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…
1st Kyu
I was recently honored by the opportunity to test for 1st Kyu – in front of not only my teachers but by their teacher, Demko Sensei. This test was very different than any of the ones previously in that I had very little tension or anxiety! That was very strange for me. Maybe it had…
Making Shodan
I was very fortunate that at the seminar where I was recently promoted to Shodan, I got the chance to see one of my teachers having his shomenuchi ikkyo technique being corrected by his teacher’s teacher. He very respectfully knelt as he listened to the correction, accepted it in earnest, and then attempted to put…
Everything changed and nothing has changed.
One day in early February 1987, I climbed the stairs to the College Avenue gym at Rutgers University for my first class at the Rutgers University Aikido Club. I remember how excited I was to actually find an Aikido class and better yet, that it was on Rutgers campus, on only a short bus trip…
Road to Sandan
I was telling some friends about my upcoming Sandan test a few weeks ago and they asked me a question that I had never honestly thought about, “Why are you testing for Sandan? What do you get from it?” To really answer that question, I need to start from the beginning – discuss why I…
Growth mindset
As I just got back from Florida Aikikai’s Winter Camp, I wanted to reflect on a few things as they relate to what I feel is a major mission in aikido training. And that is growth. Growth in your practice, in your technique, your ukemi, your relationships on and off the mat, and growth in…
