SIMPLE COMPLEXITY Life can be get so busy. I am sure I am “preaching to the choir” in this respect. For those who have taken time out read this blog I want to first say thank-you and secondly say that I am sorry that I have been so lax in writing. My intent was for [...]

Aikido Network Hosts Jacques Payet Shihan In celebration of a common passion for Yoshinkan Aikido, the Aikido Network in London, Ontario, Canada is pleased to announce that Jacques Payet Shihan is confirmed and visiting exclusively, Feb 24th-26th. We are honoured to host Payet Shihan during his visit from Japan. Payet Shihan, 7th Dan Yoshinkan, is the [...]

Aikido for Self Defense Aikido was rooted in self defense and Yoshinkan Aikido has remained true to its heritage.  Most of us train and study Yoshinkan Aikido not for self defense but for the many other aspects Aikido offers.  However, if one is to study Aikdio, and particularly Yoshinkan Aikido, one must delve into “self [...]

Atemi in Aikido In Japanese martial arts, the term atemi (当て身, atemi?) designates blows to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use ‘soft’ power. Karate is a [...]

….. kamae!   Allways be in kamae.  ALLWAYS!

Aikido vs Karate

Control The First Move Shodo means “first move” and seisu means “to control”. Therefore, shodo-o-seisu literally means “to control the first move”. However, shodo-o-seisu is easily misunderstood; it has a deeper meaning than simply overpowering one’s opponent with speed or technique. The true meaning of shodo-o-seisu is to keep calm, to be ready with the [...]

The Somatic Self The body can be considered to be a form of ongoing communication, a shaping of and container/containment of all of the messages (chemical, electrical, nutritional, verbal, etc) that we receive and transmit in the course of our lives. When considered as such, we can understand that the overall health, shape, size, proportions, [...]

REMINDERS FOR TRAINING FROM O’SENSEI  Aikido decides life and death in a single strike, so students must carefully follow the instructor’s teaching and not compete to see who is the strongest. Aikido is the way that teaches how one can deal with several enemies. Students must train themselves to be alert not just to the [...]