This is a well-thought out comment in response to an article we published a few months ago titled “Martial arts practice and the deceived mind” by Stanley Pranin. It is a succinct description of the various...
Archive - June 2016
Josh GoldAikido’s kotegaeshi wrist-turn technique under the microscope.
A few years ago, Stanley Pranin uploaded a video detailing a common problem seen in the execution of kotegaeshi techniques. This video engendered many comments on Facebook and the Aikido Journal blog site. Here are...
Some thoughts on the Aiki Jo by Autrelle Holland
For the past few months, I have been drilling my Aiki Jo. Surely, mine is a tired jo! I have reached some personal conclusions, nothing profound or mind blowing, but I thought I would type this out so that my brain has...
Glue Feet by Nev Sagiba
“The hara determines the feet, the feet determine your placement. As a result Aikido conducts evasion and engagement simultaneously, not separately.” “What makes Aikido different from other mashal-arts...
Ellis Amdur pick: “Bartitsu: the Gentlemanly Art of Self Defence”
A mini-documentary on Bartitsu, a martial art and self defence system founded by E. W. Barton-Wright in the year 1899. Bartitsu combined jiujitsu, savate, boxing and stick fighting; it was perhaps the first fighting art...
When is Aikido Not Aikido? by David Lynch
“I have never had to use the physical techniques outside the dojo in 40 years of training, so I am not going to lose any sleep over that!” Arguments about the “martial effectiveness” of aikido are a popular...
Haruo Matsuoka and Stanley Pranin Discussion Series: Part 4
In the final installment of this interview, Haruo Matsuoka Sensei talks about the teacher/student relationship and Stanley Pranin Sensei describes his mission to help aikido practitioners build a stronger direct...
Neanderthal purists! Randori, an Aiki perspective by Francis Takahashi
“I have a serious bone to pick with certain Neanderthal type “purists” who insist that certain risk elements be incorporated into their training to ensure authenticity and martial integrity.” The photo accompanying this...
The Origins of Modern Aikido: The Shomenuchi Dilemma by Stanley Pranin
“If you want to know how aikido techniques changed after the war, here is a good place to start!” Over the years I have published a number of articles that deal with the Shomenuchi Ikkyo technique of the...