AIKIDO MECHANICS – CENTRE | Episode 2
Aikido Mechanics: The Centre of Rotation In ura, it is easy to become preoccupied with moving uke, pulling with the arms, turning the shoulders, or trying to manufacture the rotation. But the rotation should begin somewhere else. Establish the centre. Maintain the pivot. Organise the body around it. When the geometry is correct, the arms...
AIKIDO MECHANICS – INTERNAL EXPANSION | Episode 1
Introducing Aikido Mechanics. This series is an exploration of the principles that make movement efficient, stable and effortless. Rather than focusing on techniques alone, we’ll examine the underlying mechanics that organise the body, maintain structure under pressure and allow force to be transmitted naturally. Whether you practise Aikido, another martial art, or you’re simply interested...
The Sword is an uncompromising teacher
The Sword is an uncompromising teacher. Unlike a person, it doesn’t flatter you or adapt to your habits. Every cut reflects your posture, timing, balance and intention. Small errors become obvious. Efficient movement becomes unmistakable. This is why traditional sword practice remains part of our training. The goal isn’t to learn to fight with a...
What is a Spiritual Warrior?
Aikido is the path of the spiritual warrior, not the physical warrior. A physical warrior concentrates effort on beating an opponent or enemy. Physical movements are learned and mastered to defeat the others body. A spiritual warrior instead focusses on destroying the enemy where it actually exists – in ones mind. The root of all...
Which martial art is best for me?
The family of Martial arts is incredibly rich and diverse. I have had the good fortune of dedicating much of my life to practicing various martial arts and have benefited enormously from it. In this mini documentary we take a look at the differences and similarities of the various Martial arts to better understand the...
The mind’s mirror
The thought “I” appears with the zest of a morning hare Heaven and earth divide in an instant Hesitation and haste grow without effort Yet nothing in the mind’s mirror can linger long All thoughts recede into the silence from which they sprung Above the mind, only the Buddha evades this fate Laughing as the...
An Aikido Crisis
“Sensei, I was recently thinking…with the corona disaster and all, it seems that Aikido, like so many things, is at breaking point.” How so? “Dojo’s are shut, people can’t practice together…..” I see…. Is Aikido in a crises or its practitioners? “Good point…isn’t it the same thing?” By its very nature, Aikido can never be...