Aikido may be thought of in terms of the “Four F’s”: Frame; Focus; Flow; FallingFrame is stance (“kamae”). An upright posture (“shisei”) without tension, with vital energy readyto extend, the body is prepared for action.Focus is paying attention…
Aristotle stated many centuries ago that excellence is as art won by training and habituation; wedo not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have these because wehave acted rightly.
In AIKIDO: THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION Teja Bell and other contributors describe thelife and teachings of Robert Nadeau. Nadeau Sensei was one of the few foreigners to train inJapan while O-Sensei was still alive. At the time, other…
Makoto Ohtsu (7 th Dan), Aikido Showa Dojo Nagoya, Japan The following continues Otsu Sensei’s presentation. He brings the perspective of a long timeAikido student and teacher. He is also a retired professor of Business Studies who taught…
Makoto Ohtsu (7 th Dan), Aikido Showa Dojo Nagoya, Japan Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art based on the spiritual foundation of harmony, love andpeace. Its objective is to defend oneself when attacked, without harming the attacker.…
Shinto and Its Derivatives Shinto, which literally means “the Way of the gods”, is the indigenous folk religion of Japan,reflecting animistic and shamanistic views of life that had long existed there. It is generallybelieved that ancient Shinto started…
I am honoured that an esteemed guest has graciously allowed me to reproduce the fine essay thatfollows.Makoto Ohtsu (7 th Dan), is a veteran Aikidoka and Chief Instructor at Aikido Showa Dojo inNagoya, Japan. Ohtsu Sensei is also…
Aikido and Master Morihei Ueshiba Aikido was created some 80 years ago by Master Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), usually called “Kaiso” (the Founder). He created Aikido after many years of physical training in the Japanese classical martial arts of…
This year will mark my seventy-fifth birthday and fifty years of Aikido training. Aikido has been a major factor in my life since I was a young adult, and I can hardly imagine this life without it. The…
It is with great sadness that I reflect on the passing of Nakamura Yumi Shihan. She was a friend and a role model for Aikidoka. Her contributions to Aikido in Canada were enormous. I, along with her students…