“The Second Doshu once told me that the character ‘maru’ in his first name was symbolic of his view of the ‘circular’ essence of aikido technique.” From Aiki News #96 (Summer/Fall...
Archive - March 2013
Josh GoldBudo and Symbolism by Paolo Corallini
“To sit properly in seiza, first bring the left knee down to the mat to symbolize your intention to sacrifice the qualities related to the material world and resign yourself from all negative influences.” In...
Aikido Ukemi: its Pathology & Treatment,” by Chetan Prakash
“Uke attacks in all sincerity and with deadly intent, but upon having the attack rendered ineffective, enters survival and/or reversal mode.” Acknowledgment: Chapter 4 of my teacher Saotome Sensei’s...
“Review of Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts,” by David A. Hall
Review of Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts by David A. Hall Kodansha Publishing ISBN: 978-1-56836-410-0 682 Pages $60.00 Released February 2013 Reviewed by Robert Noha This book is a treasure trove of information...
“Sunao — Being honest in training,” by Stanley Pranin
“Finally, Sensei shouted, ‘Stop that stupid training!'” When I trained in Iwama under Morihiro Saito Sensei many years ago, every so often he would say something like, “Sunao ni keiko shite...
“Aikido’s OS,” by Nev Sagiba
“Generating harmony, not because it is easy but because it is not easy, despite all opposition. This is true Aikido…..” For millions of years, preceded by billions, certain predispositions of physics and...
On tensing: “Are you allowing uke to intercept your technique?” by Stanley Pranin
“It is as if uke has sensors that can eavesdrop on nage’s planned movement and predict its timing, intensity, and direction.” The italicized text below represents comments I received from one of the...
“What is Ki,” by Francis Takahashi
In Japanese, the word “Ki” has many meanings, dependent on the intent or purpose of the user. By itself, it has little or no utility or significance. It is when it is used with other words that the true intent of its...