I’m a relatively new Aikido student (Aikidoka) of Sensei Cody Lewallen at the Tucson Aikido Shoubu dojo and I have a story I would like to share.
I enrolled with the expectation of just learning Aikido as it was meant to be taught; the old fashioned way just like in Japan where it originated. I chose Sensei Lewallen not only because I thought he was one of the best there is, but also because his passion for Aikido is inspiring. What I got is all that and so much more.
In my first weeks at the Shoubu dojo I just kinda went through the motions of stretching, anxious to get to the main course. I remember thinking to myself “Lets train! Come on, enough aerobics”. As weeks went by I started to notice that my back was not sore the entire day after 50-60 miles on my bike. Wow! All of the sudden stretching not only made me a better Aikidoka but a better cyclist as well. I was so curious by the shared benefits between these two sports I have such a passion for I started picking Sensei Lewallen’s thoughts on everything. Sensei Lewallen shares with me what he knows and that makes me a better Aikidoka, but in reality what I walked away with from our discussions and training might have very well saved my life on a certain Thursday in the fall of 2009.
On a warm early fall afternoon I was commuting home in the bike lane heading east when I heard the noise of a car accelerating. I looked to my left and saw a white Chrysler accelerating and closing fast with only a couple feet separating me and a few thousand pounds of metal. In that instant one thought crossed my mind and it was not optimistic at all. So I turned my head straight and closed my eyes as to ease my way. Then BOOM! The impact followed by silence. I opened my eyes expecting a bright light and what I saw was me flying upside down and backwards in the same direction I was heading, but oddly enough my bike was rocketing at twice the speed in the opposite direction. After that, training must’ve taken over. The first thing Sensei teaches us is how to roll/ how to take a fall. He always emphasizes the importance of it. That repetitiveness over those months of training paid off.
I keep whats left of my bike to remind me of that scary day, also the little things (such as learning to fall) that can have such a huge benefit, that you don’t have to be a young dog to learn new tricks, give as much as you expect to get out of something, open your mind by applying things you learn in a specific teaching to other areas of your life.
Those of you in the cycling community that may read this; look for the Shoubu dojo logo on the jersey sleeves of your fellow cyclists. I and hopefully many more will wear it showing our dedication to the benefits of training with Sensei Lewallen. In turn the Shoubu dojo supports the safety of our Arizona cycling community.