What is unshakable in your aikido practice?
In my meditation practice, I have been thinking alot about the Japanese term “fudoshin” 不動心, translated as “unshakable mind.” It is a term derived from the japanese god named Fudomyo,不動明王, literally “immovable wisdom lord”who was a fierce warrior bearing a sword for cutting through ignorance. The concept of fudoshin in meditation is to observe what is “unshakable” in...Continue reading→
10 ways to promote racial equity in your dojo
1. Collect Data: Determine the race demographics of your dojo or organization, and what the ratios of ranks, instructors, and seminars being taught are. Ask questions, like "why there are so few Black people in Aikido?" "what barriers or challenges do they face?" (Get free help from Dojo Show) 2. Put Out a Welcome Mat:...Continue reading→
News from the mat September 2019
“You can never know what you are fully made of until you start to do the things that fear you the most.” ― Edmond Mbiaka Upcoming Events Aug. 31 to Sept. 2: Dojo closed for Holiday Weekend Sept. 5: Kids Classes start Sept. 7: 10 am: First Saturday Theme Class 11 am: Dojo Cleaning Party...Continue reading→
News from the mat winter 2019
“Balance is a feeling derived from being whole and complete; it’s a sense of harmony. It is essential to maintaining quality in life.” — Joshua Osenga Upcoming Events Nov. 11, 9am-3pm: Veteran’s Day Kids Samurai Challenge Camp. No 5pm Kids class. Nov. 28: Closed for Thanksgiving Dec. 7: 9:30am: Kids Belt Tests 5pm: Annual Party...Continue reading→
Beware the Ides of March! Tanto takeaway class
Ides of March Class March 14 at 10am The Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. Caesar was stabbed to death in the back at a meeting of the Senate which made the Ides of March a turning point in Roman history. Come practice...Continue reading→
Ikigai: Your reason for being
What gets you out of bed in the morning? According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai. To find it often requires deep inquiry and lengthy “search of self” — a search which is highly regarded. The term “ikigai” is composed of two Japanese words: “iki,” referring to life, and “kai,” which roughly means “the...Continue reading→
10 things you can do to support women in Aikido
1. Collect Data Gather date on the gender makeup of your dojo. What are the rank proportions, number of instructors, and seminars taught by gender? Ask questions. Do you know why certain genders start Aikido? Why and when they quit? Create a survey. (Get free help from Dojo Show) 2. Put Out a Welcome Mat...Continue reading→
“Try again next time”
Malory Graham ‘Try again next time.’ What? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Try again next time? I had just failed my fifth-kyu test. Who fails their fifth-kyu grading? Apparently me. It’s probably the reason I’m still training in Aikido 28 years later. I started Aikido in 1988 while still in college. For my...Continue reading→
All Things Aikido with Malory Graham
All Things Aikido with special guest Malory Graham from Seattle Aikikai, Nov. 6, 2019. Join us for a very special episode with special guest Malory Graham from Seattle Aikikai with co-Hosts Glenn Brooks and John Thompson as they dive deeper into some pressing questions about the future of Aikido and some advise for any of...Continue reading→