When facing the possibility of imminent death in battle, in an emergency situation, parachuting, base jumping, swimming with sharks, in a stupendous storm, fire, flood, cyclone, earthquake, volcanic activity, war, or...
Archive - July 2009
Josh GoldBrian Kagen pick: “Help Each Other!” by David Shevitz
“At nearly every camp or seminar I have attended, Sensei says these words to us just before calling us to practice a given technique. I’ve heard the words before, but never really stopped to consider if my...
“My Aikido” by Tom Wharton
“My teacher describes Aikido as “physically precise, mathematical movements, entered into through feeling.” For years I have vehemently denied being a “feeler,” preferring to access my...
New DVD added to authoritative “Lost Seminars” series by Morihiro Saito Sensei
We are pleased to announce the launch of yet another outstanding DVD by Morihiro Saito Shihan, 9th dan, the seventh instalment of the exceptional “Lost Seminars” technical series by one of Founder Morihei...
“Bullying, Consequences and Recourse” by Nev Sagiba
Every year a considerable number of young people commit suicide following nasty remarks directed towards them over the internet. Threatening and crank phone calls can be as disturbing as emails and nasty remarks in...
“All Japan Children’s Aikido Training” by Eric R. C. Holcomb
“Each year the Budokan hosts a series of enormous, day-long, martial arts training events for children. The martial arts are Sumo, Karatedo, Shorinji Kenpo (Japanese Kung Fu), Jukendo (way of the bayonet), Kendo...
Aikido Training in Las Vegas: “A Fundamental Change” by Brandon Clapp
I have been thinking about something lately and it has had quite an impact on my training and personal outlook. I was able to run at a steady pace for 3.58 miles without any breaks. Now you may say big deal, lots of...
“Open-ended and Hopeful” by Mary Stein
Recently I spent time with a friend who had become fascinated by Dante’s Inferno. He described some of the memorable characters that Dante writes of meeting on his visit to Hell—characters who were stuck for eternity in...
Brian Kagen pick: “McDojo” from wikipedia.com
“McDojo is a pejorative term used by some Western martial artists to describe a martial arts school where image or profit is of a higher importance than technical standards, and in the related use of martial arts...
“Hawaii and its warriors” by Bruce Baker
Maybe I am seeing too much in this History Channel special, Warriors : Islands of Blood, which is about the Hawaiian fighting arts, but it certainly looks like a lot of the same movements we do for our Aikido practice...