December 6, 2009 – 10:13 pm
I was helping Daisy with de-installing an art show today and it reminded me of the time I became convinced of the importance, and usefulness of dedicated training in Aikido, and specifically the art of Ukemi (receiving.) In Aikido we learn Ukemi to take the techniques well and to practice our falling skills. This allows [...]
November 16, 2009 – 3:15 pm
I was listening to an episode of the BuddhsitGeeks podcat the other day, This Is Your Brain On Meditation (part 1 of a 2 part series), and it got me to thinking about Aikido. In the podcast, James Austin discusses the two primary types of attention that the brain engages in. top-down, and
bottom-up. In [...]
September 22, 2009 – 1:57 pm
Cross post from my Embrace Tiger, Return to Kitchen website.
Aikido – Engaging The Beginner’s Mind.
On the mat I had a small epiphany concerning why I love Aikido. In a nutshell – I don’t get it. After 13 years of training I can honestly say I don’t get it. I understand some of the principles, a [...]
February 21, 2009 – 4:22 pm
I finally go the footage from my Yondan (4th degree black belt) test up on YouTube. You can check it out here.
Also, Mary Stein, an amazing student at our dojo and an absolute inspiration recently turned 80, and blogged about that in conjunction with aikido on Aikido Journal Online. You can read it, [...]
January 28, 2009 – 3:39 pm
I have been training in Aikido for just over twelve years, and have been teaching regularly for about six. Having the kind of mind that I do, I constantly question why I am doing what I am doing in practice, and come up with as simplistic distinctions as I can for anything that I [...]