I believe Aikido
first got into my ears and my skin before I could practise it. When I was
five years old I started walking my first steps on a tatami where I used to
play a little of Aikido and a little of Judo with kids of my age at Seidokan
Institute. From my childhood to my youth my training was inconsistent. Many
times I was attracted to other sports, others I was impeded by my studies.
But what it really caught my attention was the solid constancy that my father,
Cela Sensei reflected.
By the year 1973 I seriously returned to my Aikido studies and was surprised
at the base I had at an unconsciously level, thanks to that permanent contact
with it from an early age. Ever since that moment my training was constant.
Until 1980 I trained without caring the grades.
Later as the International
Aikido Federation grew bigger and following Kenzo Miyazawa Sensei advice in
the year 1981 I graduated as first Dan, there a new stage of greater responsability
and dedication began.
By the end of 1981 I had the great honour and the great responsability of
being nominated sensei Manuel Cela`s succesor. It was a very strong moment
in my life, emotionally talking, and among the spectators there I compromised
myself to do my best when the moment come to follow with Sensei Manuel Cela`s
work. In 1988 I got my second Dan. In 1991 my third Dan and in 1997 I had
the honour of receiving my fourth Dan from the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido
World Headquarters, Tokyo. The possibility to travel abroad was the fundamental
factor to share my training, and to go on learning each day from masters and
practitioners that without doubt always leave inside us their marvelous teachings.
I have the fortune to travel to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Europe and Japan.
I hope I can continue doing so, because in all these places I have received
the very best., thank you. Actually I am the Chairman of Uruguay Aikikai and
Director of Nakano Dojo. I devote a great part of my life to the learning
and the teaching of this splendid art. I would like to thank my parents for
showing me the way,that deep inside me it has became my philosophy of life.
I hope in peace and confidence I will be able to transmit it to my son Claudio.
I can not speak about my future, because we make history when we walk along
the ways. I only ask God I am able to keep on learning so that I can keep
on transmitting the wonderful work of O`Sensei.
Carlos Cela Vila Sensei
