Cynthia Hayashi shares about how martial arts helped in her self-exploration.
The martial art known as Aikido is about finding and maintaining balance. As a seventh degree black belt in Aikido, I’ve taught students over the last 50 years how to peacefully resolve conflicts. I was fortunate to have a great sensei named Frank Doran who instilled in me the principle of doing the right thing, holding myself to a higher standard as a teacher and always embodying compassion.
My father always wanted me to do a martial art. I started practicing Aikido after graduating from City College in San Francisco. I was impressed with the fluid movements and the friendly teacher who spoke to me. As my training progressed, I learned that Aikido is not just a martial art; it’s a way of life. This allowed me to pursue who I was and figure out how I could matter in this world. My higher rank was the result of years of self-exploration and helping others find themselves.
Aikido teaches us that there is light and dark; Yin and Yang. We must know the darkness in order to support and maintain the light in our world. We must always strive to do the right thing so that the darkness can be held at bay. We practiced being attacked and bringing the attacker under control. We learn to maintain calmness and choose the right response to the attack.
I have hope that the best of humanity will rise to support our world, that is a tapestry of many colors and textures. I have hope that we will realize that we are one race: the human race. I have hope that the people will rise to be one with each other. I have hope that we will find balance. I will always have hope. With a Perspective, I’m Cynthia Hayashi.