VERY PROUD OF RYDER

Ryder takes Aikido, now in his 2nd year (it is a Japanese form of martial arts that is about being fully present, connected with all energy and able to redirect an attackers energy, it also flows in harmony with laws of nature. Steven Seagal is an Aikido Master - so if you have seen a movie of Seagal's or you have seen anything about a samari you can get an idea of Aikido) I also started taking Aikido and have taken a test - and I can tell you it's nerve wracking.  Most test takers go into panic mode including me. So this email from Ryder's instructor was tremendous and meant A LOT! Kelly suggested we share this and as I am not a big horn tooter usually, with this one - it's pure Ryder and he earned it. We are very proud of him and love how his beautiful spirit shines as he is developing in to a wonderful, kind and competent human being. The email is posted below.

One other thing I want to note, in our Aikido school - it is not like a typical kid martial art school where you do fun and games and learn a few kicks and punches and such. Everything he is learning is exactly what an adult is learning. When he tests and advances it is for real. When he is 14 he can go in to the adult class and he will bow in at whatever level he has attained. Anyway, that's kind of a big deal in the martial arts world.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: george ellis <george_ellis3@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 24, 2013 at 10:57 PM
Subject: ping
To: "stephana.johnson@gmail.com" <stephana.johnson@gmail.com>

if this is Ryder's mom....I want you to know how impressive R's composure was at Test Time.....truly impressive

 

there are times when I think that the thirty year old Ryder kicks in......just what I ask....the little boy is for a short time a martial artist and a senior student in every

sense of the word.....but we can let him be a kid,  most of the time.

 

really impressive

 

osu!

 

G