Throwback Thursday - It's All in Your Mind

Furuya Sensei memorial service Saturday March 6th at 11:00 AM
(see information below)

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on January 7, 2005.

I was watching a documentary about the life of a well-known artist. He became very sick with many health problems and eventually had several strokes which destroyed his ability to paint with his right hand. Eventually, he was able to continue his painting by switching to his left hand. The hand he was told was simply an extension of his mind which allowed him to continue his work. Actually, this is a pretty amazing feat although I say it rather matter-of-factly.

I believe this is very true in Aikido practice as well. We often criticize our own physical ability because of talent or age or stiffness or some ailment but generally, these can all be overcome through the power of our own mind - if we have the right determination and motivation.

Most obstacles life presents are difficult to overcome by ourselves. Yet, such problems are not limited to our own selves. Each suffers in their own way and each person can overcome them in their own way. Aikido practice however allows us to explore our own minds very deeply and it is through this that great power can be released.

Memorial Information 
Saturday, March 6th 11:00 AM

On Saturday, March 6th 11:00 AM, the Aikido Center of Los Angeles will be holding the 14th annual memorial service for Rev. Kensho Furuya. 

The in person memorial will be held at the dojo. Rev. Kojima from Zenshuji will be inside the dojo and all other participants will be outside socially distanced. 

11:00 AM: Memorial service at the dojo 
12:30 PM: Grave site visit

Zoom ID: 864 062 7172

Pass: acladojo

Note: For those joining us on Zoom, you will be asked to register to enter so please take this into account.

We hope that you can join us!

11 Unorthodox Aikido Joint Locks

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - 11 Unorthodox Aikido Joint Locks 

David Ito Sensei demonstrates some of the more unorthodox joint locks that aren’t so main stream. Generally joint locks or katame-waza (固め技) fall into two categories: osae-waza (押技) or pinning techniques or kansetsu-waza (関節技) or joint manipulations. Every Aikidoist should know a plethora of joint locks besides the kihon-waza or basic techniques. 

Sometimes there's no time to read a lengthy message or watch a long documentary. So we've created these quick and easy 2 minute techniques to help you improve your Aikido technique and knowledge. Keep an eye out for them every Wednesday. 

Enjoy!

Watch other Aiki Dojo videos here: 2 Minute Techniques

Be Strong

風は吹けども山は動かず
Kaze wa fuke domo yama wa ugokazu
The wind blows, but the mountain does not move 

Yesterday, I was interviewed by a Youtube channel called BudoTV Online. The last question the interviewer asked me was, “What is one thing you would like to say to the budo community?” I answered, “Be strong.” “Be strong” doesn’t only refer to physical strength. Physical strength, albeit necessary, pales in comparison to mental, emotional and spiritual strength. I have seen countless numbers of “strong” people quit because of a few terse words. A martial artist has to be strong enough to weather any storm. For each person the storm is different. For some it is a mean word while for others it is a pandemic. Regardless of the situation or circumstance, martial artists need to gaman (我慢) or “persevere” and overcome their obstacles and not give into the desire to quit. In training and in life, we are confronted by all sorts of trials and tribulations and each one can be seemingly insurmountable. However, with training and perseverance we learn to be steadfast and gain the confidence to ride out any storm. We do this by learning to to develop equanimity which is one of the highest teachings in budo. Equanimity is the ability to be mindfully aware of the situation and observe them before acting. With an equanimous mind, we can then act appropriately instead of mindlessly react. Thus, in training, we learn how to become mountains and as the saying goes, “The wind blows, but the mountain does not move.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “If the actions of others are determining your emotions and responses, then you have given your power away. You should be the one to determine how you're going to respond in each situation. No one has control over your emotions or your reactions but you.” Have the power of a mountain and be strong enough not to let anything blow you away.  

Today’s goal: When things get tough, take a breath and try to observe rather than react. 

Fatigue Can be Fatal

厭戦
Ensen 
War weariness 

Fatigue can be fatal. General George Patton once wrote, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” What he might have meant was that fatigue has a way of bringing out our true character. Fatigue is the main symptom of war weariness or in Japanese ensen (厭戦). We become battle weary as exhaustion and dejection set in from a prolonged conflict. When we get fatigued, we are more apt to make mistakes, lose our tempers or do something which is out of character. In the sports world, it is commonly thought that physical skill begins to degrade when an athlete’s heart rate stays at 145 bpm or higher for too long. In the dojo, fatigue can bring out our true character or personality especially when the class is very physical or during long seminars. In the dojo, when people get tired, they either become a teacher and teach instead of train, a talker who talks instead of trains, someone who runs away, or a bully who becomes too rough and takes it out on others. Regardless, fatigue reveals our true inner nature and reveals where we need to put in the work. As we approach the one year mark of the pandemic many of us are starting to get war weary. Deaths, people getting sick, riots, protests, confusing information, isolation, and loneliness are pushing us to the edge of fatigue. Nietzsche said, “Battle not with monsters lest ye become one.” What he possibly meant was that fatigue can become fatal because it can accidentally change us and we can become a monster because we allow ourselves to succumb to fatigue and end up doing something that we regret or is out of character for us. Martial artists are people who aspire to live their lives at a higher level. Furuya Sensei once wrote, “Martial artists survive day by day, welcoming adversity and using their skill and personal power to slowly but surely reach their goals and aspirations.” Remember, wars are marathons. If you get tired, rest. Don’t let fatigue become fatal; don’t let it change who you are.   

Today’s goal: Pay attention to your thoughts and actions. Has fatigued set in? If so, find some way to rest and recuperate so that fatigue doesn’t change who you are. 

Watch this video to better understand pandemic fatigue

Throwback Thursday - 1,000 Miles

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on February 11, 2004. 

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been thinking about the last 30 years of building our dojo and reflecting on all of the hardships and obstacles that were overcome, all the battles and struggles we survived and all of the grief and sad moments that still must be remembered. Truly it was a struggle but nothing I would ever exchange for if I had another opportunity to do this over again. The greatest struggle of all, I suppose, was to remain true to one's self and the principles of Aikido.

As I was pondering this for our upcoming anniversary program, I watched a program, "Escape from Tibet." It is about the many Tibetans who have been imprisoned, tortured and killed in Tibet and those who have tried to escape this oppression into India to join their spiritual and governmental leader, His Holiness The Dalai Lama. I was so moved to see these people struggle on this freezing-cold, snow bound 1,000 mile walk over the Himalayan mountains into India. When I saw their struggle, sitting here in my office with a small heater to warm my feet, I realized that my own struggles are so small compared to many others in this world.

We should never be so proud of what we do, especially when so many people all over the world are suffering so badly. It would be such shame to brag about my own struggles now and so I have to change my speech.

We all go through this 1,000 mile journey in our lives, each one of us must cross over their own Himalayan mountains to reach the other side. If we can see the suffering of others, we can respect their circumstances above our own. Isn't this a natural human sentiment from the heart?

More than boast of our own courage, struggles and victories, we must count our blessings and be compassionate to those less fortunate than ourselves.

Ultimately, we can be proud as long as we serve others and train correctly in the Path of Aikido.

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Koshinage

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Koshinage 

Santiago Almaraz Sensei demonstrates the basics of koshinage or hip throw. In other arts, there are distinctions between the use of the hip, shoulder or leg when throwing from the rear. However, in Aikido, all throws over the back are classified as hip throws. Almaraz Sensei demonstrates the most basic cautionary steps that need to be included in koshinage in order to make it effective and safe for both the nage and the uke.    

Sometimes there's no time to read a lengthy message or watch a long documentary. So we've created these quick and easy 2 minute techniques to help you improve your Aikido technique and knowledge. Keep an eye out for them every Wednesday. 

Enjoy!

Happy Lunar New Year!

新年快乐 
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè!
Happy New Year!

This Lunar New Year is the year of the Ox which should bring calmness with a sense of steadiness and prosperity. Incidentally this year is also the start of a new decade and the date is a palindrome. It is said that a warrior rides swiftly forward on a horse while a man of peace rides slowly upon an ox. Wisemen, like Lao Tzu, are often depicted riding on the back of an ox. The ox and the ume or plum blossoms are the symbols of the coming of spring and the beginning of farming. In Asians cultures, the ox is a symbol of prosperity and when we think of an ox, we think of a hardworking animal, but also an animal that has a quiet sense of determination and is quite stubborn. Hopefully, the ox will be a steadying force that guides us forward into not only a new year but a new decade as well. It is easy to think that the growth of a martial artist is linear as most only “see” the end results. However, most martial arts training, regardless of style, is tangential and full of ups and downs. The journey of a martial artist is much more like a ride upon a slow ox than a swift horse. Most of the time, our progress doesn’t seem like progress at all and it can be quite discouraging. However, what most don’t know is that learning to preserve through the struggle is the training. In Asian culture, the ox is often depicted by a man pulling it while it pulls a cart. The man pulling the ox is supposed to represent the struggles that we all experience following the Way. When we climb upon the oxen’s back we stop trying to pull and learn to go with the flow. That is when we supposedly begin to see the Buddha nature which supposedly exists within all of us. It is a constant that every year will have its ups and downs but the factor which can change is how we perceive those ups and downs and how we choose to deal with them. We get to choose whether to ride a horse and do battle with them or harmonize with them and ride an ox toward inner peace. I wish you all a year of quiet determination filled with calmness, hard work and peace. 

Today’s goal: What things are you fighting with that you can instead harmonize with? Learn to let go. 

Throwback Thursday - Spirited Energy

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on February 14, 2003. 

Both in Aikido and Iaido practice, we must think about ikioi (勢い) - a Japanese word meaning "spirited energy.” Another meaning is "to be full of ki.” This word is really very difficult to translate into English. We should always think about making our movements, techniques and practice very energetic and spiritual - not lackluster, limp or lazy. This does not mean to be harsh, stiff or brutal nor does it mean to apply more strength in the technique against our partner. More than anything, I think, it is a mental state of being in the moment, energetic and "lively." In Iaido, it is the same. Be decisive, spirited and full of energy!

This does not only apply to practicing on the mats but off the mats as well. Of course, everyone is tired from work, family and daily life's trials so we like to drag our feet into the Dojo as an "escape" from all of this. No, Aikido is not an escape. Quite on the contrary, more than our family, work, and everything in this environment, Aikido training requires more, very much more, energy, effort, attention and awareness! Many of us do Aikido like relaxing in front of a television after a hard day. We only think of it as a recreation or distraction from real life. We think our practice is a time to just space-out. NO, it is not!

What is amazing about Aikido is that we will always feel more energized after practice no matter how tired we are when we enter the dojo. Before you come into the dojo, change your attitude and mind, and become like a sharp sword - this is ikioi.

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Ura-nage

Mike Van Ruth demonstrates Ura-age in this week’s 2 Minute Technique video. Ura-age means “behind throw” and is another unorthodox Aikido technique. It is not the same as the Judo version nor is it similar to a wrestling suplex. The main difference is that those throws utilize the arch of the back to lift the person off the ground. In the Aikido version of Ura-nage, you lift the person off the ground and throw them straight down while stepping back. The goal is to either slam their back on the ground and knock the wind out of them or make them hit their tail bone. In the Judo and wrestling versions the goal would be to make them hit their head which could be fatal. In the Aikido version it would debilitate them but not be fatal. This technique is most often used as a kaeshi-waza or reversal technique.   

Sometimes there's no time to read a lengthy message or watch a long documentary. So we've created these quick and easy 2 minute techniques to help you improve your Aikido technique and knowledge. Keep an eye out for them every Wednesday. 

Enjoy!

Mind Your Sleeves

Warriors must mind their sleeves. Once, when I was younger, my mother took me to a very formal Japanese inn. One of the things she and her friends marveled about was how well trained the server was by the way she deftly negotiated her kimono sleeve while serving us dinner. The sode or “sleeve” of our keiko-gi or uniform is a very important training tool. Incidentally, we should never use our sleeve to wipe our face - that is what a tenagui or “hand towel” is for. The hem of our keiko-gi sleeve or sodeshita should normally fall to the base of the wrist. Oftentimes, I see people roll up their sleeves or hem their sleeves mid way up their forearms. This is not bad or wrong per se, but it just shows a lack of sophistication in a Japanese etiquette sense. A samurai would normally wear their sleeves down and would only tie up their sleeves with a tasuki or “sash” when going into battle. Short or rolled up sleeves are more of a western custom that isn’t really done that much in Japan. One reason for sleeve length could be to hide our forearms because the development of our forearms speaks to our level of training. Obviously, a person who engages in the martial arts has more developed forearms. Another possible reason could be that the sleeve adds another impediment that the attacker would have to deal with when attacking. Without knowing the size of the forearm hidden under the sleeve, an attacker might misjudge their grab and give their victim the advantage. One more possible reason comes from swordsmanship. More experienced and higher ranking Iaidoists usually have kimonos with longer and wider sleeves. One reason for this is that it takes a higher level of skill to do the techniques while negotiating a longer sleeve. Our sleeves are not just the things which cover our arms or that we use to wipe our sweat upon. Our sleeves can demonstrate to others our level of training and martial arts ability. That is why good martial artists always mind their sleeves.  

Today’s goal: The sleeve is a metaphor for how we do things. The best always take care of the smallest details.

Situational Awareness

“All things can be deadly to us, even the things made to serve us; as in nature’s walls can kill us, and stairs can kill us, if we do not walk circumspectly.” - Blaise Pascal, Author

A warrior is supposed to have situational awareness or an awareness of their surroundings at all times. Situational awareness can be broken down into three parts: perception of the elements in the environment, comprehension of the situation, and projection of future status. Seems like commonsense. O’Sensei is quoted as saying, “Shihonage is the foundation of Aikido. All you ever need to master is shihonage.” Some take his quote to mean that shihonage is the only technique one might need. Maybe. However, if you look at the kanji for shio (四方), perhaps he is talking about situational awareness. Shiho translates to mean the four cardinal directions (NSEW) but it can also refer to one’s “surroundings.” For fun, one can posit that being aware of one’s surroundings is the foundation of Aikido and that one only needs to master their surroundings to master Aikido. In Aikido class, when we act as nage or tori, we are supposed to be able to place our opponent when throwing them. We shouldn’t throw them where they could get injured or injure others. When we throw someone into another person, it shows a lack of skill, nefarious intent or low situational awareness. Likewise, when we are the uke and being thrown, we should be setting ourselves up to be placed into a position which is safe and most advantageous for us. For instance, in crowded classes we shouldn’t lay on the floor for extended periods of time because someone could fall on top of us and get hurt. By practicing both roles, we learn to become more situationally aware. Being situationally aware doesn’t mean paranoid. Situational awareness means being mindful of not only what we are doing, but also aware of what is going on around us.     

Today’s goal: The easiest way to be situationally aware is to put down your phone and get out of your own head. 

Watch this video of the situational awareness of pilots to better understand the situational awareness in Aikido training.

Today's Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Kamakubi

Ito Sensei demonstrates Kamakubi in this week’s 2 Minute Technique video. Kamakubi refers to the shape of the arm in the joint lock. The arm when twisted looks like a kama or Japanese sickle and kubi refers to the neck of the wrist. Generally, joint locks fall into two categories: Osae-waza or pinning techniques or kansetsu-waza or joint attack. In an osae-waza the joint and the opponent are immobilized but in a kansetsu-waza the joint is manipulated but not the opponent is not always immobilized. Sometimes people call kansetsu-waza style joint locks “come-alongs” as they are used to move people like in a police situation. An example of an osae-waza joint lock would be nikyo. Examples of kansetsu-waza joint locks would be kamakubi and sankyo. Students should know the difference between the two and not mistake one for the other. 

Sometimes there's no time to read a lengthy message or watch a long documentary. So we've created these quick and easy 2 minute techniques to help you improve your Aikido technique and knowledge. Keep an eye out for them every Wednesday. 

Enjoy!

Watch other Aiki Dojo videos here: 2 Minute Techniques

Mental Flexibility

通り魔
Toorima
A demon who brings random misfortune 

The best warriors always leave room for the illogical. Something is typically illogical when it doesn’t fit the framework that we have created in our own minds. It is human nature to strive for certainty. We all want to “know” or think we know what is coming next. However, this “knowing” or relying on what we think we know can have dire consequences in the martial arts. All strategy is built upon a logic predicated on reading the opponent and anticipating their next move. When we have a certain amount of knowledge built up, we try to defeat them by out maneuvering them with deception or surprise. Most, if not all, martial arts are built on this same logic or “if this then that” mentality which becomes the basis of kata (型) or “form.” In the Principles of War, it is said that “Surprise can decisively shift the balance of combat power.” The martial arts is no different as someone once said, “The sucker punch is the most effective martial arts technique.” Thus, in preparation, the best warrior always leaves room for toorima or “randomness.” Toorima (通り魔) means random but literally translates as “The demon that passes by.” We cannot truly “know” anything despite the fact that we like to think that we do. The only thing we can know or rely upon is ourselves. Carl Jung said, "Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.” By knowing one’s self, we gain an understanding of not only what we can or can’t do, but also where our vulnerable points may be. Having the knowledge of the self, creates a certain nimbleness or legerity which enables us to respond appropriately or spontaneously to something illogical or that thing we didn’t know was coming. This is the mental and physical agility that we strive for in Aikido. In Aikido, it is called ki no nagare (氣の流れ) or “The flow of ki.” We flow with the attack as it is happening but not as a reaction to it. As Socrate once said, “The only thing that I know is that I know nothing.” Understanding this, warriors always leave room for that thing that might be illogical to us. 

Today’s goal: Are you struggling? We struggle because we cannot accept things as they are because to us it is illogical. 

Strong Ki or Energy

氣が強い
Ki ga tsuyoi  
To have strong energy 

Do you have strong Ki (氣)? Ki is, for lack of a better explanation, one’s life-force or energy. When a person has strong will, the Japanese say that they have “Yaruki” (遣る氣). Likewise, when a person has no desire, ambition or willpower, they are said to have ki that is not working or “Ki ga kikanai” (氣が効か無い). In training, this idea of one’s ki is present as well. When we are fully focused and there are no openings in our movements, we are said to be in a state of jitsu (実) and that is where we have yaruki and our ki is the strongest. When we lose our concentration and are open to attack, we are in a state of kyo (虚) or where our ki loses power or when we have lost our will. Throughout class, our energy ebbs and flows and modern day people attribute this to how the class is taught. If the teacher or students talk too much and the students move too little, then this opens the students up to kyo or they lose concentration. This type of kyo only happens to less experienced practitioners. In the old days of martial arts or with more experienced practitioners, regardless of how the class is taught or what is being taught, the more ardent never lose concentration. That is why in budo some say that “The best teachers are the most unreasonable.” It is human nature to rationalize why it is someone else’s fault. However, the most unreasonable are the best because they don’t allow us the opportunity for excuses. Unreasonable teachers force the students to improve despite the quality of the teacher, the curriculum, the situation or if they talk too much which they shouldn’t. We alone allow our ki to lose its focus or let it impact our willpower. Martial artists aren’t superheroes or special. They are just people who do their best to live their lives to the fullest and that means with the strongest ki or effort that they can produce. 

Today’s goal: Remember, everything in life is a test or lesson. Don’t allow anything to affect your energy. 

Throwback Thursday - Sword of Truth

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on September 4, 2003. 

The Sword is an often discussed subject on the internet when people are discussing Aikido. Regrettably, I almost never see anyone holding the sword properly or even making a proper cut. I hope that people do not think that swordsmanship is as easy as they think it is. When we view O'Sensei's sword work it is truly something more amazing than what we can possibly imagine. 

Whatever fancy move we may make, if it doesn't perfectly conform to the very fundamentals of swordsmanship, it is not swordsmanship at all.

As difficult as swordsmanship is to attain, there is nothing more profoundly beautiful and subtle.

We find many truths in our sword practice, I think this is why the sword has been so revered by countless numbers of generations of great warriors from times past.

Old samurai saying: Hold the sword before you and see the gates of hell, raise the sword above your head and go forward and open the gates of paradise.

Giving Tuesday - The Art of Aikido Vol 9

“We are fortunate that we belong to a big dojo with many fine teachers and students to practice with. Not only for ourselves, but these students and teachers, have their own seniors and on and on. We are fortunate because we are in a continuous line of people giving and bringing up the next generation and sharing with those who are less fortunate and more isolated from such learning resources. Who owns what, and what can you charge for this? We are only giving back what we have been given. When we think of ‘me,’ there can be no discipline or order in one’s life. When we think of others, only then will compassion and giving be born.” - Rev. Kensho Furuya

It was encouraging news yesterday that the coronavirus is beginning to trend downward and things will start opening back up again, but that doesn’t mean that things will immediately go back to normal. A famous Japanese proverb is “Katte kara kabuto no o wo shime yo” which means “After victory, tighten your helmet.” This adage reminds us to be vigilant and to take care despite the recent improvements. There are still many people and organizations who have fought the good fight these past 10 or so months but are still struggling. It would be nice if we all looked in on our favorite, restaurants, businesses and nonprofits and see if they need support.   

Give what you can. Some can give a lot while others can only give their support. Having the spirit or intention matters more than “what” we give. 

Please help out others if you can. Today, we release Volume Nine of Furuya Sensei’s Art of Aikido Video series. We hope that you are enjoying Sensei’s video series. 

As part of Giving Tuesday, please donate to your favorite charity or social program. The Aikido Center of Los Angeles and the Furuya Foundation support these charitable organizations to name a few: 

Little Tokyo Service Center 

Terasaki Budokan

Zenshuji Soto Mission 

Higashi Hongwanji 

Nishi Hongwanji

Take a mindful moment

Take a mindful moment. When we are young, we are told to shake someone’s hand firmly and look them in the eyes. Most of us do what we are told and never think more about it. Gestures like shaking hands or bowing exist in every culture, but how many of us take a moment and pause when we do this to make it an authentic gesture? In Japanese, this short pause could be referred to as “hitokokyu” (一呼吸) which can be translated as “one breath.” Thus, when we take a moment and mindfully pause, we make the gesture authentic. In tea ceremony or Zen, to mindfully take in the moment is called ichigo ichie (一期一会). Ichigo ichie translates as “one time, one meeting” but it's supposed to refer to how we honor the ephemeralness of life because we know that this moment will never happen exactly the same way again. In Aikido, we normally pause like this when we bow before and after we train with someone. However, there are one or more other pauses within each technique as well. For example, after we have negotiated the first part of our opponent’s attack there is usually a pause. Pausing doesn’t necessarily mean physically stopping. For beginners, the pause is more physical which can mean physically stopping. For an expert, the pause is more mental and it appears that they don’t actually physically stop at all. Regardless of one’s level, we pause to regain our composure and to survey the situation which enables us to act appropriately. This person just attacked us which might cause a spike in our adrenaline which could in turn cause our conscious minds to go into subconscious fight or flight mode and give us tunnel vision. When we “lose our minds” we run the risk of doing something that we may regret later. Incidentally, the kokyu kanji (呼吸) in hitokokyu is the same kanji as in kokyu dosa which is the last technique that is practiced in every Aikido class and kokyu supposedly exists in every technique. One could then surmise that breathing brings us back to the moment which enables us to do things authentically which means with all of our heart. In everything we do, we should search for opportunities to pause for a mindful moment. 

Today’s goal: Look for opportunities throughout your day to pause for a mindful moment. 

Haste Makes Waste

急げば急ぐほど遅くなる
Isogeba isogu hodo osoku naru 
More haste, less speed 

Warriors never rush. One paradox in budo is that we actually have to slow down in order to speed up. In Japanese, this is referred to as “Isogeba isogu hodo osoku naru” or “More haste, less speed.” In Aikido, every step in a technique must be completed properly - satisfying each step is the greatest predictor of success. To the less experienced, it may seem faster & even logical to skip some of the steps. However, skipping steps in order to go faster could cause us to make a mistake which could impact our efficiency & effectiveness. A martial artist is only effective because they are efficient. That’s why basketball great, John Wooden once said, “Be quick, but don't hurry.” Both of these aphorisms are more of a caution against carelessness than about speed. The main difference between an expert & a beginner is that an expert never skips steps. Efficiency & effectiveness are a function of error - the more errors usually indicates that we are less efficient & less effective. In class, whenever we find ourselves going too fast or losing control, we are supposed to stop, take a breath & re-center ourselves. Today, most of us, if not all of us multi-task. On average, it takes a person 25 mins to refocus when they are disrupted. At the dojo is supposed to be different, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Student’s often bring in their baggage of the outside world on to the mat. Furuya Sensei used to often say, “Come to the dojo, but cut off your head & leave it outside the door.” A dojo is a sacred space that is supposed to be a respite from our daily grinds. Within its hallowed walls, we are supposed to use that time & space to practice awareness & mindfulness. If we want to be the best, we shouldn’t hurry & that’s why warriors never rush. 

Today’s goal: Whenever you find yourself making a mistake or losing control, take a breath, center yourself & slow down. 

Real Freedom

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on March 26, 2003. 

I notice that many think that freedom is the ability to do whatever they feel like. If they don't like it, or they feel a little lazy, right away, they say, "No!" or "Forget it!" It happens in Aikido

too. "I don't like this so forget it." Or, "That hurts so I don't want to do it!" and so on. We pick and choose everything and just go by the momentary feelings we have.

In training, however, it is not a "world of everything you want.”  Everything is a "must do" world. We "must" train. We must do this. We must do that. We have no choice! We must do everything! This is why many people have problems with training. Sometimes, we think, "It is like a prisoner camp!" or "I can't do what I want!"

If we think about it, the real world is just like this. It is really not our so-called "freedom" world but a "must do" world too. I must go to work. I must study. I must work hard. I must pay the bills. I must repair the house. I must clean the floors and on and on. 

Because there are so many things we "must do" it does not mean that our so-called freedom is violated. It is the way of the world, but it is just that our thinking is wrong.

Our Life is so valuable that we cannot afford to waste it! Don't think of freedom as "not" doing everything - or just doing what we feel like! Do not think "I must do" but be very, very grateful that it is really an "I CAN do!" world.

I "can" work hard. I "can" study hard. I can repair my house. I can train in Aikido. With all the things that we CAN do in our lives - we can, for the first time, realize TRUE Freedom.

So as a teacher, I always say, "You MUST train hard!" Haha! Can you understand?

Giving Tuesday - Volume 8 of The Art of Aikido

“He who is greatest among you shall be a servant. That's the new definition of greatness. ... By giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Someone once said, “Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today.” What type of world do we want to create? Regardless of what it is, it must start today. We can all make a difference and that difference begins with our actions. Start that change off by supporting those in need. Today, most of the smaller businesses and non-profits are struggling. If you can, please support the causes and businesses that are close to your heart.  

Give what you can. Some can give a lot while others can only give their support. Having the spirit or intention matters more than “what” we give. 

Please help out others if you can. Today, we release Volume Eight of Furuya Sensei’s Art of Aikido Video series. We hope that you are enjoying Sensei’s video series. 

As part of Giving Tuesday, please donate to your favorite charity or social program. The Aikido Center of Los Angeles and the Furuya Foundation support these charitable organizations to name a few:

Little Tokyo Service Center

Terasaki Budokan

Zenshuji Soto Mission

Higashi Hongwanji

Nishi Hongwanji