How’s Iriminage for you? Do you have struggles with it? Do you love it? Do you hate it?

In today’s video, I’m going to share a couple clips from a seminar I did back in 2018 with some of my sempai from Japan.

I mostly address the issue of entering properly and the footwork for...

Have you ever had a student who seemed to need clear instructions for every technique, so they never developed to the point of being able to make unique adjustments on their own to each unique moment or situation?

There are so many people who prefer or even seem to NEED to learn by verbal...

Do you find yourself trying to push down on your partner’s arm during Ikkyo? Or going up on your tiptoes to reach their arm? Either option doesn’t really serve you.

If you push down, they only get stronger. And if you go up on your tiptoes, you get weaker and less grounded.

In...

Have you ever told yourself that as a teacher, you shouldn’t have favorites? You shouldn’t favor one student over the other.

I’ve been teaching for about 40 years and I now believe that while we shouldn’t let ourselves give up on any student, it’s natural and we...

Do you ever use shoto for atemi in Iriminage?

When working with wakizashi, I find it really interesting to let the wakizashi swing upward, along uke’s centerline, rather than go straight to their face, like a jab.

And I find that if I teach my students this way, the atmosphere of the dojo...

Get a glimpse into the lives of real people in Ukraine in this powerful and moving live recorded conversation with five Ukrainian Aikido instructors.

After a brief introduction of each instructor, they each have a turn to answer the following questions:

1. How has the war impacted your life...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 class...