Fantastic!

Today's class was simply fantastic. The Shihan brought out some techniques that would wake up even the creamiest cream puff...sharp foot movement, specific hand placement and everyone from 5th kyu through nidan was subjected to being an Uke to the Shihan. No one was able to escape tonite. The class was alive, attentive and quite vibrant. I couldn't train tonite, as I continue to heal; BUT my mind and spirit was on the mat. I loved every moment of it..even those techniques that challenged my courage abit.

My aikido spirit is alive!

Importance of Cleanliness and Hygene when training

I had to pleasure to read Ms. Janet Rosen's blog about hygene. I concur with her position completely. I would like to understand what it will take for Dojos to begin to enforce strict hygene rules? I guess, the fear is that the dojo will lose students. Given that Dojos have a high turnover rate, I guess I can understand that.

BUT, I would like to be at least somewhat comfortable with my training environment. I would like to feel like the dojo does what it can to reduce the risk of students contracting communicable diseases, staph infections and flesh eating bacteria.

Hygene is very, very important. Most health professionals understand this. However, in this age of people rejecting the premises of modern medicine, it has become increasingly difficult to get folks to comply with simple habits of cleanliness. Disinfectants are needed, anti-bacterials are necessary. Natural is good, but not always strong enough to kill particular bacteria, or viruses.

This weekend I refused to get on the mat, because it hadn't been properly cleaned in months. Then the sensei and his senior student proceeded to "wash" the mats using a green disinfectant on a dirty mop and rag. That was after, the senior student talked about just wiping the mat down with "water".

I'm going to say this harsh word....Ridiculous!

Why is it so rare to see hygenic practices?