Testimonials and Stories from Ki Society Students

[Mark Rubbert]

Here are some testimonials and stories I have received from Saint Louis Ki Society Students. Feel free to add your own.

[Mark Rubbert]

Ki in daily life
by Mark A. Whitehead
2nd Kyu (5th Kyu when I wrote this)

For as long as I can remember I have been claustrophobic.  I think it started when I was a small child. I could not stand to be in small tight places.  In 1998 after a long battle with a bad back, my doctor ordered a MRI. In case you have never had a MRI, this is how it works. You are slid into a long tube with about as much space as a coffin.  Your hands are strapped to your side. You are told not to move for about thirty minutes.  I lasted ten seconds.  In a complete panic, I screamed for the technician to get me the hell out of there. She did, and after apologizing for wasting her time, I rescheduled.  The second time, with the help of my wife and a strong sedative prescribe by my doctor, I was able to overcome my fear and sleep through the test.

I wanted to tell the previous story because a couple of weeks ago I accidentally injured my shoulder at practice ( Munetsuki Koteoroshi ). The X-rays showed something my doctor thought was worth examining, and he ordered; you guessed it; a MRI.  I did not think much about it because I had heard that advances in technology had made the latest machines more spacious than the one in which I had panicked.  This was not the case. The machine had not changed a bit.  So, there I was. No wife. No drugs. No alcohol. No gun.
The technician made me as comfortable as possible by positioning my shoulder in a special cup and strapping both of my arms down tight against my body. As I lay down on the table my stomach started to turn.   As the table began to move into the tube, the panic began to sweep over me. Then something made me think, "You can do this, you have been training now for eight months and you can do this." (Perform with confidence)

"Remember the rules.  Rule number one.  What was rule number one?  Let's see, do unto others…. no, it takes money to make money…..no, location, location, location……no no no!
Maintain one point; yes that is it. Ok how do you do that when you are flat on your back? Note to self: Ask Sensei.
Rule number two: Completely release all stress from your body. Ok, relaxing.
Rule number three: Let all your weight settle at its lowest point. Ok, relaxing a little more.
Rule number four: Extend ki.  Just like meditating at the dojo. Ok, relaxing more."

As the table begins to move out of the tube, I am completely relaxed and unconscious of my body. Not wanting to move I open my eyes, see the ceiling, and know it is over.  I have conquered my claustrophobia, if just for today, using only the principles of shin shin toitsu do. Thanks to all of you who have helped me, arigato-gosaimasu.

[Mark Rubbert]

Safe & Sound is a program of personal safety and security for social work professionals.

A recent Safe & Sound program for Community Alternatives staff received very positive reviews from all the participants. On the evaluation forms:

• 73% said the program addressed job related safety concerns extremely well and 18% said fairly well.

• When asked if the method of presentation of information was effective, 82% said the presentation was done extremely well and 18% said fairly well.

• 82% said their questions were addressed extremely well and 18% said fairly well.

• 82% said they would recommend this program to others.

Below are the comments we received on the evaluation forms.

“Excellent class, very informative, I really enjoyed it! Thank you.”

“I had a very good time in the class. I have become more aware of a lot of things that I wasn’t aware of before. I have shared the skills I have learned with others and it has been very informative and empowering. A good start for Friday mornings.”

“It’s very good just as it is!”

“This has been a wonderful time and I feel empowered after this class. Thank you!”

"Very pleased with program. Being aware and mindful, knowing I can always move some part of my body, knowing I can fall down easily are so helpful. I like the emphasis on not assuming someone's out to get you, but allowing them to slip gracefully past you, etc. All new to me! Thanks so much!"

[RandyC]

Hey Guys;

Had a chance to use Aikido last night and didn't even realize it!!

I was helping out with Peter's Little League practice, out in center field,
and the batter hit a ball in between me and the second-baseman.  So I ran
forward to try to scoop it up.  By the time I got there it was already on
the ground.  Misjudged my distance, overran it and tried to correct my
direction.  I got the ball in my glove but was completely off balance.  So I
rolled....  Came up looking at the second-baseman and threw it to him.

I didn't think anything of it, but Joe, the coach was looking at me with a
half-incredulous grin on his face.  He called out "Nice roll!"  Okay so the
game goes on.

It wasn't until after practice, and Peter and I were in the car headed back
that I realized what I'd done.  A perfect Aikido roll.  And Peter was
telling me that the other kids were pretty wierded out that his old man
(emphasis on 'old', they think I'm his grandfather, I'm approaching 55) could fall down and not
hurt himself. Yeah, you might think "so what?  I can do that too."  But the
kids on his team, and the coaches don't know that.  To them, I'm slower,
more out of shape, and probably shouldn't be out in the field, trying for
those grounders.

[Mark Rubbert]

I taught a Relax & Renew stress management class for the 8th Circuit Court Librarians. They recently sent a letter saying the participants are benefiting at work and at home. Click HERE to see the letter.

[Mark Rubbert]

Here are a couple more items that were sent to me.

The first is from Marc Scher. Marc is a fitness trainer that began training at Saint Louis Ki Society in August, 2003. He has a Masters degree in exercise physiology, and an interesting perspective on Aikido. Click HERE for a PDF version of what he has to say.

Robert Carreon was only with us a relatively short time, but like so many, the training had in important impact on his life. Click HERE to read about how it affected the start of his career as a 10^th grade World History teacher (I really like this kind of story).

[Mark Rubbert]

A new year, and trying to clean up and organize my office. I came across something a student gave me many years ago. I get things like this from time to time, and now I have something to do with them. Put them online to share. So below is an account of Senshin no Gyo from quite a number of years ago, from a student that trained with us for several years. I've lost touch with him, but last I heard he was continuing his training, and had an acting job in Tuscon Arizona.

THE SPICE OF LIFE:
Missouri Senshin training

by Hal Melfi
1/27/1984

Living day to day, waking, eating, sleeping, waking, eating .…. well, you get the idea. It is only natural that we crave variety, hungry for new experience to excite the senses and enliven the spirit. So when a date was set at the St. Louis dojo for the annual Senshin training, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

A group of us set out that January morning for the St. Francis River near Fredericktown. For some of us it was our first time, but those who had done it before assured the rest of us that Senshin training is always a fresh challenge.

We found the river caked with ice. The river bed was made up of rocks of every shape and size and looked treacherous (sometimes variety can be a nuisance). Finally, we chose a spot and proceeded with our warm-ups. Then we waded into the icy, churning waters.

We formed a circle and, joining hands, started shouting our ki-ai. As my concentration on the One Point wavered, I felt the swirling waters gnaw at my flesh. But the group spirit was so strong that there seemed no other place for me but there in the river, chanting as loud as everyone else.

Before long, we were on the shore drying ourselves. I felt satisfied that I had had enough variety for one day. I also felt that I had learned a very basic lesson about the significance of maintaining the One Point.

Immediately following we all sat down to a delicious vegetarian lunch, which made the day complete. For if variety is the spice of life, then surely hunger is the main course. And, after doing Senshin training, food never tasted so good! See you next year.