“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...

The above picture comes from Scott Carlton’s recent 5th kyu test—the first demonstration a person gives to establish their rank as a...

One Tuesday evening in August, 1992, I left work after a 12-hour shift, climbed onto my motorcycle, and headed for the dojo. My 4th...

I downloaded the dating app, entered a punchy profile, and uploaded some pictures. My index finger hovered over the submit button. I...

“Don’t change the kata,” Sensei Mark reminds the class. We stand in pairs down the mat, like characters in a Jane Austen novel about to...

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

I’ve always thought of myself as the kind of person who treats everyone with dignity and respect. In the short 21 months that I’ve been...

Finally: the answer to the conundrum which has bebuggered our dojo and its instructors—maybe all dojos and instructors—since the dawn of...

My shaky signature on the little sign-in card betrayed the fact that I was choking back some fear. This was Day One of my aikido...

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

For almost 15 years, Durango Shin-Budo Kai has been a community resource for boosting mind-body unification, refining the spirit, and...

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

“Is there nothing that stops you?” This friendly question came from a fellow classmate as we both arrived to the dojo for class. His...

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

Shizuo Imaizumi Shihan Sensei. Formerly of Aikiki and Ki no Kenkyukai, Imaizumi Sensei established Shin Budo Kai on October 1, 1988. He...

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 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...

I could have gone blind the light was so bright. It blazed so abruptly. I didn’t have time to take cover and shield my eyes. This...