Need Advice on Returning to a class

[Kolchakfan]

First I want to say I really enjoy reading these forums. There are a lot of really well informed and open minded people here.

I was in a TKD class for several years,having earned a Black Belt. But when my fiancee at the time was killed by a Drunk Driver I walked away from it and pretty much everything else. It has been quite a few years since I have been to a class but very shortly I plan on returning to a Martial Arts class. I have studied all of the classes in my area and have decided on an Aikido class. It seems to fit me where I am in my life.

I was wondering if you could recommend some Books and videos that would be helpful as a supplement to training and as General knowledge.

Kolchakfan

TKD

[Goldtooth]

I ironically took a 5 year hiatus from martial arts myself, and recently started where i left off. I also cross train in aikido, and actually get more aikido mat time in than Cuong Nhu atm due to the proximity of the different dojos and my capacity to commute.

Two outstanding aikido books are 'The Spirit of Aikido' by Kisshomaru Ueshiba (son of the founder), and Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere, by A Westbrook and O Ratti. Spirit is a teenie tiny book, but it is packed with heady material and philosphy, and also discuss many of the signature techniques of the style. Sphere is a huge book, with outstanding pictures, and it has a very straightforward, detailed approach to technique and philoshpy with little amibiguity or complicated passages.

As far as restarting in MA, just ease into it. If you end up restarting in a system you did a long time ago, just make sure you do a repass of your foundation before you plunge into advanced practice. Also, while you might feel you dont deserve your rank (a sentiment reflected from all ranks who take a few years off), you still earned it, so dont be afraid to wear the belt you had 8 years ago. Of course, your best tool to have a succesful relaunch into martial arts is a good attitude. Be sure to communicate your background, as much as you are comfortable with, to your instructor and any solid workout buddies you have. These individuals will help you, and your success and happiness in the dojo greatly affects their own. Believe that!

Cheers

[fallen_milkman]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0804832846/qid=1121089997/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/002-9857531-2749632?v=glance&s=books That is a darn good book. I read it myself, it is fairly in-depth.

[ncole_91]

I do not practice Aikido, but hopfully in the future.

Anyways, good luck with your your classes, and I am sorry to hear about the terrible accident with your fiancee. I am sure you will do fine, and you might want to ask your new instructor about books/vids for more learning material. I am also sure a simple search of google will give you loads of information..

[Kolchakfan]

Thank you for the great suggestions. I have already placed an order for those books. Im really looking forward to reading them. And thank you again for the words of encouragement!!