Aikido founded and developed at first time by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969). Ueshiba developed Aikido by combining some techniques of martial arts that he had learnt like Jujitsu, Kenjutsu and others effective japanese martial art.

I learned Aikido for the first time at 1987 in Jakarta. Fortunatelly, not far after, Indonesia got instructor aid in sport section from Japan , one of them was Aikido . The Aikido instructor came from Aikido Kobayashi Dojo that sponsored by JOCV ( Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunter ). The instructor was Kobayashi Hiroaki.

At around 1991, I got chance to learn aikido in Japan for 3.5 months, as Uchidesi in Kobayashi Dojo , that sponsored by Shihan Yasuo Kobayashi 8th Dan, based on Hiroaki Kobayashi initiatives.

At that time, I went with a friend from Indonesia. Arrived there, we were brought to visit Aikido World Headquarter by Shihan Yasuo Kobayasi, the father of Hiroaki Kobayasihi. I am really gratefull and thank him to give me chance in meeting & knowing Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba. In that place, we could see the aikido members come from many countries practicing aikido in Hombu Dojo.

Ben’s Dojo itself started in 1999, placed in Ruko taman Galaxy Indah, Kalimalang, Bekasi Selatan. At Mei 2006 I propose to be affiliated Of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, Tokyo, Japan. Hiroaki Kobayashi sensei welcome us with good response and agree for us to be affiliated of Aikido Kobayashi Tokyo Japan, with approval from Shihan Yasuo Kobayashi.

With aikido learning experiences for about 2 years trained by Hiroaki Kobayashi sensei while he was in Indonesia and three and a half months practiced in Kobayashi Dojo Japan, so many knowledge and experience I got. Basically, not only the aikido technique (waza) that needed in learning aikido in a right way.

The learning process in aikido is a life time process. The basic things are the main stream which can encourage people to learn more, having experience to achieve the learning goal in right and proper way. Indeed, all people can talk much about dicipline, spirit, harmony, open minded, honesty, humbleness, etc. But surely we should realise that words can not always be implemented linear with daily action, but as far as we keep our good intention always, that’s really a good point. How to get it all ? …… Practice aikido in our whole life.

I had a little experience which bring great benefit, while I lived in Kobayashi Dojo, I followed the “Japanese Tea Ceremony”. In that occasion, there were rules should be followed because it was a Japanese tradition. As example, the rules to enter the drinking area, the ways to open and close the door while somebody ‘s coming, the way to drink, the way to sit in long time – “zagi” – aikido sitting position which also reflecting Japanese tradition. For most people, maybe they will think all the rules and ways of this tradition are useless and not worth at all. But all of the action and the rules in that Tea Ceremony actually teach me more about humbleness, mentality, peace and dicipline.

My own conclusion in this matters is in learning aikido we should be honest, extra patient, high spirit, consistency in practicing, open & wise minded, free of useless mind in our soul. That’s what I get in this aikido learning.

How to teach aikido to the beginner ?

Teaching aikido to the beginner usually meet many barriers, but that is also part of the learning process for me in teaching.
Really need an extra patient to teach the beginner, because without that will be very difficult to give them good kihon waza. The beginner usually asking many questions and even indirectly testing the instructor’s capability. Here the instructor should not always reply all questions but he should understand the contain of their questions.