Research continues to show that what the body does “makes” us feel something. Our bodies play a major role in producing emotion but sometimes our bodies are playing the part of a different story then we are in at the moment. Studies show that if we change what our body is doing our feelings change with it. Continue reading Standing, Breathing, Moving, its about how it makes you feel…
Wu Wei and chasing O’sensei
The Chinese emperor Shun was said to embody the concept of “wu wei” or effortless action, the affairs of state went smoothly without his decree or intervention, “What did he do? All he did was make himself reverent and face south in correct posture.” That sounds a lot like aikido… Continue reading Wu Wei and chasing O’sensei
It’s not about the throw… Nage vs Tori
Some teachers use the terms Uke and Nage and some prefer Uke and Tori. Both have different meanings but the different terms remind us of our tendency to focus on throwing our partner. In contrast many of O’sensei’s direct students repeat that “it is not about the throw.” Aikido removes the possibility for an attack while giving an opportunity to “take ukemi” Continue reading It’s not about the throw… Nage vs Tori
Aikido for Veterans in Virginia
Tom Osborn asked himself the question, “what is my aikido;” he discovered that his answer was that aikido was what allowed him to leave the “areana of warfighting.” After the Vietnam War Tom was struggling with PTSD and in looking back he believes that the practice of aikido provided a unique and powerful resource for recovery. Continue reading Aikido for Veterans in Virginia
Kaz Tanahashi and the Enso of Aikido
Kaz Tanahashi, who practiced aikido with O’sensei and helped translate one of O’sensei’s biographies as well as being a respected authority on Zen and Shodo is the artist of the works in this post. All things start with a single point but to create form and substance connections must be made. Continue reading Kaz Tanahashi and the Enso of Aikido
Moving into the Void
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0un7jEulTSI]
Art, music, conversation, and certainly aikido is energized by altering the balance of polar opposites to create a point of connection and balance. O’sensei said, “If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.” Continue reading Moving into the Void
Birth and Aikido; What is Ki no Nagare
Nagare waza is a term that is used to say this technique is done in motion but the meaning of the character refers to the “ki” of birth. Continue reading Birth and Aikido; What is Ki no Nagare
The Weight We Carry and How It Affects Our Perception
It is amazing what is studied… research shows that the weight on your shoulders affects perception, judgement, and motivation. The studies put heavy backpacks on participants and demonstrated effects that may make you question how each of us experiences the world. Continue reading The Weight We Carry and How It Affects Our Perception
Bushi no Nasake; the Mindful Warrior…
True Samurai ranged from the most brutish to the most noble of individuals but the warrior without falsehood (hence the makoto calligraphy) always has a choice to express benevolence even in the most dire of circumstances. That choice is central to the practice of Aikido. Continue reading Bushi no Nasake; the Mindful Warrior…
The shape of Aikido….Gordon Sakamoto Sensei
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haGSLZCrQFI]
Sakamoto Sensei said at a recent seminar that aikido techniques are produced by keeping an non-oppositional shape in response to whatever attack is coming your way. Continue reading The shape of Aikido….Gordon Sakamoto Sensei