It is difficult to imagine, prior to experiencing it, how one tiny, fragile life can determine so much of your future simply by existing. Children have no choice as to how, when, where, or from whom they are born and they come into this world with needs and wants that transcend these individual circumstances. No…
Author: Robert Van Valkenburgh
Co-Founder of Kogen Dojo of Severna Park and Taikyoku Mind & Body
Master One Thing To Master Oneself
“To know ten thousand things, know one well.” —Musashi Miyamoto, The Book of Five Rings It has been said many times and in many different ways that a person cannot serve two masters well. It is very difficult for our minds to hold two conflicting truths simultaneously. It is even harder still for our bodies…
This Is My Real Job
Sometimes, the needs of the business take priority over our personal interests. Some time ago, in my first year as a General Manager (GM) for a large coffee company, I was at a development meeting with my District Manager (DM) and we were discussing labor and scheduling. He observed that I had several part-time employees…
The Milk Is Already On The Table
Jiu-Jitsu White Belt: “Professor, what should I do if somene has me belly-down in back mount, hooks in, with my arms trapped under my chest, and they begin applying a rear-naked choke?” Professor Pedro Sauer: “Tap and start over. The milk is already on the table.” The above quote is my best recollection of an…
Taikyoku Aikido and Aikido of Pittsburgh
In the Spring of 2014, I attended my first aikido seminar. The seminar was hosted by Aikido of Pittsburgh and featured Ellis Amdur who would be teaching his unique framework for aikido which he called Taikyoku Aikido. Taikyoku Aikido is based on Amdur’s observation that all aikido techniques can be mapped along five movement shapes,…