Pathway to health

STAFFORD — On Saturday, John Mills, 68, became the oldest student to be awarded a first-degree black belt at the AIKIDO in Fredericksburg dojo.

Mills first began Aikido training in 2006 while involved in a class that Stafford County Parks and Recreation offered. In August 2008 he joined the dojo.

Mills is from Stafford, has more than 30 years of military experience and retired as a Marine colonel. He sees aikido as a “path of exercise” and a “pathway to health.”

On Saturday, Mills tested for his Shodan, first-degree black belt. Before the testing, during his interview, Mills said his stomach was full of butterflies. Laughing, he explained, “It helps me out with my condition, and keeps me out of the hospital.”

Aikido is a nonviolent, traditional Japanese martial art. It can help develop coordination and reflexes. Mills describes it as “fairly safe and low impact.” Mills practices three to four times a week with classes ranging from an hour to an hour-and-a-half.

He said the most difficult part has to do with “the techniques while kneeling. It is very hard on the knees. The way we sit in America is much different than the way they sit in Japan… but I have been able to overcome,” he said.

Aviv Goldsmith is the chief instructor at AIKIDO in Fredericksburg. Goldsmith said, “During the Shodan exam, candidates demonstrate numerous techniques from seated attacks, standing grabs, standing strikes, knife attacks and wooden sword and staff.  The test culminates with freestyle defense first from one and then from three simultaneous attackers that use any attack they choose.”

            Mills demonstrated each of the techniques in order to proceed to a first-degree black belt. The testing was constant and lasted about a half-hour.

Goldsmith described Mills as someone who “brought his maturity and Marine dedication to Aikido practice. Despite some intermittent health setbacks he kept returning to Aikido training and continued to steadily improve. He readily accepted the ‘beginners mind’ that was necessary to learn something new. He rose to the challenge with grace and a sense of humor.”

After Mills finished testing, Goldsmith said: “Although John's goal was simply to ‘survive’ the test, in fact, he excelled.  His defenses from rear attacks were exemplary. The strategies he used during the one-person freestyle were sophisticated and effective.  His weapons forms were very precise. Sensei Baumgartner and I were proud to be able to promote him to first-degree black belt.”

According to Mills, the most rewarding part of Aikido is “the people that you meet. It’s almost like a second family. Everyone really enjoys each other and supports each other. And you walk out of here with a smile on your face feeling good.”

Mills encourages others to join. He said, “Once we get people here, most of them seem to take an interest in it.”

Mills plans to test for his second degree black belt at age 70.

Aikido techniques can be performed among all age groups. AIKIDO in Fredericksburg offers classes to children, youths, adults and seniors.

For more information, call (540) 582-9600 or visit aikidoinfredericksburg.org.

Deana Hamlin is a Commonwealth Governor’s School student from Brooke Point High School. She is a freelance writer for the Stafford County Sun.