Have you ever been frustrated (or maybe even insulted) with how your students treat you? Do you think they’re not very respectful?

First of all, you’re not alone. A lot of instructors feel this way.

Secondly, you’re not going to like what I have to say on this topic. I’ll use the words of one o...

Do you ever use wakizashi or other shoto as a kind of "pointer"?

In today's video, I'm share a couple clips from a seminar I taught back in 2017. In these clips, I use wakizashi more like a "pointer" of sorts to show students where their focus is directed or to remind them of where their focus a...

So many dojo-cho are talking about how to attract more young people to their dojo - people in their 20’s and 30’s. Some people say we have to show the martial effectiveness of Aikido. Others say we have to cross train and use elements of other martial arts in our classes.

Well, right now the ave...

Do you ever use wakizashi or other shoto in your training?

I really like using wakizashi in my training. It provides a helpful reminder to not push or pull our partner.

And sutemi waza is a lot of fun, provided that the participants have the skill to safely take the ukemi. [Careful!]

Have you ever overwhelmed a new student by giving them 5 or 6 corrections all at once?

Of course, if you’re an experienced Aikido-ka, you can instantly see 10 or 15 things that a new person needs to correct at their first class. But over time and with experience, we learn to give students one su...

Do you ever use wakizashi or other shoto in your study of Ikkyo? I sometimes like to study Ikkyo by comparing sitting, standing, empty-hand, and wakizashi.

Using Wakizashi is super interesting and helps keep you from pushing on your partner.

Here's a video with a couple clips from a recent clas...

Have you ever had a teacher who always told you what NOT to do and what you were doing WRONG, but never seemed to acknowledge the things you were doing right?

And have you ever had a teacher who actually did acknowledge the things you were doing right?

I would be willing to bet that you learned...

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Is there any technique with more variations than Irimi nage? I don’t think so. Diff...

Do you sometimes feel that you’re executing a technique correctly, but it’s still not effective? Do you have an understanding of the three fundamental body positions in Budo?

Understanding and using the three fundamental body positions correctly can increase the effectiveness of your technique.

F...

Do you ever experience lower back pain after training? Or knee or ankle pain? Or you don’t feel stable and grounded when you’re executing certain techniques?

Of course there are many possible reasons for this but one possible reason could be how you’re turning.

For example when you pivot in pla...

Have you ever had trouble throwing your partner because you weren’t able to draw them in enough?

 Of course you don’t want to be overtaken by your partner, but in order for you to have some influence on their position, you need to bring them into your center to some degree.

In this video I sha...