/Tenchinage
Wednesday; Yonkajo
Thursday; Shihonage/Tenchinage Sankajo
Friday; Kotegaeshi and Jo
Saturday; Hijiate and Shinai

Summer School

Adults

Adult Summer School is from Thursday 28th June to Sunday 1st July.

This is a fantastic training opportunity with 3 world class instructors on the mat plus many more school owners. Whether you are a white belt on your first lesson or a 6th degree black belt there will be plenty of things being given for you to make your Aikido better.

If you want to book your place, call us now on 0115 9856 504

Juniors/Cadets

Junior/Cadet Summer School is on Tuesday and Wednesday 14th and 15th August. We are gonna do loads of cool and exciting techniques and exercises including loads of things we don’t do in normal classes.

We need to get names on the guest list as soon as possible as it is first come first served.

Little Dragons

The Little Dragons Summer School is on Monday 13th August. We’ve got loads of stuff for the kids to keep them entertained so if your looking for something to do during the summer holidays, Summer School is perfect.

Knife Defence Day

Friday 18th May.

Learn how to keep yourself safe with the growing amount of knife crime. Self defence is a key skill that you should know if you like to go out with your friends on a regular basis so feel free to give us a call and ask about this free session.

Osu,

Sensei Matt, Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

Due to the massive success of the Shinai day we have decide that weapons classes will alternate bokken, jo & shinai as opposed to bokken/shinai & jo.

Monday; Hijishimae

Tuesday; Sokumen Iriminage

Wednesday; Shomen Iriminage

Thursday; Ikkajo

Friday; Nikkajo & Bokken

Saturday; Sankajo & Jo

Junior/Cadet Weapon Class

From now on, the second half of every Tuesday (Barring grading week) will be a weapons class, alternating between bokken and jo training each week. Students are encouraged to bring in their own weapons.

This week, the weapon will be bokken.

 Junior/Cadet Testing Module

This Month the kids will be tested on Module 3 of the syllabus.

• All students Green Belt and below will be tested on their Basic Level, all above will be tested on their Advanced Level.
• For Juniors Level 1 is ‘Basic’ and Level 2 is ‘Advanced’
• For Cadets Level 2 is ‘Basic’ and Level 3 is ‘Advanced’

Junior/Cadet Mat Chat For May

Please talk with your child about the topics covered in this video.

Osu,

Sensei Matt, Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

Sunday 13th May

Join us for a stroll through Bestwood Park this May. Friends, family and guests more than welcome.

Knife Defence Day

Friday 18th May; 18:30 to 20:00

If like us you’re concerned by the increase in knife crime, you will also want to make sure that you have the ability to keep yourself and your loved ones safe when you are out and about.

Don’t let your great moments be ruined by the idiocy, ignorance and irresponsibility of others.

Kids Avengers Day

Wednesday 30th May; 16:30 to 17:00 (Little Dragons) & 17:00 to 18:00 (Juniors/Cadets)

Come to class dressed as a Super Hero or Villain and join us for our Avengers Day. Bring friends and let’s have a great time!

Osu,

Sensei Matt, Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

This week is Grading and Curriculum So get in and get your new belt or tags!

Junior/Cadet Testing Module

It’s testing for the Kids as well, so here is the testing module of the month.

• All students Green Belt and below will be tested on their Basic Level, all above will be tested on their Advanced Level.
• For Juniors Level 1 is ‘Basic’ and Level 2 is ‘Advanced’
• For Cadets Level 2 is ‘Basic’ and Level 3 is ‘Advanced’

Osu,

Sensei Matt, Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham

Some of the greatest martial artists in the world — Ueshiba, Funakoshi, Chojun Miyagi — they were in their absolute prime in their 70’s and 80’s. That’s unheard of for an athlete. A gymnast is in their prime in their teens. Most athletes think about retiring in their mid-30’s, by 45 they’re coaching, by 60 they’re consulting, and in their 70’s they’re remembering and watching it on TV. How in the world can martial artists be in their prime at 70 and 80 years old? They can’t do more push ups. They’re not stronger than they were at 25. They aren’t more flexible. They aren’t faster. The only way these people can remain in the prime of their practice with a body well past its peak is because, at the highest levels, martial arts is a mental discipline.

A young, strong, fast martial artist fires a front punch at you and you, as a young, strong, fast martial artist yourself, are able to sidestep or get out of the way of the punch. And an old 80 year old master has the same punch thrown at him and is also able to get out of the way of the punch. To the naked eye, it appears to be the exact same occurrence, but it’s really not. At some point before impact, the young practitioner recognizes the punch being thrown and, with quick reflexes, is able to move out of the way, or block or counter with a technique of their own. But the old master isn’t that nimble, isn’t that quick. Yes, he is able to recognize the punch so much more quickly than the young man that it compensates somewhat for slower movement or less flexibility. But there’s more going on. As the punch is coming in, the old master’s mind is truly in that moment, and so the punch is not moving at 80 mph, 90 mph. In his mind, the punch is moving is slow motion. Not because he’s concentrating intently — quite the opposite. His mind is clear, like a still pond. When the water is like glass, when everything is completely still, then the tiniest movement produces a ripple that we sense instantly and clearly. But if the water is choppy and splashing and moving about, then that same tiny movement is lost — you don’t feel it at all.

It is often desires that keep us from living in the moment, for they can only be fulfilled in the future.

Your mind is that pond. When you clear your mind completely, then you will recognize every tiny ripple very clearly and much earlier, and be able to spontaneously and creatively respond. Bruce Lee said “It’s when IT happens.” Ueshiba Sensei said “It’s when Spirit flows through you.” That’s the state of Mushin — no-mind — that we are striving for.

I’ll give you an example. You’re driving down the road 50, 60 mph and you hit a piece of ice and the car starts to spin and you know you’re going to hit the telephone pole. What happens? Everything slows down, doesn’t it. Why? It’s because your fear has put you right in the moment. You aren’t thinking about the argument with your wife. You’re not thinking about getting your child off to school. You’re not thinking about the meeting at 11:00. You’re not thinking at all. This is Mushin. You are right there, completely in that moment, to the exclusion of everything else. Your consciousness changes and your perception of time-flow changes with it. Now imagine being able to control when you go into that state.

Creativity is when you get out of the way and the Divine shines through.

24 / 7 – 365

Understand that this state is not exclusive to martial artists. I’ve said for years that Michael Jordan does not love basketball. Baryshnikov does not love ballet. Mohammed Ali does not love boxing. They loved the state of consciousness they were able to achieve when performing these activities. Michael Jordan was asked in an interview, “What is the number one thing that you miss about playing since you’ve retired?” And he said, “I miss the quiet, the peacefulness. When I was on the court, playing, it was the quietest place in the world.” The reporter seemed confused and said, “But Mr. Jordan, thousands of people were watching you, sometimes screaming and jumping up and down. You had announcers and music and loudspeakers and hundreds of thousands watching on T.V. How was that the quietest place?”

“I can’t explain it,” said Jordan. “It just was.”

In his mind, he was so completely focused right there, in that moment, that everything else was gone. In Mushin, there is no past and there is no future. There is only now. We have created this concept of linear time, of 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days in a week. We all agree on the rules and we use it, we need it, to interact with one another and create societies. But it’s an artificial structure that bears no resemblance to the way our minds really work. Linear time has no bearing on consciousness.

In Mushin, there’s only this moment. And in this moment, duality ceases. There is no up or down, no left or right, no good or bad, no right or wrong. There just is. And then, from that state of centred calm, you react spontaneously and creatively. It happens and, when you’re able to let it happen, you cannot take credit for it. A great master said, “You don’t throw the punch. You don’t do the block. It happens to you. You are a conduit at best.”

Most teachers’ advice is think, think, and think. The zen masters advice is stop thinking.

Of course, if you’re performing technique incorrectly, then it could be that you need more physical practice. But at a certain point, your body can do it. What goes awry is that you’re thinking too much about it. You’re considering too many cases of either-or. You’re trying too hard.

Prepare, then Let Go

Sometimes, we really prepare for a situation that’s coming. A speech, a test, an event, a spotlight moment. We prepare intently. We make sure we have all our ducks in a row. We really understand our topic and we know what we’re going to do. And we still choke. Why? It’s because our minds become cluttered with all the thoughts, all the possibilities of things that could go right or wrong. We’re trying too hard. The water is too choppy. We have to just let go and let it happen. I’m not saying that you should not prepare. Preparation is very, very important. But once you’ve prepared and you’re ready and the moment comes to perform, then you have to let go. The struggle culminates in surrender. In Mushin, we’re surrendering to the consciousness of no-mind.  The chatter ceases and only the moment matters. We are no longer there, except as a part of the  universe. And so the universe is moving through us, with us.

In martial arts, whenever you attack, you’re thinking. You cannot enter the state of Mushin if you’re striving to attack. You must be defensive, but not calculating, not anticipating the other person’s movement or motion. You have to truly just be. You have to wait and be. The essence of Mushin lies in the breath. The breath and the mind are inseparable. The condition of one directly reflects the condition of the other. As your breathing slows, your mind slows. As your mind slows, the waters grow calm, turn to glass, and you’re able to touch that state of no-mind, the state that is going to help you not only in your practice, but every day throughout your life.

It is your thoughts that decide where you go as well as hinder you from knowing who you really are.

 Osu,

Sensei Matt, Shudokan Black Belt Academy – Aikido Nottingham