“Anyone can rent a building and start their own dojo, regardless of their experience and knowledge of aikido. They can exaggerate on their qualifications to teach and a person new to aikido can be easily mislead. I feel sorry for the gullible students of these type teachers. I also feel frustrated that they are representing aikido so poorly. Some people go to see aikido for the first time and will leave thinking that aikido is BS.
Sometimes a student moves to an area where there isn’t a dojo and must start their own in order to keep training. In these situations, I think that it is okay to teach as long as the sensei and the students continue to learn from a parent dojo. I think that the sensei owes it to themselves and their students to continue to learn.
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Sooner or later it will happen to all of us. The older guy on the mat that you were reluctant to train with because he was too slow or too stiff or too brittle becomes you. What should you do? Leave the mat and take up knitting? Doubtful. Instead, like all the adjustments you start to make you need to find a way to continue doing what you love; perhaps, a little slower or with a little less power. Or perhaps less often or with more time spent sitting seiza on the back of the mat. 
“The biggest name in mixed martial arts, UFC is a multimillion-dollar business that fills arenas, broadcasts events on pay-per-view and has deals with cable networks like Spike TV. The sport, which combines jiujitsu, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing and wrestling, has put off some critics with its ferocity, including such tactics as kicks to the head.
“Koichi Kashiwaya sensei began aikido training in 1969 at Risshou University in Tokyo, Japan. He started training with Koichi Tohei sensei back in 1970. He started teaching in the United States in 1971 at the Seattle Ki Society for four years then later returned in 1977 to found the Rocky Mountain Ki Society in Boulder, Colorado. He was appointed Chief Instructor for Ki Society USA by Tohei sensei in 1983. He now holds an 8th dan in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, an Okuden in Ki Training, a lecturer in teaching for Ki Society International, and is a judge for the International Taigi Competition.”
“Do you ever have doubts about continuing training? Maybe you show up at work one day with a spain, or a limp, or some injury due to training and your boss tells you to choose between your job and your hobby? It happens. What do you do when it does?
The Human body-mind, the Hito Jinja contains all the forces of the universe whether we are conscious of this or not. Most will remain latent throughout a life.
“Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook are the authors of two classic illustrated books that have never been out of print since their initial publications, and that are currently available worldwide in multiple foreign-language editions: Secrets of the Samurai and Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere. They are also the translators of Tacuinum Sanitatis: The Medieval Health Handbook.
“It is with great sadness that GRACIEMAG.com announces the passing of Grandmaster Helio Gracie. At 95 years of age, the great icon and one of those most responsible for Jiu-Jitsu’s success in Brazil and the world died this morning, at Beneficencia Portuguesa Hospital, in Petropolis, mountain region of Rio de Janeiro.”
Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.
“Several years ago an Aikido Sensei* told me a story about his Zen master. When the old man was on his death bed, the Shanga (community) gathered to ask what would become of them. The old man, smiled, laughed, and simply said, “Changes, changes, changes.”
“This was the picture of Jujutsu which the Swedish physiotherapist, boxer and elite-sportsman Viking Cronholm took with him when he travelled to South-Africa in 1904. It was there that a few years later he was taught Jujutsu by an English officer. He returned to Sweden, and immediately introduced Jujutsu to his old boxing friends.