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 [...]

Anderson Silva decides to learn Aikido to get the edge in UFC 117. Steven Segal began studying Aikido in the Ki Society but since then has formed his own unique take on this art.  It is interesting to see how he has made it his own.  In that same spirit Anderson “The Spider” Silva sought [...]

Aikido in Law Enforcement Aikdio is so adaptable and so powerful.  Take a moment to look at this video of the United Nations Security and Safety Division taining in knife and gun disarms all using aikido.   OUS!

Be Like Water My apologies for not updating in so long but sometimes “Life happens” as they say.  To quickly recount, I am afraid that I missed Mustard Sensei’s las visit to Mississauga.  Hopefully Mills Sensei can lure him back here soon. When life gets busy look to your training.  Be like water.  Water is [...]

Yoshinkan In The Real World We spend hours in the dojo sweating and training.  We follow traditions and rituals and prescribed rituals.  Most of us will never have call to use the skills that we have learned.  Others…. Those that have read my about page will know that I am a paramedic in a major [...]

Just Enough Just enough.  A phrase I have heard repeated over and over again.  My instructor, Bindner Sensei repeats this constantly.  It seems to be the answer to many questions.  Mustard Sensei is also fond of this answer as well.  Inevitably whenever I ask how much I should move to take someone off balance or [...]

There Is No Spoon Do not try to bend the spoon — that’s impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth: there is no spoon. Only when you are able to stop thinking about what you are doing can you actually “do”.  Yoshinkan Aikido teaches you to react, not to think.  Once you are able [...]

Mustard Sensei Clinic Clear your calendars! Mustard Sensei returns to Sendokan Dojo in Mississauga  Friday April 30, Saturday May 01 and Sunday May 02. For those of you not familiar with Mustard Sensei – shame on you!  Robert Mustard is the embodiment of the spirit of Yoshinkan Aikido.  The moment Mustard Sensei enters onto the mats [...]

Eyes Wide Open For any and all readers I must apologize for the lack of new material.  I am sure that everyone has gone through a period of time when life gets a little hectic and something has to fade from the daily “to do” list.  At the risk of sacrificing training it was this [...]