O-Soji

Tonight is O-Soji at our dojo.  In the Japanese tradition, O-Soji is very much like spring cleaning, except that we do it as part of an end of year celebration.  We gather together in our dogi's and clean the dojo.  We wash the mats, dust, organize and generally do a "Big Clean up" (o-soji).  Following that effort we have a short but intense class, that in the past has included combinations of, 365 shomen giri with bokken, 365 back breakfalls, and even some hajime training.  The actual content varies, but the intent remains the same;  to burn off what remains of the year's energy.  Following the class there is a party on the mat with food and friends.  Together we celebrate the completion of a another successful training year.

One of the things I really like about O-Soji is that people often come out of the woodwork for this.  We get to see people who don't train on the same schedule as us or who have been away for some time.  It is a wonderful experience.

After O-Soji the dojo is closed until the new year.  We have a chance to rest and gather our intensions and resolutions for the new training year.  Please set some, whether your dojo observes O-Soji or not.  Goals can change, and being able to embrace or release as needed is very important, but intention focusses effort. During the week off, I will be setting my own, which I promise to list publicly.  That is another useful practice in setting intention.  For something like Aikido training goals, share them with someone who cares.  I don't know that that practice should be applied to all intentions, but here it seems useful.

One of the traditions associated with O-Soji is that of ending and beginning well.  We make sure to be at O-Soji because it is the last class fo the year.  We also make a great effort to attend the first class of the year.  In between, we do our best.

I hope this year has been good for you.  I hope it challenged you.  I hope you grew.  I hope, when the moment comes, that you are ready to let it go and embrace the new year.

Gambate!