Hibi Shoshin

After our dojo Kokoro e under Coyle sensei decided to follow the teachings of Chiba sensei, we as a dojo decided to go to a course in the North East of England, to train with Chiba sensei. It was one of my first meetings with Chiba sensei and it was a soul searching insight into HIBI SHOSHIN. I had been training for about 4 years and had received SHODAN from NORO MASAMICHI SENSEI. At this particular seminar I wore ,as usual, my hakama and dan grade . Later in the keiko CHIBA SENSEI graded me AND COYLE SENSEI FROM BLACK BELT TO WHITE BELT. He informed Coyle sensei and myself that while we were training with the correct spirit and that our movement was correct, THERE WAS SOMETHING MISSING. I had been copying NORO SENSEI'S way of moving giving all of the appearance of aikido. I had made the most common mistake at that time. I had BEGAN my training in flexible way techniques before developing SOLID PRINCIPLES . I had a choice. To return to our dojo in Scotland and continue with my own training or to confront myself and place myself in CHIBA SENSEI'S hands. This was also expressed to Coyle sensei by Chiba sensei. I was accepted by Chiba sensei and was uke to him on many occasions when he visited Scotland and at other seminars, mostly ukemi was taken by Coyle sensei. I HAD BEEN CONTENT WITH MY AIKIDO I WAS TRAINING HARD AND SINCERELY BUT I HAD BEGUN INCORRECTLY. I SHALL NEVER BE ABLE TO THANK CHIBA SENSEI FOR THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED, AND FOR ME TO REALISE HIBI SHOSHON AND TO RETURN TO THE BEGINNER'S MIND THAT I HAD POSSESSED WHEN I FIRST APPROACHED AIKIDO. AND WHICH I RETURN TO AT EACH AND EVERY KEIKO.

If anyone is interested, at the end of the 2 day seminar Chiba sensei reinstated my shodan I received from Noro sensei . Chiba sensei regraded Coyle sensei to nidan and made him National coach for Scotland.