Why I said Yes to Aikido
I was recently asked by Weiner Sensei why I said Yes to Aikido. For complete transparency, at time of writing I am only a few short weeks into my journey and simply learning the foundational skills that will build in the years to come. I met Sensei one weekend afternoon in 2022, we didn’t know…
Modern Day Otomo
Let’s discuss a Modern Day Otomo. In an Aikido dojo, you may hear different terminology identifying a certain student, instructor, or group of aikidoka. Such as Uchideshi, Sotodeshi, Kenshusei, Sempai, & Otomo. Otomo is a Japanese tradition among martial arts masters. It is very often confused with Uchideshi (private disciple) because it is often one…
Is Aikido a hobby?
One of the internal questions I ask myself weekly is how do I keep my students engaged in Aikido? First, it’s probably important to classify what Aikido is and what it means to people. Some may call it a hobby. Well by definition, Hobby means, “an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure.”…
Teacher versus Instructor.
Teacher versus Instructor. In Aikido, I feel both of these terms tend to be used interchangeably. I beg to differ. An active, serious aikido student — someone with 3+ years of consistent 3-4 X a week practice and seminar attendance (2-3X a year) — can achieve 2nd Kyu and maybe even 1st Kyu. Depending on…
There is Etiquette in everything we do – even the Seminar Group Photo.
There is Etiquette in everything we do – even the Seminar Group Photo. So the morning classes just ended, everyone is dehydrated, ready for lunch, Yudansha are about to start folding hakamas and the host dojo says, “Let’s all get in front of the kamiza for a group photo.” Now, this sounds like a simple…
Character & Attitude
I saw this graphic the other day and thought it was spot on. As an Aikido teacher, in addition to teaching the martial circulum I really try and help mentor my students in a lot of the intangible aspects to Aikido. Attitude, Character, & Etiquette. And this truly applies to our senior students that have…
The Aiki Fit class is a great idea.
The end of the pandemic seems to be on the horizon – which is a relief — but it also introduces a new concern: how much has our physical stamina diminished over the past year, and how long will it take for us to get back to where we were? The Aiki Fit class is…
Aikido & Masks
With everyone wearing masks these days in public, you may soon find yourself training in the dojo with a mask. It can totally be done, but should be undertaken with proper prior planning. Go slow. You will be training with less oxygen as a result of the mask, which will cause you to tire more quickly.…
COVID-19, Aikido and more!
COVID-19, Aikido and more!! Jonathan Weiner, Dojo Cho at Aikido of Charlotte chats with Reuven Lirov, Dojo Cho at Pinellas County Aikikai. Reuven: Right now the biggest thing on my mind is bouncing ideas about how dojos are getting through this whole COVID thing. And that’s the biggest thing right now because what I’m seeing…
3 words I love!
Aikido, Florida & Winter Camp…3 words I love! Jonathan Weiner, Dojo Cho at Aikido of Charlotte chats with Co-Chief Instructor of Florida Aikikai, Penny Bernath. Jonathan: This is exciting because I get to chat with a good friend of 20 years now in the Aikido world. Sensei Penny Bernath, who’s a 6th Dan, Shihan…
