New Year’s Message 2022

“ ‘How can you fight with sunlight? It has already won before you start.’ If you align yourself with the fundamental principles that govern the universe, then your actions will leave room for universal principles to naturally come into play.” AN

New Year 2022!!

I wish you all a joyous and vigorous New Year!!! Traditionally, New Year’s Day practice at the dojo is a big deal. Our community has gathered for 27 years, welcoming in a new possibility, a new cycle of life, sharing a ritual to set intention, up-level our lives with conviction and refresh our hope for the future. We want to feel that first magical blend of the year. Historically it’s a grand day of renewing our commitment to practice and acknowledging deep friendships. But this year’s circumstances foreshadowed a tricky meet. Right up to the day we prepared to cancel, as we wrestled with lingering snow, the promise of more on the way, and, of course, Omicron.

But we had to gather! We offered class, both in person and on zoom, led by our senior instructors David Hurley and Greg Mock Senseis and myself. After class, we observed the personal demonstrations of 3 members of our community who have trained rigorously throughout Covid in acknowledgement of their 3rd and 4th degree advancements in the art. Despite all of the challenges, it was a remarkable day in the life of our dojo. Even in facing the difficulty of keeping our practice aikido alive, we could whirl about the mat in celebration this first day of a new year.

So many things became utterly clear through these demonstrations. All three presenters are women who are 45 or older. All have trained consistently for over 20 years. And, all of these women have embraced a leadership role in the dojo, teaching and organizing in ways that became essential to the survival of our school through COVID-19. They share a deep understanding of the power of persistence, of simply showing up to study, even when it was initially difficult or seemingly impossible.

Michelle Pleasant began her training at Two Cranes in 2005. She has also practiced kajukenbo for 30 plus years and is the Chief Instructor of Fusion Kung Fu in Seattle. Michelle is a firecracker! With a smile on her face, she slices you in two with her swords and weaves across the floor in randori as though putting out a brush fire. Or maybe starting one! Congratulations on the rank of Sandan.

Lynda Freeman Matsumoto, now Yondan, 4th degree black belt, began her training in 1999. You might describe her as a wisp of smoke disappearing in ether. She is airy, gentle, precise and sharp in expression. A master snowboarder, she has combined all of her skills to step into the role of TCA Youth Director. No one is more welcoming to our children and teens than Lynda. Just to be clear: due to a topsy-turvy moment with a sled resulting in a broken foot, Lynda will offer her demo in April.

If Lynda embodies the quality of air, Taryn Sass, who demonstrated for Yondan, is solid earth. She grounds her feet deeply into the mat and casts her spell out through the dojo like a spider winding a spiral web through space. In addition to aikido, Taryn has dedicated her heart to tai chi. When she demonstrated the fan form, you could hear a piercing sound of the fan opening and closing, flick-flick, like a Bruce Lee one-inch punch. Taryn brings her genuine essence to the mat both as a student and an instructor, and--a spider.

Motomichi Anno Sensei reminds us that as we stand on the floating bridge of heaven we can demonstrate “issho-kenmei” - giving our utmost to everything We can train to be of benefit to others. Michelle’s clarity, Lynda’s precision and Taryn’s ground is at their core a demonstration of a solid foundation of aiki centeredness, vigor and kindness. They show how we can use practice to embrace the delights and challenges of our lives going forward. I appreciate the dedication they share with the community and beyond.

As we move into the spring time, I look forward to seeing you all as we invest in a revived way to joyfully practice together in spirit and body.

Heart,

Kimberly