My last article on this topic looked at the concept of energy and the commonalities in its expression on a bike and in the dojo. This time I’m going to address the concept of vision. The topic of where to focus on your opponent is a frequently addressed one in the martial arts. Some schools…Read More
Facilitating the Learning of Aikido Principles Through Scenario Based Training If you are an Aikido practitioner and you are reading this, you may or may not have experienced scenario based training in your dojo. I have visited quite a number of dojos over the last 14 years and I have rarely seen it myself. …Read More
Many times you will see very stylized/unrealistic attacks in Aikido practice. This can take many forms. The grabs may be specified in a very specific way as to how each part of uke’s hand operates, where the pressure is directed, and/or where uke stands in relation to nage, and which foot is forward. These are…Read More
Part 1 – Energy My Aikido sensei always pushed us to find applications of Aikido outside the dojo, and I have done that for years. One of my other activities outside of work besides Aikido is mountain biking. I can leave my house on my bike and be on a desert trail in about 90…Read More
“Center” is a word that is heard a lot in the practice of Aikido. Just like many things from Japanese culture/language, it can mean something different depending on the context. Many times in class, center is used to refer to your own center (hara, below and behind your bellybutton). Also, it can be used in…Read More
