The attacker lunged for Lisa. She deftly shifted back a few inches out of reach. She gripped his hand. She made a graceful pivot....

We are living in a time of great change. Change comes with uncertainty. For many people, uncertainty creates anxiety. We can’t eliminate...

In my last post I discussed two Japanese words–awase and musubi— are slightly different concepts of connecting with a partner’s energy. I...

Aikido is a Japanese martial art. Although it is practiced around the world, its cultural context is important. From the uniform to the...

Since the day I started training in aikido 2 1/2 years ago, I have admired everyone in a hakama and wondered what it would be like to...

“It’s like we’re psychic,” Holly marvels. “How did you know what I was thinking?” I ask. We repeat the experiment. She shuts her eyes. I...

To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace. – Morihei Ueshiba A...

I didn’t know it would feel like this. It’s been two years now that I’ve been practicing aikido, and while there have been ups and downs,...

In my early years of aikido, connection was not emphasized. I first conceived of connection as something to break away from. Someone...

What is ki? It is one of the first questions that beginners ask. The best answer I know is “Keep practicing and find out.” But that comes...

I suspect that most people who practice a martial art have been asked a similar question. “Have you ever had to use tae kwon...

Every art, trade, science, and study has its jargon. Aikido is no different. Jargon can be a barrier to learning, but it develops for a...

Meeting someone who has a high level of mastery is much like seeing a giant sequoia. How do they know so much? How does a martial artist...

A koan is an insoluble puzzle that gives deeper and deeper insights but is never resolved. Koan #4 byAlex Pishtar Recently Mark Sensei...

I thought weight underside would be one of the easier principles to discuss, but it is both obvious and counter-intuitive. I have begun...

Our dojo recently enjoyed a spectacular, technically spot-on nikyu test—nikyu meaning 2nd rank below black belt shodan. No matter what...

Which Way Is Down? I’ve always been a bit clumsy. From bumping into walls to drawing surprised glances when I dance in public, I have...

I’ve been thinking more about the principle of relaxing completely.  It is inextricable from the other key principles, but it is one of...

I never expected to fall in love again. For several months, my wife Adele had been taking tai chi at the community college. After class,...

Martial arts require practicing new ways of moving, thinking, and interacting with others. Aikido relies on several key principles that...