“What is problematic for Prof. Stevens is that he has no way of verifying the authenticity of the Japanese text that he is using as a source.” Yesterday, we posted a blog titled “Hey Stan! Did O-Sensei...
Archive - May 2016
Josh GoldHaruo Matsuoka and Stanley Pranin Discussion Series: Part 2
This is part 2 of a discussion series with Haruo Matsuoka Sensei and Stan Pranin Sensei. In this segment, Matsuoka Sensei talks about seeking new mentors and the insight and inspiration he’s gained from these...
“Applying modern training methodologies to Aikido practice” by Peter Kelly
“Their movements lacked the integrity and focus that are precursors to understanding the physical space control necessary to dissipate or dissolve physical conflict.” Peter Kelly submitted this message as a...
Haruo Matsuoka and Stanley Pranin Discussion Series: Part 1
This is part one of an interview series with Matsuoka Sensei, conducted by Stan Pranin Sensei of Aikido Journal. In this segment, Matsuoka Sensei talks about his introduction to the art of aikido and his early days of...
A Legacy for the Ages: The Making of Morihiro Saito’s Video Masterpiece in the Words of Paolo Corallini
The text below has been edited from a conversation I had with Paolo Corallini on April 11, 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Paolo was one of Morihiro Saito’s closest European students and contributed in many ways to...
“Are there Kata in Aikido?” by Nick Lowry
“Just forget your self a little and turn loose and let the undifferentiated aiki flow through you, and see what happens.” Are there any such things as kata in aikido? Of course there are – it’s a silly...
Review of “Aikido: An Everyday Approach To The Martial Art That Can Transform Your Life & The World” by Paul Rest
Introduction Paul Rest’s book offers practices that are straightforward and practical ways to applying Aikido off the mat. The practices are illustrated with entertaining examples from his own life and practice. Paul...
What if you have to intervene? What are your options? by Stanley Pranin
“Is your only option to ‘attack the attacker’?” Sometime ago I wrote a blog on the consequences of waiting to respond to an attack that elicited a great number of comments by Aikido Journal...
The Seminar: A New Blueprint by Josh Gold
The Standard Seminar Formula The standard weekend seminar format is well known and has become refined over decades of modern martial arts training. A typical seminar will host a master or senior instructor for a weekend...
Who were the Shapers of Postwar Aikido? by Stanley Pranin
“What was done instead was to de-emphasize the martial pedigree of aikido’s techniques, and eschew practice conditions that led to the cultivation of a strong martial spirit.” Revival of aikido after World...