The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - How to do a Sutemi-waza

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - How to do a Sutemi-waza

David Ito Sensei explains the basics of how to do a sutemi-waza (捨て身技) or “sacrifice throw.” A sacrifice or suicide throw is classified as an advanced Aikido technique. As a rule of thumb, one should only use a sutemi-waza as a last resort because doing it incorrectly can actually put us in a more dangerous position. We can break our opponents balance mechanically, but an Aikidoist prefers to use timing, spacing, speed or reaction to do a sutemi-waza. Being able to do a sutemi-waza is a great indicator of one’s advanced level skill.

Let us know if you want us to do a full length video on this or any topic.

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!

Polish Your Heart

Yaki-tachi wo saya ni osamete, masumasu masurao no kokoro wo togarikeri.
Keep your tempered sword in its scabbard - first polish a heart of courage. 
- Old Samurai maxim

More than mere self-defense, the martial arts teach us to have self-restraint. Some might wonder if hand to hand combat has any place in modern warfare or in the modern world. Josef Stalin once said, “The artillery is a god of modern war.”  What he was referring to is that in warfare, “Range is the king.” The farther we are from our opponent while still being able to inflict damage or death upon them without sustaining any damage ourselves is the best possible scenario in any conflict. So the hierarchy goes: fist, knife, sword, spear, bow, gun, artillery and nuclear bomb. If the martial arts or hand to hand combat is so ineffective with its mere six feet of range, then why practice it in modern warfare? The reason is because there is no better way to develop one’s self than through martial arts training. Through training we are able to access our sokojikara (底力) or “Our hidden reserve of strength.” This strength is what we will rely upon when find ourselves up against something that is seemingly insurmountable. Training forges things like self-discipline, perseverance, and confidence to name just a few but most of all we learn how to become better human beings. Furuya Sensei once wrote, “Through training, strive, commit, persevere, endure, overcome, be patient, honest, open, humble, seek and achieve - this is what makes Aikido the great art that it is and this puts the final polish on all of us as human beings.” After a certain amount of training and experience, we come to realize the futility in not only hand to hand combat but in fighting as a whole. With this realization, we come to understand why O’Sensei advocated for non-violence. O’Sensei knew that our true inner strength comes not from being able to dispatch someone but in having the power to resist the temptation to. Thus, our real sokojikara is in having the ability to restrain ourselves especially when someone is trying to hurt us. 

Today’s goal: Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. How can you show restraint today? 

Learn more about the role of philosophy in Aikido by watching or listening to our podcast:

Throwback Thursday - What is True Practice?

Throwback Thursday - What is True Practice?

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

I know that people put a lot of energy into getting their black belts - of course, it is everyone’s goal and of course, we should put efforts into developing our skills. It makes perfect sense.

What I would like my students to know is that True Practice is not simply to get stronger and is not simply to get their black belts. Aikido practice goes far beyond this - much farther.

Coming to practice each day - one learns commitment and perseverance. Trying hard to understand the techniques and what is being taught - one learns to develop their awareness and depth of perception. Practicing with various students in class - one learns the importance of getting along with others and working together in harmony. Following the teacher's instructions - one learns the difference between right and wrong. Cleaning the dojo after practice - one learns responsibility and a caring heart. Keeping one's uniform clean and in good repair - one learns the value of our daily lives - whoever we are. Trying to follow O'Sensei's teachings - one learns about virtue and wisdom. All of these are far more important than a belt color but there is no reward for all of this.

This is the meaning of spiritual training - everything is from within. By devoting yourself in this way, you will somehow be rewarded - but in a way that no one will know or see or recognize. You will never get a black belt for it, but please trust me in this! This is true practice and this is what I look for in my students.

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - 15 Different Iriminage Throws

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - 15 Different Iriminage Throws

Maria Murakawa, Aikido 4th Dan demonstrates the various iriminage (入り身投げ) techniques from different attacks. Irimi means “body moving or entering in” and nage means “throw.” Commonly most people do iriminage focusing on accomplishing the throw with their arms. However, we can see from the translation of the name that it is the body and not the arms which make the throw work. Let us know if you want us to do a full length video on this or any topic.

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!

Aiki Dojo Message - Life’s Thorns

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” ―The Emperor, Disney’s Mulan

One of the major things that all martial arts teach is resiliency. In terms of Aikido, the proverb that comes to mind is “Nana korobi ya oki” (七転び八起き) or “Fall down seven times, but get up eight.” Every day in Aikido practice someone throws us down and we have to put this proverb into practice and get up. We have this wonderful student who started during the pandemic. She comes to almost every class and really exemplifies what it means to be a “good” student. The other day while rolling out of a technique she landed on her hip a little too hard and got injured. One of the senior students advised her to take some time off. To our surprise, she showed up one day later and didn’t make a big deal about it and just trained. At the end of class, I said, “Congratulations!” She and everyone else looked around quizzically. I explained that I congratulated her because our first training injury is supposed to be auspicious. Most people think that our first promotion makes us a real Aikidoist, but in all actuality the true right of passage is our first injury. Our first injury tests our mettle and demonstrates our true inner character. This won’t be her last injury and there will undoubtedly be bumps and bruises or keikyoku (荊棘) or “obstacles” throughout her journey in not only Aikido, but in life as well. Epictetus said, “It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Thus, our reaction demonstrates our true inner character. She could have quit but instead she chose to gaman (我慢) or “persevere” in the face of her obstacle. The word keikyoku means “obstacle” but it literally translates as “thorns” and it seems apropos for the martial arts. Keikyoku remind us that we have to get past the thorns to enjoy something’s beauty. Thus, Aikido training teaches us that life is really about surmounting obstacles.

Today’s goal: If you are considering giving up, don’t. The perseverance is worth it. 

Throwback Thursday - Harmony

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on July 3, 2004.

No matter how much we try to think of others and be compassionate and giving human beings, we always put ourselves first and most importantly foremost. There is nothing "bad" about this - this is the Nature of all human beings. I am sure this comes from our natural survival instinct which we are born with. Thinking of ourselves enables us to survive in this world and live a fulfilled and complete life and is not “selfishness.” Selfishness is something different - much more small-minded and narrowed viewed.

Please learn to distinguish between your rights in Life in fulfilling yourself, putting yourself in the center of your world and something we call selfishness which is acting in a self-centered and hurtful way towards ourselves and toward others.

There is a big difference here which we must learn to understand about ourselves and the relationship we have with the others around us as well. . . .

Aikido should not be a projection of our egos, but a deep, profound and sincere discovery of our true self through practice. In Aikido, this True Self is seen in the relationship with the world around us. With Nature, the True Self is never an exclusive entity. This is the meaning of harmony.

Learn to Listen

耳が肥える
Mimi ga koeru
To have a trained ear

The best warriors are good listeners. During the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan, warlord Takeda Shingen or “The Tiger of Kai” was known for his prowess as a military tactician but, more importantly, he was known to be a good listener. In 1573, the Tiger laid siege upon Noda Castle in Mikawa. The castle was heavily fortified and defended by future Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. Shingen was an intellectual leader and known for being a tactician who deeply trusted his men. During the campaign, Shingen poured over daily intelligence reports trying to build a profile of his enemies strengths and weaknesses. Knowing the day to day movements of his enemies enabled him to determine their rate of decay as the siege raged on. Supposedly, his commanders gave such detailed reports that they even mentioned a lone flute player who could be heard playing every night at the same time. Grasping on to that little detail, Shingen went every night and listened to the melodic sounds of the flute player. Shingen’s generals trusted him but they thought he might be losing his mind. Shingen explained that the morale of the opposing army could be assessed by listening to the quality of the flutist’s music playing. At the same time, his army was digging a tunnel to drain the castle’s moat. At the moment when Shingen thought Ieyasu’s army’s moral was at its lowest, he drained their moat and took away all their drinking water along with their main defense. This led to their swift surrender. By listening and patiently waiting for the right moment, Shingen was able to secure the surrender of Noda Castle. Takeda Shingen was a great warrior because he was smart enough to be a good listener. By learning to listen, we can become successful in not only our Aikido training, but in life as well. Training teaches us how to develop our “ear” so that we can learn faster and more assiduously. The best students learn how to actively listen and that is why warriors are always good listeners. 

Today’s goal: Most of us are just waiting for our turn to speak. Try listening instead. 

Traditional

温故知新
Onkochishin 
Learning from the past

Today, the word “traditional” has become the most controversial word in martial arts training. “Traditional” has either a negative connotation and used disparagingly or is something others use to hide behind. So that begs the question, “What is does traditional really mean?” Dentouteki (伝統的) means “traditional” and the current definition is: “existing in or as part of a tradition; long-established,” “produced, done, or used in accordance with tradition,” or “something habitually done, used, or found.” No help there! Some traditional budo are 4000-5000 years old. So one has to wonder how much has been lost over the years? Logically, there will be some deviation with each generation and the math dictates that at some point the beginning product will be very different from the final product and will have no mukashinagara (昔ながら) or “To be the same as it was a long time ago.” Thus, can something truly be “traditional”? We should really think about budo like sourdough bread. Sourdough bread begins with something called a “mother” or a “starter.” A mother is a live culture that begins the fermentation process in the natural yeast so that the bread dough will rise. Without the mother, the bread won’t rise and it won’t be a good loaf of sourdough bread. Ideally, a traditional “mother” can last for a thousand years if it is cared for properly. So, a “real” sourdough loaf has an element in it that can be traced back thousands of years. Over the years, my definition and understanding of traditional has changed. Obviously, because of the math, there is no possible way for today’s martial arts to be “exactly” like the original and on a certain level it shouldn’t because it should be evolving. Thus, the “mother” in this sense is the  training and the tradition is the care we apply to the mother. Since, we can’t do it exactly the way it was done in the past then the only thing we can do is to be serious about the process. This seriousness is what keeps us on track and helps us to keep the deviations at bay.  If a person cares and is assiduous about doing the best that they can then a small piece of the beginning can still be found in a traditional loaf of bread or in a traditional martial art and thus it can be transmitted to the next generation. Be traditional or serious about whatever it is that you do. 

Today’s goal: Think about what traditional means to you. 

Be Gentle

Throwback Thursday - Be Gentle

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on July 20, 2004.

In Japanese, there is a word, "sunao na” (素直な) which means to be "gentle." Be gentle in your outlook and try to see what the teacher is trying to teach you. You do not have to blow up and quit every time something doesn't suit your fancy. Sometimes, understanding does not come immediately and may take days, weeks and even many years before it comes to you. This is what it means to be "gentle" and have a little patience.

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Finger Locks

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Finger Locks

David Ito Sensei covers the basics of Yubi-waza (指技) or “finger locks” in Aikido. Finger locks are a small part of Aikido training and really more used as a transition to other techniques. Let us know if you want us to do a full length video on this or any topic.

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!

Weakness or Strength?

至弱をもって至強に当たる
Shijaku wo motteshikyo ni ataru
Attack your enemy’s strength with your weaknesses 

Martial artist never judge but instead try to understand zengokankei (前後関係) or “context.” There was once a 10 year old boy named John who lost his left arm in a car accident. After getting out of the hospital, John was depressed because he felt that he could never be like the other kids. To improve John’s self-confidence, his mother took him to a local judo dojo to learn from a very old venerable master named Sato Sensei. Day after day, John only practiced footwork and ippon seionage or “one arm shoulder throw.” After a few months, John would see other students learning different techniques and asked his sensei why he wasn’t learning other techniques. Sato Sensei only responded, “Just keep practicing.” After one year, Sato Sensei entered John into a tournament. John was very nervous, but his sensei assured him that he would do fine. In the first match after John calmed down, he performed a beautiful seionage and easily won his first match. Match after match John kept winning with seionage until he reached the final match. John’s opponent was the state champion who was a foot taller than him. It was a hard fought battle and they pushed and wrenched back and forth and it took every ounce of John’s footwork to keep from being thrown. At the very last minute, John managed to do a perfect seionage and win the tournament. Afterwards, John asked his sensei, “Do you think they let me win because they felt sorry for me because I only have one arm?” Sato Sensei said, “No. You won because you dedicated one year to mastering seionage and the only way to defend against it is by using the opposite arm.” Having only one arm was John’s disadvantage, but it ended up being his advantage in the end. Most times something is only strong or weak because we judge it that way. More importantly, we should be analyzing something’s strength based upon the context in which it is applied. Thus, the great equalizer isn’t really technique, ability or having both arms but the mindset by which we choose to see something.

Today’s goal: Think about what weakness can you use to your advantage. 

Let it Flow

“Engender the mind with no place to abide.” -Takuan Soho

All martial artists are trying to reach a state of mushin (無心) or “no mind.” Having “no mind” doesn’t mean “no thought.” On the contrary there is thought but in this state the mind doesn’t hold on to any one specific thought. We can think of this state as a perpetual practice of “letting go.” Long ago there lived a famous sumo wrestler named Onami (大波) which means “Great Waves.” Onami was very strong. In training, he even defeated his own teacher but was so shy that beginners often beat him in tournaments. Troubled, Onami decided to visit a wise Zen master. The priest listened to Onami tell his story and said, “Your name means great waves, so please spend the night in the temple and imagine that you are a wave and not a wrestler who is afraid. Imagine yourself as a powerful wave sweeping over everything.” The teacher left and Onami sat meditating and imaging himself as a wave. As he meditated, the waves became larger and larger. At one point he imagined the waves engulfing the temple. At dawn, he no longer saw waves but only a calm vast ocean. When the teacher returned he found Onami seated in meditation with a big smile. He said, “Now nothing can disturb you. Become the wave and you will never again be defeated.” Onami was never defeated again. Like Onami, Aikidoists practice mushin but we practice it within our movement. We call this practice ki no nagare (氣の流れ) or “The flow of ki.” Most people think that by just being in continual motion that they have achieved ki no nagare. However, ki no nagare is actually a state of mind. It is the movement version of mushin. With every step within each technique, we have to keep reminding ourselves to let go, relax and stay centered. It is only when our minds and our bodies have jointly “let go” that we can achieve ki no nagare and step into mushin. In life and in Aikido, we should all be practicing the art of “letting it go” and let our ki flow.  

Today’s goal: Figure out what can you let go of which is holding you back? 

Throwback Thursday - Become Familiar

Throwback Thursday - Become Familiar

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on May 27, 2003.

The Japanese have so many words for "learning," which somewhat illustrates how important this concept is to their culture. For a while now, I have been talking about the Japanese term, "mi-narau" (見習う) or “to learn by observation." In Japanese traditional arts, it is best to learn by observation and practice with the emphasis on seeing and imitating the movement until one begins to understand it. I think this is especially important in learning Aikido and Iaido at the beginning level.

Now I would like to introduce another word Japanese use for learning,”nareru" (慣れる). This literally means "to become accustomed to” or "become familiar with." This is one aspect of the art which is often neglected. I see, in this world, that when we do the technique just a few times, we think we have caught on to it! "Nareru" means to work with something until it becomes second nature. I notice that many students sometimes cannot catch on to the technique - not because of any inability or lack of talent - it is simply that they have not worked with it enough. Again, this emphasizes the importance of regular and continued training in the art. To "nareru" also means that we have “mastered" it. Once we have become totally accustomed to something it then becomes a form of mastery as it has become "second nature" and is now really a part of us. So until you "nareru" the art, please keep up your training.

Photo: Furuya Sensei demonstrating at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Little Tokyo with uke Ken Watanabe

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Basic Atemi for Ikkyo

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Basic Atemi for Ikkyo

David Ito Sensei discusses and demonstrates the basic atemi for Ikkyo. An atemi (当て身) is a strike to a vital area of an attacker’s body.  Today, the use of atemi in Aikido has been evolved out of the movement in most cases. This is especially true for Ikkyo. However, Ikkyo is one of those techniques that needs to be done just right in order to execute it properly. If a person doesn’t catch the timing then they will probably need to use an atemi or two. Each attack has a specific Ikkyo technique for that attack. Therefore, because each attack has its own Ikkyo, it will have its own nuanced atemi as well. However, there are three basic atemi that every Ikkyo has: some sort of strike to the face, a rib strike with the fist and rib strike with the knee. If one’s technique is good then the atemi isn’t necessary but they are like money in the bank and thus every Aikido should know them. Let us know if you want us to do a full length video on this or any topic.

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

Thank A Teacher

“If you can read this, thank a teacher.” Harry S. Truman

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers are supposed to forge us into better versions of ourselves. In Sumo training, the sumo-tori or wrestler practices palm striking and pushing exercises on this large pillar or pole called a teppo (鉄砲 ).  Repeatedly palm striking this pole is supposed to improve their tachiai (立合い) or the “initial charge” at the beginning of a sumo bout. A teppo is a large piece of rounded wood that is sunk into the ground and the wrestlers are supposed to try and uproot it with their pushes and strikes. Striking the teppo can be painful but it is supposed to make one’s hands very strong and improve their initial attack. In many ways a teppo is like a teacher. Teachers must stand up straight and be strong like a teppo in not only form but action as well. A teppo always stands firm regardless of what the wrestler does to it like a teacher and like the teppo, the teacher is always waiting for the student to arrive. The only job of the teppo, like a teacher’s, is to make the wrestler or student better. Obviously, the pole can’t be moved but the wrestler is supposed to imagine that with enough effort it can be. Thus, the goal of every student is to surpass their teacher, but only those who put in the greatest effort will. Furuya Sensei said, “An average student admires their teacher, a good student follows their teacher, a great student will surpass them.” Truman’s assertion about reading is poignant because it is easy to take for granted the little things that are bestowed upon us thanklessly by our teachers. In Japanese they say, “Rosoku wa hokanohito wo terashimasu ga, jibun jishin wo hakai shimasu” (蝋燭は他の人を照らしますが、自分自身を破壊します) which means “A candle illuminates others but destroys itself.” This idiom is very much like a metaphor for teaching. The teacher, like the teppo, is easily overlooked for its sacrifices and without it we wouldn’t be the people we are today. That is why it is important to take a moment and appreciate those that have taught us because it is through their thankless efforts and sacrifices that we can not only read, but also function as human beings as well. Thank you Sensei and all others that have taught me in the past. 

Today’s goal: Take a moment to remember and appreciate those that have thanklessly taught you now and in the past.

Watch this wonderful video of a teacher who disarmed a school shooter.

Resiliency

打たれ強い
Utarezuyoi
Be able to take a strong hit

The warrior’s mindset is resilient. In the olden days of budo, training was much harsher. Teachers would intentionally say and do things to try and even slap you in order to elicit a response. The reason for this style of rough training was because as children we are taught to be on our best behavior and put forward our tatemae (建て前) or “outward face” and hide our honne (本音) or “true face” and so without knowing the student’s honne, a teacher wouldn’t truly be able to help them reach their highest potential. So it was thought that the teacher would have to force out the student’s true feelings, personality or intentions and some people also believed that our truest self comes out right after being slapped. One day, Furuya Sensei thought I was dropping my guard in bokken training so he thrusted me in the soft cleft at the base of my throat. It was accurate and just hard enough to make me gag. Surprised and scared, I grabbed my throat expecting to see blood. Sensei just turned and walked away and casually said, “You’re fine.” After that, he confided in someone and said, “David has a temper.” I did but I never lost my temper in the dojo so I was dumbfounded as to how he could ascertain that from that one moment. I would imagine that with that information, Sensei would know how best to train me. In past times, a student’s feelings were never taken into account and the harshness in training was intentional because it was thought to be the fastest way to prepare the student warrior for the rigors of battle. It is thought that the best always prepare themselves to take on opponents of equal or greater strength and skill and we know that those opponents will always come at us with all their might. It is more inevitable than impossible that we will at some point fall but the greatest measure of who we are is if we are able to get up after taking a strong hit. 

Today’s goal: Make resilience part of your day. If you get knocked down, get back up. 

Throwback Thursday - Aiki is a Living Thing

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on August 24, 2003.

合氣は生き物
Aiki wa ikimono
Aiki is a living thing

Sometimes, when I am studying a particular blade or sword guard, I often do not realize how much time has gone by - several hours pass like it was only a few minutes. When we become engrossed in our studies, we seem to lose awareness of everything else - we lose ourselves

in our subject and do not think of anything but the subject itself. Once I realize this, I immediately think, "Oh, look what time it is,” Or, "I'm hungry," or, "I didn't realize how long I was studying.” At that moment, I revert back to "self" awareness.

This should happen in our practice too. If we are really concentrated, we will not think of anything else. I often see students who are too worried about their "self image” or "reputation," or worried about their egos and these people never reach a deeper state of concentration in their practice.

One doesn't need any particular skill or talent or grade in order to achieve this ideal mental state - simply love practice and love what you are doing. Simply throw yourself into your training - you will have more energy to train and not realize how hard or long the practice is. When class finishes, you will say, "The time went by so fast!” This is the ideal mental state for practice.

If our mind is distracted or split with too much on our minds - too many other issues and ideas, we will always lose energy, feel tired and not catch on quickly to the instruction.

Drop everything! - mind, body, ego, everything, when you train. You will see how well you focus on what you are doing and you will feel how much energy you can muster up from within yourself.

If we practice in this way, we will learn to bring up this inner energy at any moment we desire and this is one result of good training.

It is not a matter of strong or weak, just practice single-mindedly.

2 Minute Technique - Makiotoshi Kokyunage

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Makiotoshi Kokyunage

Ken Watanabe Sensei focuses this video on Ryote-tori Makiotoshi Kokyunage. This technique doesn’t technically have a name. We tried to name it according to the movement. Maki (巻き) means “to wind” or “spiral” and otoshi (落とし) means “fall” or “drop.” This is not a basic technique as it requires a higher level of body control and timing. Let us know if you want us to do a full length video on this or any topic. 

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: http://www.aikidocenterla.com/aikido-videos

Remembering O’Sensei

“The Way of the Warrior has been misunderstood. It is not a means to kill and destroy others. Those who seek to compete and better one another are making a terrible mistake. To smash, injure, or destroy is the worst thing a human being can do. The real Way of a Warrior is to prevent such slaughter — it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.”  - Morihei Ueshiba

On this day in 1969, Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido passed away. Aikido can be difficult for some people to understand because of the dichotomy of being a martial art that doesn’t advocate violence. The reason for this was that O’Sensei came to realize shinmu fusatsu (真武不殺) or that“true budo does not kill.” O’Sensei was a religious person who began his religious studies when he was six years old. Throughout his life he studied various religions and spent a lot of time studying various budo arts and this pattern continued throughout his life. It is thought that through a series of events in the 1920s that O’Sensei achieved “enlightenment.” In the early 1920s, O’Sensei was confronted with mortality as his father passed away in 1919 and two of his sons, Kuniharu and Takemori died in 1920. He also had a near death experience in 1924 while accompanying his spiritual teacher to Mongolia where they both were arrested and set to die by firing squad but were saved by a last minute reprieve. After returning to Japan, O’Sensei spent a lot of time engaging in spiritual training and performing misogi or “spiritual purification.” In 1925, O’Sensei reached the pinnacle of his martial arts training and was challenged to a duel by a naval officer who was also a kendo master. O’Sensei easily defeated him because he felt that he could sense the direction in which the blows would fall before the officer’s wooden sword could strike him. After the duel, he lied down in the garden and experienced a serenity of body and spirit and felt a golden light pour over him and he felt reborn. I believe that as O’Sensei skirted the line between life and death, he realized the value of human life and from this attainment, modern Aikido was born. Aikido teaches us that the journey of our lives is not about the destruction of others, but the destruction of the self and we can thank O’Sensei for that. True budo is about the preservation of life.   

Today’s goal: Take a moment and remember O’Sensei and try to understand what it means to preserve life. 

Photo from the private collection of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles. O’Sensei is perhaps on the top of Hombu Dojo with Mount Fuji in the distance. 

Give to Get

知行合一
Chikougouitsu
Awareness only comes through practice 

In a dojo, everyone has to care. When I was a student in the 90s, our dojo was a very rough place where everyone trained hard. The unspoken method of problem solving was to just “beat it out of them.” If a student was too scared, strange, uncooperative or weak, we just beat it out of them. They either changed or left - problem solved. In the beginning, I was not very athletic and didn’t take verbal instruction very well and that made for some painful classes as the students “helped me” by beating it out of me. On my very second day, a black belt was assigned to teach me how to roll. At some point, he got frustrated and just proceeded to smash me for the rest of the hour instead. From that point on, I hated him and Furuya Sensei and pretty much everyone else in the dojo. I only stayed so that I could beat them at their own game. The problem with this attitude is that it can help a person excel but it can also create a monster. As Nietzsche said, “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.” Today, I do not subscribe to this culture and discourage others from engaging in it. The reason why I don’t condone this type of attitude is because I understand that the universe is reflective. Shakyamuni Buddha said, “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” We reflect upon the world that which we wish to be reflected back upon us or in other words we get out of it what we put into it. This is why in a dojo everyone has to care about what happens and take care in how they treat each other. If we want people to care about us and take care of us, we have to care about them. Caring is about awareness. We can’t care if we are not aware. Thus, training is really just teaching us how to become more aware so that we can care and manifest those things that we want out of life. In life and training, we get out of it what we put into it and this is why everyone in a dojo has to care.

Today’s goal: What is that you want? Give it to get it.