#principles

Apr 18, 20236 min

A Finger Pointing at the Moon

My ski companion decided to take a break and have a beer. I left her sitting outside in the snow on a lawn chair in the broad area at the...

Jun 17, 20216 min

Shadow Boxing

I felt dismayed. In the midst of preparing for my first aikido test—consisting of 10 techniques—I made the mistake of asking one of the...

Dec 30, 20193 min

Bound to Connect: Musubi Part 1

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

Nov 19, 20196 min

Falling For It, Redux

I dreamed that I stood on the ledge of a tall building, 40 floors up. I stepped casually off the ledge and fell, remaining upright, hands...

Nov 8, 20183 min

Ai’s Wide Shut

“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...

Jan 21, 20182 min

Exploring the Principles: Keep One Point

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...

Sep 5, 20173 min

Exploring the Principles: Relax Completely Part 2

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

Aug 8, 20172 min

Exploring the Principles: Relax Completely

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

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