Old and New

Here is a link to an interesting article comparing rankings systems over the years in japanese martial arts. http://www.judoinfo.com/ranks.htm

I Am That

"That in whom reside all beings and who reside in all beings, who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being - I am that."

-Amritbindu Upanishad

Acceptance and Resorption

In the sword there is no sword;
make a sword of the body.
In the body there is no body;
make a body of the spirit.
Like a firefly, round; by its
radiance, apparent.
Waiting not, scheming not,
thinking not, pausing not,
As if turning circles on a stage,
As if pressing a gourd in water.
-Kunii Zen'ya

Sakura Co. - Tools for the study of the Way

http://sakura-co.blogspot.com/

ASU Weapons Intensive

I will be away for the ASU Summer Weapons Intensive and class will be cancelled for the next two Wednesdays. Our regular weekly keiko will resume on July 16. See you then - Danny

Chikyokan 7th Anniversary

Congratulations to our home dojo Shobu Aikido of Ohio for 7 great years of Aikido.

5.28.08

Beside calm water
under shade trees
on soft summer grass
we find the way.

Kumi Tachi

May 24 & 25 Shobu Aikido of Ohio will be hosting a weapons seminar focusing on Saotome Sensei's Kumi Tachi (or Aiki-Ken) katas #6-10.
Saturday 10-12 & 3-5
Sunday 10-12

5.7.8

"The triangle represents the generation of energy and initiative; it is the most stable physical posture. The circle symbolises unification, serenity and perfection; it is the source of unlimited techniques. The square stands for form and solidity, the basis of applied control."

"When the triangle, the circle and the square become one, it moves in spherical rotation together with the flow of ki, and the Aikido of sumi kiri ("total clarity of mind and body") appears."

- Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei

4.30.08

"Day after day train your heart out, refining your technique: Use the One to strike the Many! That is the discipline of the Warrior." -O'Sensei

4.28.08

Thank you to Bill Gleason Sensei and Jay Weik Sensei for their insight and instruction and all the Okugyo participants for their sincerity and generosity throughout the past week's training.

Things seen and unseen

The way that can be followed is not the eternal way.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the origin of heaven and earth
While naming is the origin of the myriad things.
Therefore, always desireless, you see the mystery
Ever desiring, you see the manifestations.
These two are the same--
When they appear they are named differently.
Their sameness is the mystery,
Mystery within mystery;

The door to all marvels.

-Lao Tzu

3.26.08

Bodhidharma

Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish. -ovid

Resistance

Through the practice of Aikido and understanding of it's principle, one learns to receive another's attack, putting an end to the action-reaction trap. Unlike action-reaction, receiving allows us to break the violence-begets-violence scenario that continues to devastate the world around us. Instead, the aggression is fully accepted to be released peacefully back to the universe.

3.19.08

True victory is victory of self; may this happen at the speed of light!

3.12.08

tonight at keiko we were privileged to have jamie from burlington, vermont stop in to train with us. the group had a good practice working on some of Saotome Sensei's lessons from last weekend. it is always interesting to see how conflict breaks down to simply who controls the center.

Aiki Shrine

Here are some photos of a recent trip to the Aiki Shrine in Myakka City, Fl.

2.27.08

Weight underside, ki extended, completely relaxed, maintain one-point and receive the universe.

Ki Musubi

click the title above to see how stars deal with conflict.

After Keiko

here is some impromptu footage taken at Shobu Aikido of Ohio of Danny Kline (nage) with Bob Bartels (uke).