Aiki is Love

Aiki is love.It is the path that brings our hearts into oneness with the spirit of the universe to complete our mission in life by instilling in us a love and reverence for all of nature."

Morihei Ueshiba, The Founder of Aikido

Life: The Ultimate Black Belt Test: Fall Seven times, Stand up Eight!

At a recent Aikido seminar four Aikidoists were called up to give a brief demonstration and were then presented their Godan (Fifth Dan) Certificates. An observer was heard to remark “that was an easy test.”

The Godan rank is actually the first rank to be awarded not by a “test” but upon recommendation by the student’s Sensei (teacher). The Sensei must write a letter of recommendation to the leader (the grandson of the founder of Aikido) of Aikido’s International Organization explaining why the student is deserving of the honor.

The student’s first Aikido class may have been 25 or 35 years ago and yet their time on the mat is not the only factor in receiving this honor. As one can imagine during this time of Aikido practice perhaps even the lifetime of other students on the mat, the Aikidoist has received injuries and disappointments both on and off the mat and yet they return to practice and share with others what they have experienced through the art of Aikido.

They are living examples of the Founder’s exhortation to:

 “practice in a joyful manner!”

It is this dedication to the art of peace and their ability to harmonize the demands of everyday life and Aikido training that earns them the right to receive the Godan certificate.

It is their ability to experience the sorrows of life and yet live life in a joyful manner, to as the old Japanese Proverb states “Fall Seven times, Stand up Eight” that allows them to successfully participate in the ultimate black belt test, which is life itself.

The Source of Aikido Techniques

He told us: "Aikido originally didn't have any form. 

The movements of the body in response to one’s state of mind became the techniques." 

(Rinjiro Shirata Sensei discussing Aikido instruction from O' Sensei)

Gozo Shioda 2

Here is a nice video collection of Gozo Shioda Sensei. Enjoy!

Thanks to Stan Pranin & Aikido Journal for hooking us up.

Aikido's Ultimate Technique

“So then, what do you think Aikido’s ultimate technique might be?

 It is the ability to be at peace with your opponent 

by inducing him to abandon his animosity toward you.”

 Gozo Shioda

Voice of Aikido

I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido.

 It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind. 

This is Aikido. This is the mission of Aikido and should be your mission.

Morihei Ueshiba

Aiki Quotes: Shoji Nishio

“Stand naturally so you can enter immediately 

when your opponent is about to move."

Shoji Nishio

And his mysterious power moves all things.....

God dwells in the heart of all beings, Arjuna.

 And his mysterious power moves all things. 

~ Bhagavad Gita (18:61)

An idea I think the founder would agree with, do you?

The Founder

This is a nice video of the Founder. Enjoy

Anita Kohler

Here is a very nice video of Anita Kohler

AIKIDO MANNHEIM / ANITA KÖHLER from VERSAL STUDIOS on Vimeo.
Anita Köhler is a 5th Dan Aikidoka who teaches Aikido in Mannheim, Mainz and Darmstadt / Germany. She started Aikido in the late 80's and since then her passion for it kept her traveling multiple times to France, Japan and China to learn from some of the greatest masters of this beautiful martial art.

Visit her site at
www.aikidomannheim.de

Purpose of Aikido continued

"The true purpose of Budo is God's love for all beings.

 My creative Budo exists to harmonize, care for, nurture and protect life." 

Morihei Ueshiba

What is Kaizen?

What is Kaizen?

1. A Japanese form of martial arts
2. A type of sushi
3. A method of getting things done by taking small steps and making continuous progress

Forty percent of the year is gone. Is there something important that needs to be done? There’s no time like the present. Ever. Take a small step. Don’t just think. Take Action!

Aiki Quotes

"Budo is a fine art.
 If you do not want to obtain the mind of a buddha 
you will never make a true martial artist."
Saburo Minaki 1906-1988

The ethics of Swordsmanship- Nakayama Hakudo

I recently saw a video of O'Sensei &  Nakayama Hakudo. in researching Nakayama Sensei I found this in his Wikipedia article

"By the mid-1920s, Nakayama was one of the most famous swordsmen in Japan, and as such, he was made a leader of the committee that drew up the sword curriculum for the Toyama Military Academy. Therefore, he is considered by many to be the father of Toyama swordsmanship. Nonetheless, Kimura Shoji wrote in 1926:^[3]

“

The ethics of swordsmanship, Mr. Nakayama wishes to clarify, is not in aggressive manslaughter. It lies primarily in psychic training. In the same manner in which the Yogis developed their physical inhibition to attain meditative states for higher psychical conditions, kendo trains the nervous system to respond, making awkward conscious efforts into reflex. The instrument, the sword, is necessary to give that serious frame of mind. What is more serious than life as forfeit for mistakes or inattention? The cold, mirror-like glimmer of the blade facing you, you cannot but be serious. The behavioristic school of psychology is well in accordance to this principle."

The Purpose of Judo

As an art and a philosophy the ultimate object of Judo is the attainment of

 harmonious unity of opposites in tune with life's realities; in short, 

unity of Man and God or Nature.

 G. Koizumi, 

Foreword Higher Judo, M. Feldenkrais

Ultimate Black Belt Test Training Journal, John Zenkewich January 11, 2012 - The Ultimate Black Belt Test

Ultimate Black Belt Test Training Journal, John Zenkewich January 11, 2012 - The Ultimate Black Belt Test:

'via Blog this'

One of the joys of practicing Aikido is the chance to meet other practitioners from all over the world. You can travel anywhere visit a dojo and immediatley have a new friend.

One of the highlights of training in 2011 was attending summer school (Zomerstage) in Belgium and staying with friends from the Netherlands and Belgium in a summer house sharing meals and stories.

Click here to Read more.......

Classical Aikido Embu at summer school (zomerstage) 2011

The demonstrations at the Embu were great. I will post more as I can.

The Meaning of Budo

“The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles.

The supreme excellence is to subdue your enemies without fighting them.”

Sun-Tzu

Video: Rinjiro Shirata — “A Catalog of Prewar Aiki Budo Techniques”

Video: Rinjiro Shirata — “A Catalog of Prewar Aiki Budo Techniques”

blog.aikidojournal.com

In this video, you will discover many Aiki Budo techniques you have never seen before. As with the Kanemoto Sunadomari book we released a few days ago, the techniques covered are closer to Morihei Ueshiba “Aiki Budo” film than to modern aikido.

http://blog.aikidojournal.com/2011/12/15/video-rinjiro-shirata-a-catalog-of-prewar-aiki-budo-techniques/

Thanks to Aikido Journal for posting this.

Question From a Zen Master

"Throughout the universe, one thing, and one thing only 

is manifesting; what are you if not that?"

(Yasutani Hakuun Roshi, Zen-master)