This is a well-thought out comment in response to an article we published a few months ago titled “Martial arts practice and the deceived mind” by Stanley Pranin. It is a succinct description of the various...
Archive - 2016
Aikido’s kotegaeshi wrist-turn technique under the microscope.
A few years ago, Stanley Pranin uploaded a video detailing a common problem seen in the execution of kotegaeshi techniques. This video engendered many comments on Facebook and the Aikido Journal blog site. Here are...
Some thoughts on the Aiki Jo by Autrelle Holland
For the past few months, I have been drilling my Aiki Jo. Surely, mine is a tired jo! I have reached some personal conclusions, nothing profound or mind blowing, but I thought I would type this out so that my brain has...
Haruo Matsuoka and Stanley Pranin Discussion Series: Part 4
In the final installment of this interview, Haruo Matsuoka Sensei talks about the teacher/student relationship and Stanley Pranin Sensei describes his mission to help aikido practitioners build a stronger direct...
Haruo Matsuoka and Stanley Pranin Discussion Series: Part 3: The Essence of Aiki
At the end of the previous section of this discussion, Matsuoka Sensei was reflecting on his impressions of Guro (Sensei) Dan Inosanto. Matsuoka Sensei was strongly impacted by his humble energetic sprit, and his...
The Origins of Modern Aikido: The Shomenuchi Dilemma by Stanley Pranin
“If you want to know how aikido techniques changed after the war, here is a good place to start!” Over the years I have published a number of articles that deal with the Shomenuchi Ikkyo technique of the...
Haruo Matsuoka and Stanley Pranin Discussion Series: Part 2
This is part 2 of a discussion series with Haruo Matsuoka Sensei and Stan Pranin Sensei. In this segment, Matsuoka Sensei talks about seeking new mentors and the insight and inspiration he’s gained from these...
“Applying modern training methodologies to Aikido practice” by Peter Kelly
“Their movements lacked the integrity and focus that are precursors to understanding the physical space control necessary to dissipate or dissolve physical conflict.” Peter Kelly submitted this message as a...
Haruo Matsuoka and Stanley Pranin Discussion Series: Part 1
This is part one of an interview series with Matsuoka Sensei, conducted by Stan Pranin Sensei of Aikido Journal. In this segment, Matsuoka Sensei talks about his introduction to the art of aikido and his early days of...
The Seminar: A New Blueprint by Josh Gold
The Standard Seminar Formula The standard weekend seminar format is well known and has become refined over decades of modern martial arts training. A typical seminar will host a master or senior instructor for a weekend...