I’m not the first to use this analogy and probably won’t be the last. I dislike repeatedly quoting O’Sensei, but I think he said it too: The getting of useful wisdom is more akin to polishing the glass covering a...
Archive - July 2011
Josh Gold“Dashing Duels Fuel A Young Man’s Fancy,” by Stanley Pranin
I have described elsewhere the circumstances surrounding my beginning aikido in 1962. There was, at the same time, another influence that served to spark my imagination, and spur me on to attend aikido class regularly...
Recommended reading: “Is O-Sensei Really the Father of Modern Aikido?” by Stanley Pranin
The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the...
Human Logic Is Not Always Logical
Human logic is not always logical. Especially when it comes to matters of violence of any kind. This is because violence itself is entirely devoid of logic, being the intention to destroy instead of communicate. Much of...
Return of the Bad Back!
I guess I have to be grateful to my “chronic back pain!” What the heck does that mean? Well, the little article I wrote yesterday about my bad back apparently touched a lot of other bad backs! In fact, many...
“How I solved my chronic back problem,” by Stanley Pranin
“I too would enter the dreaded realm of “seniordom” and join the “old foggies” club.” Back in 1997, I published an editorial that proved one of the most controversial pieces I have ever written. Perhaps...
“Rebirth of the Aikido Journal Newsletter!” by Stanley Pranin
Some weeks ago, we suddenly became unable to send out our daily newsletter due to the unforseen demise of one of our Internet service providers. Many of you wrote in asking what happened because you looked forward to...
Reply to George Ledyard’s Open Letter: “Some Reflections,” by Alister Gillies
This reply was actually submitted as a comment to George Ledyard’s earlier blog, Open Letter to My Students. I found it so well written and thought out that I considered it deserving of being posted as a separate...
“Aikido and shoulders,” by Bartłomiej Gajowiec
Shoulders are everywhere in aikido; bare-handed or armed, we use our shoulders. The shoulders are highly mobile joints, yet open to so many limiting factors. Their stability and function are governed by anatomical...
“Training – The Power of Modulated Challenge to Transform and Add Life,” by Nev Sagiba
The real emergency makes demands of its own accord and takes not into account the participants. Most, the unprepared become its victims. Some survive, injured, but carry post traumatic after effects. Few are able to...