Half Runner Half Ninja

Let me tell you a secret. I have told this to some friends but I don't want to keep this anymore so let me share this one out. I am a half ninja. How you may say?

You see, when I was young, I was addicted to Japanese Anime. And I've always wanted to learn any martial arts. I was also addicted to Jackie Chan films (which was Chinese but who cares, it's still martial arts! :D) so I added learning any martial art on my list of skills on my bucket list. Add the fact that I really really wanna kick ass.

I was eyeing on either Wushu or Tapondo - since I am seeing a visible dojo along EDSA Cubao. But, when I was assigned at Makati for an assignment, I saw a dojo along the street my hotel was at. It was an Aikido dojo. I told my college friend about this she was thrilled, then I called to check how it goes, the owner was kind enough to explain how it is and we can try it, if we don't like it, we can always back off.

So we both attended our first session, we didn't get to do the drills first but we were taught how to do the basics - mostly rolling. My body got sore for days after the first session. I loved it. I returned for more, but I was afraid of some drills that I only committed to once a week session. I also got the courage to go alone since my friend already left the country to work at Singapore.

Then, I got bitten by a dog and went into a slump, I did not attend for a while - about 6 mos. When I returned, there were new faces and the people I started with were already carrying blue belts. I was not getting any of the drills properly, and the sensei is already asking me to level up. So, I decided to attend more, I am currently attending twice a week.

As I watched a fellow student on his 3rd Kyu (Kyu - Level/Grade of belt) exams, I was already getting how every drill is named. At that time, I thought, I am half ready, my form and footwork sucked though. I waited for two months more, then asked to have my first exam.

I usually stress myself over something so trivial such as this. And, I don't like being in front of so many people, so, I got scared before this exam. I tried memorizing everything but it seems I can never be ready. At the day of the exam, I sucked at footwork, but still passed it since I did the drills right (haha I think).

From this point on, I thought what I wanna do with this skill. I still haven't internalized the skills and I still sucked on my footwork. But in every session I attend, I get to learn more not only the skills but more about myself. My fears - falling, to be injured, meeting new people - and the things that need to improved - my pose, I tend to slouch and I carry on with this when I do the drills.

All-in-all, this does not only teach me how to be a ninja girl but it also improves me in little ways bit-by-bit. I love it, I will always look forward to attend and I hope I get to wear the black kata someday.

Me with the Fudoshin Aikido dojo team and the Guangzhou team