2025: The Year of the Wood Snake
Dear Iaidokas, let us take inspiration from the Chinese calendar, which offers some perspectives for the upcoming year of practice. 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake (木蛇). The Snake symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and elegance. Wood as in recurring 2-year cycle of one five elements represents growth, creativity, and flexibility.
The Snake and Iaido: Constant Renewal
The Snake represents transformation and growth. Just as it sheds its skin to grow, Iaido challenges us to shed old habits and continually evolve. Every practice session is an opportunity for transformation – both technical and spiritual. A snake does not need to take the direct path; instead, it patiently explores its options before making a decision.
Wood and Iaido: progress through steady practice
In Iaido wood embodies continuous growth. A swordsman improves not through rushed progress but through consistent, patient practice. Just as a tree grows slowly but steadily, an Iaidoka refines their skills through repetition and inner development.
Discovering your path
The Wood Snake inspires us to break free from entrenched paths and approach new methods with a clear mind. In Iaido, this means not only practicing techniques but also understanding their deeper significance and taking responsibility for our own development.
Ready to begin?
The year of the wood snake encourages persistent training, adaptability, and continuous self-improvement. Use the energy of wood in your Iaido: strengthen your foundation, remain flexible, and develop your own understanding of the art.
The Dojo Leadership