I’m not sure why, but I always get to missing my dad around the holidays. Maybe it is because he tried so hard to make sure that they were special for the family, and always succeeded. My father passed away in 1991. I remember I made a point of visiting Read more
I was watching a video on Olympic lifting (I still love metal. Don’t tell anybody!) and I heard this great quote: “I haven’t taught until they have learned!” That one is a keeper.
Hello faithful True Aiki readers. As I have been teaching this summer’s seminars it became clear to me that I have not been clear about the progression of Aiki development. I shall try to rectify that now: When one begins Shirata Sensei’s empty-handed Tandokudosa, it is assumed that one is Read more
Once again I find myself giving a long-winded answer to a short and practical question. I am reposting my answer here in the hope that it might benefit others. Hi Steven, Feeling like one seems to stand when shifting mass-forward slightly is normal. It normally happens for one of two Read more
I received a question a while back and answered it today. I hope that my answer might help others. So, I am posting it here. Hi Mark, I think using imagination develops one’s imagination. Imagination is certainly important, but it isn’t what I am talking about here. When I say Read more
Last time I introduced TDD #13 in the context of holding a bokken. While they are the same empty handed or holding onto a bokken (or something else.) I find that holding on to a bokken, jo, bo, Yari, Naginata, etc. is helpful in the sense that it “extends” the Read more
We shot this video in preparation for beginning to introduce Shirata sensei’s Aiki Ken or Sho Chiku Bai Kenpo. As we were shooting I realized that we were covering the contents of TDD #13 as well. So I decided to cut that bit off and let it stand alone. I’m Read more
In a comment relating to my last blog Gary wrote: Allen As parts of a whole we as individual parts have self-awareness….at what point does that self-awareness create the illusion of separation? When does individuality separate mind from body and self from the universe? Gary · March 25, 2020 at Read more
Last week I worked twelve hour days all week. By Friday I had a migraine and felt hot when I got to bed. So … no time for blogging or video. Also, Friday I had to take my computer in to have the hard drive replaced. Normally I’d do this Read more
Good Day, I recently ran across an informative and entertaining article on Tensegrity and I thought you might enjoy it while you are waiting for my next blog post (which I am working on presently.) Here you go: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a31932446/string-table/ I hope you enjoy it. See you next time! ~ Allen