Here's the deep, dark secret about the martial arts: all adults who walk through the door do so for essentially the same, tactical reasons. It's some form of, "I want to feel confident in uncomfortable situations."
That is 100% legitimate. It drove me through the door, and if it hasn't already done the same for you - well you're reading this review so you've probably already got a hand on the knob. And here's the great news: regardless of the art, you are likely to reach that level of basic proficiency in between 3 and 9 months of serious study.
Some arts are more direct and brutal (Ki-YAH!), while others chart a more holistic course. Same goes for those uncomfortable situations - if it's a full-on zombie apocalypse you're probably buying yourself merely a few additional precious moments before joining the shambling hordes. Meanwhile, given one or two reasonably skilled attackers who don't take you by _complete_ surprise, your chances of deflecting, defending, and escaping are pretty darn good. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
OR MAYBE NOT. Because many of us - once we find ourselves immersed in the art - discover that there is an entire strategic world about which we knew nothing when those simple tactical drivers were pushing us through the door. Physicality, camaraderie, personal growth, social interaction, biomechanical study, self-reflection, spirituality, a kickass full-body workout... we find depths within the dojo we could never have imagined while peering through the window at all those flashy strikes, throws, and falls.
And that is where Crystal Aldrich enters the picture.
I was already a veteran aikidoist when Crystal walked through the door to our dojo, and among the first partners with whom she trained (full transparency: Crystal is way more skilled than I will ever be, blew by me in terms of dedication, knowledge, and rank in a hearbeat, and is now my mentor in the art). I could tell immediately that Crystal was a super special lady. Her spunk, humor, and speed-to-understanding were immediately apparent. As her tenure unfolded over time, she expanded in both breadth and depth well beyond the level that most of us ever attain. And I'm not just talking about her being a badass skull crusher. Sure she's got plenty of that - but she's also a kind, compassionate, and patient teacher. Crystal might be in command of the entire swirling universal mass that is aikido, but she knows how to convey that knowledge in digestible chunks that help her students follow the trail of breadcrumbs, score those "A-HA!" moments, and train at a level of intensity that keeps them feeling safe and confident along the way. Group classes, private lessons, public seminars - I keep coming back for more.
Adults are easy, but Crystal also ran the Children's Program at our own dojo for many years, subsequently bringing that same track record of success to other schools in our region. Through this work, she has introduced a whole generation of rough-and-tumble Jersey kids to the fun, power, and healthfulness that our art can provide. My own children, included. And while it's been years and both are off to college, they still hold dear their experiences and relationships with Crystal. Also, the Mini Ninja t-shirts - now tattered - that she handed down to them along the way...
The experience of entering an aikido dojo is like stepping aboard a moving freight train: a fast, fun, flashy whirlwind. I do not actually believe it is possible for any adult to engage in this course of study for more than just a few weeks without being drawn into the spirit, community, and physicality of the art. If you're considering jumping on that freight train, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better engineer, conductor, and caboose jockey than Crystal Aldrich. That lady got skills. All Aboard!
Instructors
Facility
Classes
Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
