“Feel free to ‘steal’ all you can, from wherever and whomever you can. After all, taking a few things, probably is theft. Taking a lot of things, is really research.” I have found learning, as...
Archive - July 2010
Josh Gold“Pure Movement, Aikido, and Big Brush Calligraphy,” by Gary Ohama
“The bushi used calligraphy as he did the other arts: as a method for simultaneously centering and balancing his mind and body. Any faltering, any self-consciousness will show up in his work.” “On the highest levels the...
“Regarding Kendo as Auxiliary Training for Aikido,” by Nev Sagiba
Kendo sparring training provides an invaluable insight into metsuke, maai and deai, ki no musubi; and totally improves aikido because it reveals insights into many attributes of combat that require speed and attrition...
“Reconnecting with the masters of old,” by Stanley Pranin
New practitioners of aikido today have vastly more options than those of us who began decades ago. Aikido has grown enormously as an art and many fine teachers have emerged over the years. The march forward of...
“How Do You Get Radar?,” by Nev Sagiba
“Get good, then reduce strength to half and still make the technique work. Halve it again and keep reducing power until you can effect good result with a feather touch.” How do you develop the radar-like...
“Ego and Conflict,” by Juan M. Ponce Jr.
“People with a healthy mind have a clear understanding of what is right and wrong.” Conflict is an inevitable and unavoidable aspect of human behavior. Pride can be blamed for the vast majority of these conflicts...
“Aikido on stage in tails,” by Djong Victorin Yu
Last Friday, June 25, 2010, I gave a small demonstration on stage not only as a martial artist but as an artist. I am a conductor, and the theme of the concert program was “War and Peace” to commemorate the...
“Fine Arts and Aikido,” by Drew Gardner
There exist four fine arts I have discovered during my Aikido physical training downtime, which have kept me from feeling out of the loop over the past couple years. They are Japanese sword customization, Rakuyaki...
“Metsuke,” by Nev Sagiba
Don’t look at the opponent’s eyes, or your mind will be drawn into his eyes. Don’t look at his sword, or you will be slain with his sword. Don’t look at him, or your spirit will be distracted...
“When Saito Sensei last met Tohei Sensei,” by Stanley Pranin
During my many years in Japan, one of the highlights I especially remember took place on October 29, 2001 when Morihiro Saito Sensei visited the home of Koichi Tohei Sensei after a hiatus of nearly 30 years. This...