What is a teacher? Is it because some one knows something that he can explain it? Why pedagogy is important? Are we safe on the mats? Such questions raise the constant question: Am I ready to be an Aikido teacher (or instructor)? A vision, an inspiration cannot be tough. O Sensei created Aikido. O Sensei had a vision of what should be his art. Today, as we know, Aikido is well spread in the world. We can find it in many different countries in the world. Any country has its specificities, and the teaching of Aikido is dependent on how does a particular culture can explain Aikido. From the essence, Japanese, how will Aikido concepts will be translated in Spanish, German, English, French, Turkish, Danish, Brazilian…and all, the list is too long. Please forgive me if I didn't mention your language, may be it is because I have no idea in how many different languages Aikido is explained in the world. I am sure I will have amazing surprises! So from Shinto's, to Descartes, passing by Goethe and Shakespeare, looking at Allah and the Samba, it is clear that every country has its own way to propose Aikido to new comers as well as advanced Aikidoka. The purpose of the article is not to dissert on how different it is, but may be in focusing on what common basis we have. What do we have in common, a spirit? A soul? Yes, but so many concepts… Let me see, what else do we have in common… yes, a body! That is simpler! Where ever we are, who ever what train with, it is always a hand, a foot, a head, some fingers, a heart. Yes that's a good beginning! So when we say we are teachers, instructors, may be we should look at the beginning, what body we have in front of us. How to protect this body, how to respect its limits, its possibilities, and try to help this body to maintain a physical harmony. In respect with this idea, Nippon Kan Brasil organized first aid classes
for all instructors. The goal is to explain and demonstrate to the instructors
how the dynamic of a class can represent a danger to the student, and
to be preparing for the first aid in case an accident will happen. |