For positive outcomes of mutual benefit, we must begin by being who and what others need us to be. Years ago, when I began digging into Japanese martial art history and philosophy, I sent an email to an author of several books on the subject, Ellis Amdur. Not only did he respond kindly and honestly … Continue reading Becoming What Others Need (Kiaijutsu)
A friend of mine used to be a bouncer at a pub. One day, the pub owner called him into his office and said, “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to let you go.” My friend said, “I don’t understand. I win every fight that I get into.” The pub owner replied, “That’s the … Continue reading To Fight Or To Make Peace
As an aikido practitioner who wants to cross-train in more resistance-based arts, it is best to approach them using lower case ‘a’ aikido, which is a set of principles, than capital ‘A’ Aikido(TM), which is a set of techniques. One of the greatest hindrances to aikido practitioners cross-training in other, more competitive arts is the … Continue reading Cross-Training for Aikido Pt 3: Principles Over Techniques
Does your jujutsu (jiu-jitsu) propagate violence or transcend it? The Japanese word jujutsu (柔術) is often thought to translate as ‘gentle art.’ Gentle implies a lack of force or lack of strength. Anyone who has ever done any form of jujutsu knows that there is nothing gentle about being thrown, pinned, joint-locked, or choked. In … Continue reading A Willow in a Snowstorm (Jujutsu and the Transcendence of Violence)
If you see every problem that arises as new and unique, you will always be reactive and to be reactive is to be behind. In combat, to be behind is to fail and to fail is to die. It is highly likely that the problems and challenges we face from day to day are going … Continue reading Systems to Live By
