Several years ago, while teaching at the PHAB Club in Jarrow, I noticed a young man sitting in a wheelchair watching the lesson. He was clearly interested in what was going on, as I could see from the centre of my Aikido mat.
I had the opportunity to speak with him during a break for cold beverages.
After we exchanged greetings, I discovered that he had been watching several of my classes via a window so he wouldn’t be spotted. He mentioned that he was really bashful and that entering the practise room took a lot of courage.
Aikido Demonstrations
He said that although he could see the Aikido demonstrations, he could not hear what was being said and his curiosity to find out more brought him into the room.
As I had taught Blind people, Deaf people, and people with learning difficulties over the last 25 years I said to him What’s stopping you from taking up Aikido.)
I said you have already taken several lessons just by observing, so you have actually visually and mentally started to be a martial artist. He said I never thought about it like that. He thanked me and said he would think about it and left the room to go back with his friends in an adjoining room.
After the break, I told the class that I was going to do a demonstrate Aikido from a chair
Which was duly placed in the middle of the mat by my assistant. After explaining to the class that Aikido is possible to be practiced by anyone even if they have disabilities,
The only proviso is it is up to the instructor to access the student’s limits (he/she may need a doctor’s approval, say for a heart condition) so common sense is an issue.
I duly did the demo from the chair which required only upper body movements and doing so noticed from the corner of my eye my friend again watching from afar.
Peter was hooked and the next lesson was his first. After helping him out of his chair we found that his best and most comfortable place was the safety of the corner of the matted area. It is taught that at the end of each technique students change partners so Peter trained with everyone including myself from his corner of the mat. He had a white Aikido suit on during practice and if he could he would have gone home wearing it because he was so proud.
This Is The Beauty Of Aikido.
It does not require vision or to hear it only requires you to be able to feel.
If the leg is disabled, you have upper body movement as in Peter’s case.
If blind you can sense touch.
Of course, there are limitations but that is down to the instructor and support staff to determine.
After several years he attained the rank of Black Belt in the art of Aikido. His Grading was no different from anyone else (only modified to his needs).
When Peter died in 1999 he was buried in his full aikido attire including his certificates,
His family said that the last months of his life were fused with quality because of his Aikido.
Other Martial Arts Beginners Are Also Reading
đź‘Ť Trending
- Make Good Decisions When Buying MMA Shorts
- Starting With Kickboxing
- Amazon Prime Day 2022 – Best Discounts For Martial Arts Accessories | Training Equipment Under COVID-19
- Martial Arts Protective Gear & Equipment | Black Friday Deals For Training Under COVID-19
- Get A Pro Quality Fight Jersey For MMA Training
- Using Boxing Gloves For Mixed Martial Arts Training
- Quality Fairtex Training Gear
- Why Wearing A Jiu Jitsu Gi Is Important When Training?
- Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Right For You?
- Five Equipment Essentials Of MMA Training
- MMA HeadWear And MMA Hats Are A Great Addition To Any Wardrobe
- Get A MMA Fight Jersey From Top Apparel & Clothing Brands
- Productive Training With MMA Training Gear And Martial Arts Training Equipment
- Today’s MMA Shorts And Grappling Shorts Offer Style And Performance
- MMA Training Pads And Proper Sparring Equipment Are Needed When Training MMA
- Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear Is Essential To Training Your Ground Game
- An MMA Mouth Guard Is Essential When Training Or Competing In MMA
- Men’s MMA Shorts And Fight Shorts Are Becoming More Stylish
- Womens MMA Gear & Womens MMA Clothing Becoming More Popular As The Sport Grows
- Using Fight Gear, MMA Gear And MMA Clothing To Train Right And Look Good!
- Definitions Of Various MMA Training Gear And Fighting Gear
- The Largest MMA Organization The UFC Is Now Taking Over MMA Fashion With UFC Clothing And Apparel
- Fairtex Training Gear Is One Of The Most Sought After Gear By MMA Enthusiasts
- Venum Clothing Is Making A Big Impact MMA With Their Unique Venum Fight Shorts
- About MMA Gloves And Where To Find MMA Gear
- MMA Rash Guards And Grappling Rash Guard Have Many Benefits When Training MMA
- Women’s MMA Gear, Clothing & Apparels Guide For Female Fighters!
- How Properly Use A Heavy Bag For Boxing?
- Is Sledgehammer Training Becoming A Key Part For MMA Training
- MMA Rash Guards Offer Extra Protection
- The Benefits Of Using A Free Standing Heavy Bag
- Mma Kickboxing
- Is A Muay Thai Bag Different Than A Boxing Bag?
- Major Advances In Men’s MMA Shorts
- Kickboxing And MMA Training Require Quality MMA Shin Guards
- Optimum MMA Training Begins With Quality MMA Training Gear
- HAPKIDO – An Organic Martial Art
- Looking Trendy With Ecko Unlimited And The New Ecko MMA Clothing Line
- Are Ice Baths Truly Effective At Relaxing Those Hurting MMA Muscles Away
đź‘Ť For Adults
- Looking Trendy With Ecko Unlimited And The New Ecko MMA Clothing Line
- Laws Relating To Self Defence By Martial Art
- Saying It Personally With Affliction Clothing
đź‘Ť For Kids
- Building Your Child’s Character By Enrolling Them In Ninjutsu And Other Martial Arts Training
- Explained By Expert: Differences Between Kung Fu Vs Taekwondo | Martial Arts In 2022
- Mma School
đź‘Ť Martial Arts Equiptments