As part of our Aikido training we talk about the concept of Ki. Aikido is translated roughly as “the way of harmonising with Ki” So we what exactly is that? Ki is not a commonly talked about concept within our culture and in general it is not something easy to explain or understand. Tohei Sensei … Continue reading Corroboration From Other Traditions
Can Aikido training give you more energy?There are a few ways in which this is the case:As a cardio vascular exercise, Aikido can help us develop our fitness.The more frequently and longer that we train the more this can be the case.Become more fit gives us a sense of having more energy as we develop … Continue reading Can Aikido Training Give You More ENERGY
There are a number of ways to classify different martial arts. Some people separate martial arts into “internal” martial arts and “external” martial arts. External martial martial arts work more on developing the skills that seem obvious for fighting and self defence: punching, kicking, wrestling, grappling. The conditioning of the body within these arts is … Continue reading Aikido And Internal Martial Arts
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com As part of my efforts with growing the club I like to write these emails which I also post on our Facebook page.They are also good for me as it challenges me to think and learn about Aikido.I have shared some of these posts on a large Facebook Forum called, … Continue reading Some People Are Sensei-tive
I’d heard of the idea that some particularly dedicated students would perform 1000 bokken cuts in a row as part of their training in Aikido or other weapons related arts. The bokken is the wooden version of the sword used for training. Sensei Tony Sargeant told me that Sensei Coyle, a well known Aikido teacher … Continue reading 1000 Cuts
Here is a great story from Sensei Henry Ellis (one of the very earliest students of Aikido in the UK). Please break my finger As a direct student of Abbe Sensei I asked one day whilst we were traveling to a seminar "Sensei, how did you first become a student of O'Sensei and Aikido"? He … Continue reading “Please Break My Finger”
I have not visited many Aikido clubs outside of our organisation in Glasgow. That is not from a lack of interest or desire to, but it often has been difficult to arrange such events while travelling. I was delighted to recently be invited to the Aikido Assoication Of Atlanta to attend one of their evening … Continue reading Report From Visit To Aikido Association Of Atlanta
Some Aikido teachers developed the reputation of being cruel and vicious. This seems so unusual as the general idea many people have of Aikido is of an art of peace. Shouldn’t it create a peaceful temperament in the practitioners? Some people translate O Sensei’s philosophy as the true aim of budo (the Japanese term for … Continue reading Bad Boys Of Aikido
I visited an Aikido class recently to train with another teacher.I noticed that he had set up the class in a different way to the environment he had been trained in.He had taken out some of the ettiquette which is quite universal across Aikido classes and was looking to train and teach in a different … Continue reading Martial Arts “Cults”
When you post an Aikido video on the internet you are bound to get these types of comments: “This is unrealistic” “This would not work in a real fight” “Dancing!” etc etc To be honest, you are likely to get some negative comments from other Aikido practitioners also! People love to have an opinion...even on … Continue reading Aikido Is Unrealistic?
Aikido For Glasgow 