Do you do any centering or grounding exercises at your dojo? Do you—or your students—ever feel the need to be more centered, more grounded?
Today’s video comes from last year’s 5-Day Summer Camp here in Los Angeles. You’ll be watching footage from the Friday morning class—which is usually one of the toughest. By that point, people are already pretty worn out from the first two days.
So I started the class with kokyu ho. My idea was that it would subtly reassure everyone that they could get through the class—even if they were feeling hesitant or anxious.
From there, I built on kokyu ho and guided them through some simple grounding and centering techniques. Most of the work was done on our knees—and luckily, most folks had healthy knees that morning!
I hope today’s video gives you some insight, inspiration, and motivation to help you make the most of your training—and take your Aikido to the next level.
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Let’s dive in. And be sure to stick around until the end for a special announcement.
🎥 WATCH: Kokyu Ho / Hanmi Handachi for Centering & Grounding
💬 Question for You:
Let me know in the comments:
- Do you feel more centered or grounded in your practice lately?
- And if you’re an instructor, what kinds of centering or grounding exercises do you use with your students?
Lia Suzuki
Author
• The Teacher
• Mastering The Shoto
Director: Aikido Kenkyukai International USA
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🗓 Upcoming Seminars
2025
- July 30 - August 3 (Registration now open!)
Aikido Kenkyukai Los Angeles Summer Camp
Senseis Lia Suzuki and Matt Bridi
Los Angeles, California, USA - September 12-14
Ima Juku Aikido
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Baarn, Netherlands - September 16
Aikido-Shinboku-Verein
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Düsseldorf, Germany - September 17-21
Bewegung & Lebenskunst Bonn
Lia Suzuki Sensei
- - September 17-18: Yudansha Seminar
- - September 19-21: Mixed Levels Seminar
Bonn, Germany - September 22-23
PSV Heidelberg Aikido Sansuikai Dojo
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Heidelberg, Germany - October 10-12
Aikido & Healing Arts Center of Roseville
Senseis Michael Friedl, Craig Fife, and Lia Suzuki
Roseville, CA, USA - November 14-16
Denver Aikikai
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Denver, CO, USA
2026
- March 27-29
Cherry Blossom Seminar in Kumamoto, Japan
Senseis Sakabe, Johansson, Lin, and Suzuki
Kumamoto, Japan - July 3-5
Aikido Aishinkan Latvia
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Riga, Latvia - October 2-4
Mountain West Aikido - Livingston
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Livingston, CO, USA
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