Throwback Thursday - For Others

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

We feel much better inside when we do something for others - more than when we do something just for ourselves. This is undeniable proof that we all have good hearts - never forget this feeling and continue to refine it in your Aikido practice. Although most people have good hearts, few people know how to realize this outside of themselves and channel it towards others. This is what Aikido teaches us to do in its practice.

We think of Aikido as doing something for ourselves, but, in reality, we are doing something for the other person. Aikido is NOT self-protection - it is saving the lives of others. 

We think we want to protect ourselves, but what is “self?" It is insubstantial and does not really exist according to the old masters. I guess it depends on how we understand the concept of "human being." As just one person, yourself, or everyone on this planet?

Even though we may understand the truth of things, it makes no difference - we are still focused on "me, me, me!" Perhaps this is the destiny of man and this is why we will always be at war with others. We know that in Aikido, our ki is stronger when it is joined with others - but we only understand this at an intellectual level and does not yet filter down into our "real" lives.

Some do Aikido as a sport. For them, life is a sport, everything is a sport, everything is here for their own pleasure. We call this ukiyo or “The floating, transient world which glides by like a cloud.”

If we only think of Aikido as power and winning over others, then Aikido is just like any other martial art or fighting discipline. To think that we understand the "true" meaning of Peace, only means that we are not training correctly. We all need more practice, more study, more refinement of character!

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Shomenuchi Ura

The Aiki Dojo 2 Minute Technique - Shomenuchi Ura

Ken Watanabe Sensei, Aikido 6th Dan, Iaido 5th Dan discusses shomenuchi  ura (正面打ち裏) or “moving behind when someone strikes you.” Shomenuchi is an overhead or straight strike to the head or face. Shomenuchi is based on the overhead cut of a sword. Thus, one cannot retreat or move away from the strike or attempt to block it. Aikidoists move forward into the strike and we call this irimi. One can move in front of the attacker or “omote” but also behind them or “ura.” In this video, we are covering ura or “Moving behind or to the rear of the attacker.” 

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

Effectiveness

効果抜群
Koukabatsugun
Exceptionally effective

Is Aikido effective as a martial art? Effectiveness is defined as “Being capable of producing a desired result.” Thus, based on the definition, Aikido is effective. This is probably the most asked question when someone calls my dojo. It seems that despite my response, most callers are still skeptical. What most probably want to know is if Aikido can be a valid form of self-defense. The answer is still yes. Look at it from the standpoint of a gun. A gun is considered a deadly weapon. However, on average, a trained police officer is only about 30-50% accurate in a gunfight. If I told you that Aikido can be lethal, which it can be, but only 30% of the time then you’d probably laugh at its ineffectiveness. However, like a gun, Aikido’s effectiveness increases with training and is based upon the individual. Furuya Sensei used to tell us that a martial artist, regardless of style, can expect a 40% drop in technical ability if they were to get into a street fight and that is why he wanted us to train as close to 100% as possible. But, 40%!? What if we only trained at 60-80% and then lose 40% of that? The martial arts aren’t the most effective weapon in battle. Joseph Stalin said, “Artillery is the god of war.” What he was referring to was that in combat range is the king. In terms of warfare, the hierarchy of arms is supposed to be: fist, knife, sword, spear, bow, gun, artillery and nuclear bomb. The farther you are away so as to not sustain damage while still being able to harm your opponent is supposed to be the best. Thinking about Sensei’s assertion, this hierarchy and that range is king, then one might make a case that the martial arts are obsolete and, on a certain level, they wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. However, in terms of self development, there is no better way to develop a human being than with martial arts training. Martial training builds our character and strengthens our bodies and teaches us things like self-discipline, perseverance, and dedication. However, when we think about effectiveness, most don’t realize that there are many different levels of effectiveness. At every level of training, effectiveness means something different. For example, when we are young or just starting our journey, effectiveness means being able to win a fist fight. When we get older, effectiveness might mean being able to control one’s temper and have self control. So the long story short is that if effectiveness means being able to bring about the desired result then it depends on what we want that result to be. If we just want to fight then Aikido can be effective but Aikido and life can be so much more than just mere violence. Aikido can be effective in helping us become better people on so many different levels and thus Aikido is an effective martial art. 

Today’s goal: Want to change your life? Start taking a martial art. 

For more on the effectiveness of Aikido, watch the Aiki Dojo Podcast: 

Be Vulnerable

敵を知り己を知れば百戦危うからず
Teki wo shiriono wo shireba hyakusen ayaukarazu
Know your enemy, know thyself, and you shall not fear a hundred battles 
- Japanese proverb

The best warriors show that they are vulnerable. In the old days of budo, it was a sign of weakness to share personal issues. Most would just quietly and stoically gaman (我慢) or “persevere” through it. Recently, Naomi Osaka, the world’s number 2 ranked women’s tennis player, pulled out of the French Open citing self-care. Osaka discussed her anxieties about public speaking and said, “I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious so I thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences.” The WTA’s steadfast position forced Osaka to pull out of the tournament. My first thought when I heard the news was, “Wow so powerful.” It reminded me of Brené Brown’s mantra for authenticity, “Don't Shrink, Don't Puff Up, Stand Your Sacred Ground.” Osaka was forthcoming with her struggles and chose self-care over money, making others happy or toeing the line. Most would never share their personal struggles let alone mental health issues. Osaka chose to be vulnerable and thus showed her true power. In swordsmanship, the highest expression of attainment is when a warrior adopts an “open” stance. To open one’s stance is akin to dropping one’s guard and by doing so it creates a suki (隙) or “opening” which invites an opponent to attack. Beginners create openings by accident while experts do it on purpose. In Japanese to let one’s guard down is referred to as “ki wo yurusu” (氣を許す). Yurusu means to “permit” or “consent.” Thus, we purposefully open ourselves up and allow the opponent to see our opening in hopes that they will mistaken it for weakness. True warriors are great not because they are impervious or indestructible. The best warriors know who they are and what they are capable of doing but knowledge becomes true power when we are willing to not only show our strengths but our weaknesses too. Brené Brown also said, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage.” Most think that opening ourselves up shows weakness. On the contrary, being vulnerable shows our true inner strength and it actually shows how strong we really are.

Today’s goal: Please do whatever it takes to take care of yourself no matter what anyone says.

Throwback Thursday - Form

Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on April 24, 2004I think one of the big misinterpretations in the martial arts is this term "form." We often hear - "formless" or "break the form" as a way to transcend one's self in the art. However, where we misstep is that to be "formless" or to "break the form” never once means to abandon the form. We never ignore form nor disregard it - "formless" means master even the farthest and highest boundaries of the form.

When we view a great masterpiece of art - it may seem like it is totally new and innovative - but upon closer inspection we will see that it also conforms to all aspects of artistic form only at a new and heightened level of the art.

This certainly has nothing to do with mundane and trivial ideas of “best" and "better." These are concepts of the “political" world, not the artistic or spiritual world. It refers to something, not really "beyond" form, but form in a new, fresh, heightened and enlightened light.

From this, I think we can begin to grasp the saying: “Matsukaze Kokin Nashi” or “The gentle breeze through the pine trees has no sense of past or present (it is eternal).”

Please do not forget this in your training. . .

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.