the role of water in aikido

This won't be a dramatic or flowery poetic post about how our techniques need to be fluid or how we need to harden or soften based on how our opponent moves, even though these lessons are important. Rather, I'm dedicating this particular post to be more like the three major instances I've noticed how water takes place in an aikido person's training.

1. Onsen - Most of the time, you'll end up showering after practice. However, during the seminars I've had in Japan, there are times you'll be staying at a hotel with an onsen, and you get to soak in thermal spa water and undo all the sore spots you get from training. Folks will stay in for about 45 minutes to an hour at a time, and sometimes we'll go in twice or maybe three times in a given day, if we're lucky.

2. Misogi - This is a ritual purification that martial artists will do, the practice coming from the Shinto tradition. They will go to a waterfall or a river or some other water source wearing loin cloths or a robe and either dowse themselves with water or drinking from the water source, depending on the group or individual's preferences.

3. Beer - This is arguably the most important part of aikido practice. I know it's not technically water, but it is the main ingredient. Nothing beats coming out of practice with your friends, going to the local bar of choice, and throwing back a couple of pitchers of ice cold brew.

Anyway, I've been trying to capture the essence of an old school dojo by the thermal waters in Nagano during the winter time (I know this is oddly specific).