There is no better time to start or come back to Aikido than right now

Posted on 18/01/201302/02/2015 by Matt Hill

So, a few days into the New Year, I hope that it is going well for you so far.

Statistically Monday 21st January is the bluest Monday of the year. I want to help you make sure that it is not.

There is no better time to come back to or to start Aikido. Full stop. Let me tell you why.

If you are thinking of trying Aikido for the first time you wont be alone. We have a core of new starters so we are spending a lot of time covering the basics which means that much of the teaching is really simple and accessible. The new starters have of course been made very welcome in the club and are already part of the team.

Make this year the one where you achieve that long term goal of reaching the next grade or level of proficiency. Maybe that elusive Shodan? We now have 6 black belt instructors in the club and a number of students who will be preparing to go for thier black belt test this year. Last year those going for thier Shodan were so keen that they did regular Saturday morning sessions at our new venue, Christie Miller Sports Centre in Melksham to prepare. And it worked, they passed with flying colours!

Taking up a new activity that engages and energises the body, mind and spirit will improve and enthuse all areas of your life. Pebbles in the pond. You will be amazed how the smallest changes reap big rewards over time. As the old saying goes, ‘Sowing an act creates a habit, sowing a habit creates a character and sowing a character creates a destiny.‘ Just the small one act of taking up a wholesome, healthy activity, with like minded companionship will reap rewards that are felt way beyond the walls of the dojo. Create the habit which has changed the lives of so many over the years.

Health is Wealth and exercise is the catalyst. As Jack Lalane said, ‘that’s what makes everything happen, your digestion, your elimination, your sex life, your skin, hair, everything about you depends on circulation. And how do you increase circulation? – Fun Exercise.

Martial Arts training is a fun and beneficial way to reap the benefits of exercise without the boredom of a gym or plodding the streets. According to Dr. Steven Blair of the University of South Carolina, just 30 minutes of exercise every day will garner all of the physical activity necessary to reduce your mortality rate by 50%.

According to Dr. Blair its not obesity that is shortening our lives, but lack of physical activity. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day will do this (think suburi, kettlebells, stretching, walking) and the evening is one of the best times to do this. Research shows that moderate exercise after a meal high in fat and calories can help immediately lower harmful levels of blood triglycerides.

And, you will be meeting regularly with some of the nicest, most genuine and helpful people you will ever have the pleasure to meet. I am immeasurably proud of the members of our club. They are always there for each other in support and friendship both on and off the mat. They are a very special group of people.

If you want to give yourself the best start to 2013 click here to sign up or sign back up and give yourself the energy, enthusiasm and motivation to make 2013 your best year yet. Monthly payments mean classes now start from as little as (£4.80 per session)

Still unsure – read what people are saying about training:

“Thank you Aikido, for welcoming me back on the mat after a year, for allowing me – for the small price of wearing the most unfetching outfit, trimming my nails down to nothing and bruising my arms to bits – to feel once again the magical flowing great buzz of beautiful aiki harmony, to throw great blackbelt men across the room again, and to experience that utterly exhausted sense of blissful peace at the end of the class.”
Miriam Zaccarelli

“Some of the most challenging and exciting moments of my life are connected to Seend Aikido club. I am thinking not only of Sensei Matt’s weekly classes but also his Woodland courses, Uchi Deshis, his amazing Aikido session amongst the megaliths of Stonehenge and last but not least my nail-biting shodan test. Until it actually happened, being awarded my black belt seemed very much like an impossible dream. When I look back on those unforgettable and truly life-changing moments, it is obvious that none of it would have happened without Sensei Matt’s inspiring teaching and vision. “Possibly the best Aikido dojo in the world” might sound like I am gushing but it is my sincere opinion.”
Isabelle Vinet

“The dojo is where we stand.” This commonly used quote in aikido truly represents Matt Hill’s ability to lead structured, safe and inspiring woodland courses. Matts skills lie in empowering the individual to look within and find that centre, the point of truth which connects us all to the universe”
Karl Durrant Templegate Aikido

“I first met Matt several years ago at an Aikido Seminar he organised, since then I have attended many Seminars, training sessions and Uchi Deshi experiences organised and run by Matt. I have found the experiences to be rewarding on many levels. Matt is an inspirational person, his welcoming friendly exterior belies an individual of immense character, determination and knowledge. On a practical level his seminars, events and training are all planned with military thoroughness, no detail is too small to ensure the smooth running of any endeavour. On a personal level no matter how big or complex the situation, Matt endeavours to ensure that each and every person is given the opportunity to grow and learn from the experience. I would heartily recommend anyone to grasp with both hands any opportunity to learn from such a gifted Teacher and communicator as Matt whether it be Aikido related or wild adventure themed. I for one have benefited greatly from Matt’s company and knowledge and fully intend to continue attending further courses and events as part of my own personal development journey.”
Phil Murrow

“My name is Paul Sparks and I attended Matt’s woodland Aikido course three years ago. I found it life changing for me as I confronted some personal fears, overcame them and went on to change my direction in life. I now have a successful organisation, www.lancashirebushcraft.co.uk , teach outdoor courses and activities regularly and become a permanent Aikido student of Matt. Matt is an inspirational teacher with lots to give to anyone who wishes to learn”
Paul Sparks

“Just wanted to thank you for a fantastic day on Saturday, really enjoyed it and took away some pretty profound realisations about my Aikido, my training and my general wellbeing. Truly inspired. Hope to see you again soon.”
Brian Murray.

Read more testimonials on the website here

Taking your Aikido to Genius Level in 2013

Posted on 11/01/201302/02/2015 by Matt Hill

If I could encourage you to do three things to improve how you perform it would be these: get enough sleep; drink enough water, and goal setting. How many of us find ourselves drifting along in our training with no real focus to what we are doing? Aikido and the Martial Arts are such a vast topic that it helps to be specific in our approach to our training.

I want to help you to make 2013 a game changing and stunning year in your Aikido and Martial Arts Development. How best can we do that? Its no secret. We set a goal or two. This is the most powerful way I know of generating improvement and with consistency over time, getting us to an outstanding level.

There are four key stages.

First, begin with the end in mind. We decide what we want to achieve out of the next 354 days of the year (yes eleven gone already!). So, think of where you would like to be in your Aikido a year from now. It could be that you want to improve your execution of a particular technique or principle. Maybe you want to emulate someone you know or have seen. For many it will be to reach our next grading. As an instructor maybe you want to grow your club, or improve your teaching. It doesn’t matter what the goal is as long as you can measure when you have achieved it.
BIG P.S. It helps if you know why you want to achieve this goal. Motivation.
Have a plan for getting there. Is it that you are going to attend every session? Or start making an extra session per week. Are you going to do 1 hour each weekend of suburi? Is it that you are going to add fitness training to your regime? Are you going to get up 30 mins earlier each day to train in the morning? Are you going to practice meditation daily to bring more focus and control to your Aikido? Are you going to start advertising to grow your club? Are you going to video your training once a month to critique yourself? Are you going to go on a seminar to expose yourself to new methods and experiences?
Know if it is working – Next regularly monitor your have progress towards your goal in line with your plan. Get feedback from others in your clubs and use this post to update yourself and your peers.

Taking action: Now this post isn’t about positive thinking. I don’t go for that. Its not about setting a goal and hoping it will happen. Positive thinking says you stand in front of a mirror saying “I want big muscles, I want big muscles…” hoping they will appear. No, what you now need to do is work your plan to achieve your goal with passion and consistency and enjoy the feeling of being committed and on the path to genius level every step of the way.

So in summary you need to know what you want, why you want it, have a plan and then know if it is working. That simple. So when you post a reply below it might look something like this:

What: I want to take a trip to Japan for 2 weeks from the 4th to the 18th November 2013
Why: This is a lifetime ambition and this this will improve my aikido, my confidence and broaden my experience.
How: I am saving £75 per month to fund it, doing morning suburi and asking Matt Sensei to request an approval from Hitohira Sensei.

Now visualise yourself achieving the goal – this is a topic all by itself and almost warrants a post of its own due to its power to create your future.

Finally: Commitment to paper is commitment to action. So today, give yourself a gift: Sit down with a nice cup of tea or coffee. Sharpen a pencil or turn on your computer and then write out where you want your Aikido and the next 354 days to take you. Then post it as a reply below. If commitment to paper is commitment to action, commitment to your peers doubles the motivation. It’s a lot easier than you may think. And the last tip – Don’t make it too easy otherwise on December 31st 2013 you’ll wish you had made it harder!

The 40 Aikido and life lessons that 2012 taught me

Posted on 01/01/201314/02/2013 by Matt Hill

Here are 40 of the best lessons that I have learnt, had reinforced or found a new angle on in 2012: Hope they ring a few bells for you:

If you’re not improving something at each session, you’re going stale and backwards.
If you want an A-Level dojo, you can’t afford to settle for B-Level practice.
Practice Atemi in your aikido.
Practice against free attacks, punches, kicks, grabs, rugby tackles – taking the speed out of the training. This is where Takemusu lies.
Regularly practice multiple attack work – it is vital to efficacy and understanding O’Sensei’s magic.
When doing techniques look for complete precision. When doing randori look for takemusu.
Get hit – done right this can be therapeutic, honestly! And it is very good for your budo.
Transform your fitness and you’ll transform your Aikido.
Don’t waste time in bickering about other styles, train instead.
Exercising for 20 minutes first thing in the morning is a game-changer. As a teacher try to give your students exercises that they can do in their own time.
It is when you least want to get up and go training that you are going to get the most out of it personally.
Don’t do it if you’re not having fun. It is the job of the teacher to make training stretching and fun and the job of the students to bring enthusiasm to it.
If you’re not scared a lot you’re not improving and growing very much.
It’s never been easier to be of service to a large amount of people in aikido (and few things are as rewarding).
People are craving transparency, authenticity and community. Give it to them through your dojo.
Progress comes in hills and plateaus. Understand this and your approach to training becomes much more relaxed. (I’ve been working on integrating this lesson for years).
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax (When you relax, your brain shifts into alpha state–the time when real breakthroughs and those profound realisations present themselves).
Change is hard at the beginning, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. (And without change, there is no progress).
Dream big in your Aikido – plan a trip to Iwama, or Japan or a big seminar – push your boundaries. Aim for that which you think is out of reach.
Pursue excellence versus chasing perfection.
Celebrate small wins in your club and with your peers and you’ll unleash a huge amount of momentum and positive energy.
“There is no purpose in wanting or pursuing many techniques. To master a technique, one needs to make each technique, one by one, his/her own.” – O’Sensei, Budo.
“I don’t fear the man who has done 1000 kicks once, I fear the man who has done 1 kick 1000 times.” – Bruce Lee
Begin with the end in mind: We should not lose sight of the fact that our aim in aikido is not to master techniques but to master the principles of aiki through the techniques.
Delete ‘victimspeak’ from your training. No more “I can’t” and “It’s not possible” and “It’s so hard.” More “I will” and “This is awesome” and “I can”
If you inspire one person each session, your class hasn’t been a waste. It’s been a blessing.
Live an amazing path in Aikido but enjoy your life, family and friends along the way. What’s the point of becoming an Aikido legend but a failed human being.
Look people in the eyes when you talk to them on the mat. Smile at people when you train. Say “please” to respect them. And “thank you” to appreciate them.
Don’t be on time–Be early.
The person who tries to master everything at once achieves nothing. Focus. Focus. Focus. **More on this with the goal planning to come
Spend time in silence each day. You’ll never do O’Sensei level work if you’re over stimulated by technology.
Your behaviour on the mat broadcasts your truest beliefs.
To have the results only 5% of Martial artists in the world have, have the guts to do what only 5% of the Martial artists in the world are willing to do.
World-class begins when you think you’ve done a great session but know you can do a better session.
Everyone’s in Aikido Human Resources. And we are all there to develop the talents of the people we train with.
Mediocrity is a mindset. Avoid the mental viruses of negative people.
Problems and loss of motivation come to test your commitment to your goals, hopes and dreams.
Begin to feel energised through your practice – be like a dynamo. You should generate Kokyu energy.
At the end Budo is as much about what you take out as what you put in. Rid yourself of tension, fear, doubt, redundant and superfluous movement and unnatural or incorrect movement. Your movements need to be precise, calm and powerful.
Use your time in Aikido to make the world a better place.

Enjoy your training and let 2013 take your Aikido to new heights.

Inspired by Robin Sharma’s 50 lessons of 2012. If you haven’t read his stuff check out, ‘The monk who sold his Ferrari’ – awesome book.

In Aiki,

Matt.