We would like to bring to your attention that we offer the authoritative instructional work by Katsuyuki Kondo, Menkyo Kaiden, titled Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Hiden Mokuroku.

This is the first book in English to introduce the technical curriculum of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu as originally taught by Sokaku Takeda. It contains the 31 techniques of the ikkajo series of the Hiden Mokuroku, the first level of study in Daito-ryu.

You may also wish to consider our special discounted set consisting of Katsuyuki Kondo’s two outstanding instructional DVDs together with the Hiden Mokuroku book.

The Saturday June 6 Internal Energy Workshop featured several types of Internal Energy and their direct application to body movement. “Effortless” and “Immediate Results” were two of the parameters which defined the particular energy forms presented.
The energy forms were those which are innate to our being and whose function was “lost” as the person matured (mental focus); or forms that are already in use but for for another purpose (startle/survival response.) Linked to the startle/survival response was its use of the explosive power and pathways of a deep abdominal in-breath. This deep abdominal in-breath had power that is unique to itself and was compared to “normal” inhale and exhale techniques. The energy of both types of breathing were translated into practical application in movement training. The movement training was entirely “effortless” body movement without traditional muscle movement energy. The idea was the freedom and power of becoming a living, hollow, breath tube/vessel.

“In 1959 I visited a yoga school in Tokyo, the Kiyamizu temple of Kyoto and a Nichiren Buddhist monastry in Minobu, on the slopes of the Mt. Fuji”

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Together with the launch of our newest DVD title “Morihiro Saito: Lost Seminars, Part 6,” we are offering a set of all six DVDs of this series for the incredible price of $149.95, a full 35% off the retail price. This set of DVDs contains literally hundreds of techniques explained in detail and demonstrated by Morihiro Saito Sensei, 9th dan, one of aikido’s most renowned instructors.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Indulge me for a short while as we board together a time-machine to the golden years of aikido’s infancy in the USA in the mid-1960s. We see a totally different landscape when compared to the art of today. The name of Koichi Tohei is on everyone’s lips. He is now in his vigorous 40s, handsome, charming, and physically gifted. He is a fluent speaker of English, the author of best-selling books on the art. He is supremely confident, a wonderful teacher. He is the chief instructor of the World Headquarters Dojo, the Mecca of aikido, and he is the “ambassador of ki.” Yes, Koichi Tohei is the man every devotee wants to see in the flesh, the one whose techniques are to be emulated, the one who inspires. His interpretation of techniques represents “the” standard. His views on the principles of aikido and the “mysterious” concept of ki are unending topics of conversation. He is the motive power driving the spread of the art. Koichi Tohei IS aikido!

“Training on the mat is not realistic, and nor is it meant to be. It is important to understand the ins and outs of the mat to get the most out of your training.

In training, the tori attempts to perform a very specific technique. In essence, they are very restricted in what they can do to the uke’s attack. For this reason the attack must be very specific. It also must simulate a situation where the attacker is unaware of what the thrower will do. You would be surprised how exact an attack needs to be - changing a grip a few degrees can make a world of difference.”

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We are now offering the outstanding Aiki Ken and Jo DVD set by Morihiro Saito Shihan in a multilingual edition. When viewing the DVDs, you can choose to listen to Saito Sensei in the original Japanese or your preferred voiceover in English or French.

“John Rogers (Seán Mac Ruairí) is the senior instructor of the Irish Aikido Federation – Ireland Aikikai. He holds the rank of 6th dan awarded on the recommendation by the Aikikai Hombu dojo. On the occasion of Ireland Aikikai’s annual spring course, he granted me an interview and spoke of his involvement in Aikido and the history of Aikido in Ireland. This year, Kuribayashi shihan was the guest instructor of Ireland Aikikai on the occasion of its 30th annual spring course. 2007 also marks the 35th anniversary of Aikido practice in Ireland as well as the 20th anniversary of Rogers sensei’s establishment of a fulltime aikido dojo in Dublin. “

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The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Morihei’s attitude during worship in the Omoto shrine in the morning and evening was so sincere and devout that all who lived with him at that time were surprised. Worship continued for many hours with the name of each kami (deity) being called out respectfully and he continues this practice today. The main aim of his study was to explain to his satisfaction the many miracles revealed by the kami that he experienced. He prayed to the kami to grant his wishes. He desired to look into and be convinced of the validity of the kotodama he was taught by Reverend Onisaburo while at work, the holy method of chinkon-kishin and other practices he learned after coming to Omoto and introduce them into the world of martial arts.

We would like to bring to your attention the availability of a DVD by Shoji Nishio Sensei that features the long-awaited final videos of the outstanding instructional series he produced in the late 1990s. The fourth DVD of this series features Volumes 7, 8 and 9 that correspond to Katadori Menuchi, and Aikido Toho Iai, Parts 1 & 2.

“Aikido is non-competitive. That’s easy to say. The practice is not about defeating an opponent, but about both participants being victorious by finding a truly peaceful solution and growing as human beings in the process. That, too, is easy to say.

Still, there’s a lot of competing going on in aikido. Numerous aikido students hurry along the way in an effort to surpass their fellow trainees, in skills as well as grades, eager to take a teaching role when working with whatever partner, reluctant to learn as equals.”

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“In Japanese martial arts, the term atemi (当て身?) designates blows to the body, [1] as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use ‘soft’ power. Karate is a typical martial art focusing on percussive atemi. The location of nerve and pressure points, such as might be used for certain acupressure methods, also often informs the choice of targets for atemi (see kyusho-jitsu).

Some strikes against vital parts of the body can kill or incapacitate the opponent: on the solar plexus, at the temple, under the nose, in the eyes, genitals, or under the chin. Traditional Japanese martial arts (the ancestors of judo, jujutsu and aikido) do not commonly practice atemi, since they were supposed to be used on the battlefield against armoured opponents. However, there are certain exceptions.”

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