These past five years have been increasingly challenging for all of us. I have witnessed a number of crises in my life in several countries and what caught my attention is the effect of those crises on people and the...
Archive - December 2009
Josh Gold“The end of a decade … further down the road,” by Bruce Baker
Ah, it is the end of the decade .. 2010 in another day or so, and I realize … we have traveled another decade further from O’Sensei, and we have lost even more of those people who had first-hand experiences...
“Kihon/Seitei/Henka/Koryu,” by Nick Lowry
How do we impart knowledge in a physical sense? How do you imbue a student with not only the information that is contained in a physical culture of budo, but also with the fully embodied realization of said...
“The Rules and Limitations of Aikido,” by Nev Sagiba
From the things you hear, one who did not know otherwise would be forgiven for imagining that there is aikido; and then there are other ways to do things; and each is restricted to its own box and way of doing things...
Are you a professional graphic artist and willing to help AJ with a book cover design?
A bit of exciting news! We are well along in the preparation of a new and historically important book on aikido titled Aikido Pioneers. Let me tell you a bit about this project. Built on the foundation of the now out-of...
“You Have To Understand With Your Whole Body,” by Nev Sagiba
“To produce true mastery and not dead clones that mimic and paraphrase rote blindly like parrots, it is necessary to create an environment conducive to learning…” To “get” Aikido you have...
“Science proves … eternity is an illusion,” by Bruce Baker
Time and Space are one in the Eternal Mind …. just what the hell does that mean anyway? Have you ever sat in on some swami or some wise man, or woman, and listened to their words of wisdom, and sometimes folly, as...
“5th Kyu Shihans,” by Jerry Akel
“Although it may appear a contradiction, a compliment, if accompanied by judgment, is in fact identical to criticism!” I am plagued by 5th Kyu Shihans. Or rather, was plagued, before receiving my black belt. And...
“Aikido and Life,” by Mike Smith
Pranin Sensei has been gracious enough to invite me into his home in Las Vegas and allow me to practice the Iwama style of aikido with him and his other students. I’ve been practicing aikido with him for over a...
“Junbi Taiso,” by Nev Sagiba
Junbi Taiso, Junbi Undo or simply, Undo or Taiso or Junbi Undo Taiso are defined as “warming up exercises,” or “preparation exercises” or “warm-ups.” Nowadays everyone is hung up on “throwing”...