Posts directly relating to Aiki
A classic example of Daito Ryu and/or Aikido disrupting dynamic equilibrium is the often-seen demonstration of Gozo Shioda bouncing back a significantly larger uke that has come to give him a powerful shove. This “throw” can be explained using the example of the “castle stairs” trap. When constructing a castle, it was sometimes the practice Read more…
Humans are normally in a state of “dynamic equilibrium” as opposed to a state of “static balance.” This means that we are in a constant state of flux between equilibrium and dis-equilibrium, with the net result being “dynamic equilibrium.” When we fail to “keep our balance” it is usually Read more…
A while back one of our avid True Aiki readers (a professor of engineering, former championship fencer, Aikido sensei and regular True Aiki seminar attendee) wrote a response to one of my posts. This post is my belated reply. Fred is a non-native speaker/writer of English, so any errors on Read more…
Thanks to our quick and creative Web Master, and the timely support of the TrueAiki.com supporters listed below, the site is safe for now, and will be for some time to come. If you enjoy reading TrueAiki.com, please join me in thanking the following PayPal contributors for demonstrating their appreciation Read more…
If you value TrueAiki.com please READ THIS! Did you notice that TrueAiki.com went down for bit? That is because we ran out of storage space. The web master worked his magic and got rid of enough that we could go back online. But we are just megabytes from having it Read more…
Below you will find another question from a long time True Aiki reader (and seminar participant) and my answer. Again, I am posting it here for the enjoyment of other True Aiki readers. frederic veer · May 15, 2021 at 11:50 am Hi Allen, good video to study and I think Read more…
A statement made in my last blog post raised a question, and I think the answer might provide clarity for other True Aiki readers: Patrick De Block · May 13, 2021 at 8:19 am “I don’t equate “internal power” with “Aiki.” To my mind they are two separate things that Read more…
Happy New Year Everyone! Japanese often bring in the New Year by setting up 門松 Kadomatsu at the front of their homes. Kadomatsu literally means “gate pine.” What does this have to do with 松竹梅刀法 Sho Chiku Bai Ken Po? Quite a lot really! Kadomatsu are usually comprised of 松 pine, as Read more…
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…
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…