Aikido World

The Art of Discussion

A truly good discussion is a true art form and takes great skill to accomplish. It takes a quality topic, two or more well educated (in the topic) individuals, a sense of mutual understanding and the acceptance of idea’s between the parties. An argument is not the failure of discussion, it is the passionate expression of discussion. Arguments are important as they show the strong feelings we have for a subject, which conveys more than words. However, too much passion can throw us into a blind rage where discussion stops, when this happens we are often only left with our most carnal instincts. We either fight back, expressing our views more passionately further escalating the situation or we simply walk away giving ourselves time to calm down. Sound familiar? When there is trouble our options are Fight or Flight. Amazingly these trends are incorporated into all of our responses to problems. Verbal, physical and even our mental battles. Verbal and Physical examples are obvious, we were all teens and we all went to high school, let’s not dredge up those old memories. An example of a mental battle we may run away from or fight would be the consideration of the death of an older or very young family member. These are discussions we often refuse to have within our own minds.

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“Fumio Toyoda Sensei, the head of the Aikido Association of America, is a burly man with a generous laugh. His aikido is quick and vigorous, and powerfully direct. Nearly every weekend he is on the road, criss-crossing his way around the United States to teach a seminar at one of AAA’s more than 120 dojos. At every stop, no matter what techniques he demonstrates, the 49-yr-old 6th dan emphasizes one point in particular — transmission of quality aikido. Over time, as they grow further away from their founder, martial arts have a tendency to fade. Fumio Toyoda believes that Ueshiba aikido is an art worth maintaining and improving.” Read the entire interview by Mark Binder at Aikido Journal #108 (1996)

courtesy of Aikido Journal

It was my distinct pleasure to attend two classes taught by Stephen Toyoda Sensei who is the President of the Aikido Association of America. He was a very excellent teacher who benefitted me with not only his expertise in Aikido but he was very approachable and willing to help and teach at whatever level was needed.

I was also very impressed with his ability to demonstrate through his verbal presentation how Aikido ties so directly to our individual daily lives. After each of the classes I came away with a new understand how Aikido already is a part of my thinking processes and how much more I can benefit from an even better understanding of the art of Aikido.
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Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the Aikido Kaiso (founder), diligently studied many of the classical Japanese martial arts, notably various styles of Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, Sojutsu and Jojutsu, which he modified and combined to form his martial art of Aikido.  While a relatively young form of Japanese budo, Aikido’s techniques and teaching are in accordance with the martial knowledge that has been handed down for centuries in Japan.  Many of the ryu or schools of martial arts in Japan, old or young, began in just this way: the mastery of timeless principles by a gifted individual, and the creation of a new approach.

In light of this, Aikido instructors must of course do their utmost to pass on to their students the technique and martial integrity of the art.  Aikido is martial, and as such we must always preserve the pragmatism and martial spirit it embodies.  As instructors, however, we have a further responsibility: to preserve the spirit of shugyo.

Shugyo denotes intense physical and internal to perfect our character and realize our true nature.  Through shugyo we hope to improve ourselves as human beings, and thus improve society and the world.  It is this aim of the training that makes Aikido a martial way, and not merely a method of throwing an opponent.  O-Sensei left us many techniques and methods of training, but he also spoke at great length about the spirit of compassion, of true humanity and a desire for betterment, that must form the heart of our training.

As instructors, we must strive diligently to train in the true spirit of shugyo.  In this way, Aikido will continue to be transmitted, and we may be worthy representative of our art.

What Aikido & Shugyo Are To Me

In my life, Aikido has become a great (or perhaps, the most important) instrument in my journey to enlightenment. It serves as a roadmap to assessing whether the things I value in life are good and right. I believe that O Sensei’s description of Aikido as the “Art of Peace” is wholly accurate, because corrects any misconceptions of how we perceive other people and living things around us, by teaching us that we are part of the same universal family. It teaches the devoted students that the real enemy that we should overcome, lies within— the enemy of our desire to be right in all situations, our negative perceptions of people, the contention that follows such perceptions, etc. By applying the first lesson in Aikido (i.e. – to observe), we can analyze our behaviors and mental processes to see how deeply this enemy has infiltrated our lives. Then, through continuous and rigorous training, we can work toward ridding ourselves of this enemy. (more…)

“Uchideshi Training”

When something needs doing, don’t wait to be told.
You’ll miss out on developing the quality of initiative.

When told to do something, don’t ask how.
You’ll miss the discovery of the process.

Once you’ve taken the initiative,
And experienced the discovery of the process,
Don’t forget to look for guidance,
If things aren’t going as planned.

Remember, as an Uchideshi
You’re never right, it’s always your fault,
And in the final analysis, “Where is your intensity?”

-Susan
Ni-Kyu, A.A.A.
03/28/1993

According to our Association promotion test requirements students are required to be familiar with meiso ho(seated meditation practice) and kokyu ho (breathing exercises). Recently, a student testing for the rank of Nikyu was asked to describe these practices, and to say how they are important for budo training. He gave a very eloquent answer, which was accepted. After the test, he was privately asked if he actually did practice meditation and breathing. “I tried once,” he replied, “but they didn’t do much for me. What good are they anyway?”

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