Martial Arts During My Temp Work Carreer, ‘Till Retirement

Most evenings and weekends, I worked on perfecting my own styles of martial arts, Aiki-jujitsu and Aikido, and Tai Chi Chuan. I also took lessons in Bagua Zhang and Xingyiquan. But I didn’t get very far in them, just not enough time. I should have started them as a child, or at least as a young man. As it was, they did help my understanding of the other arts I was pursuing.

I learned and was teaching (as an assistant instructor) a Shaolin form of Tai Chi that was taught to my teacher by Master Ong of Canton, OH. Tim L. was the main instructor. I picked up classes in rec centers in Aurora and Bainbridge that Tim didn’t have time for.

Later, he opened his own studio in Twinsburg, called The Silent Mind, where I taught Aiki-jujitsu and later Aikido three times a week, Tues, Thurs, and Sunday morning that gave me a little more income besides my subbing and the other part-time endeavors. Tim taught kung fu and Tai Chi Chuan.

About a year after opening his studio, Tim hired Vladimir S., Shihan of Three Streams Aikido, to teach the Aiki-jujitsu and Aikido classes. Valdimir kept me on as his assistant. I retired from teaching duties when I retired from working temp day jobs on 12/31/09. 

During the 12 or so years from Kinetico till retirement, I had worked my way up to Yondan in both Aikido and Aiki-jujitsu. Those degrees were authorized by Vladimir S., Shihan. No, I didn’t progress any more in Judo since I had quit it in favor of the other arts I was practicing. Part of that training was in Iaido (quick-draw with a katana – long-sword).

After I retired, I continued to practice Aikido and Tai Chi, but only as a class participant, to improve my personal technique and to continue conditioning.

To be Continued

–LE