“Many students,in their practice, fall into the trap of stopping the technique at the instant they think they have done something wrong. There can be many reasons for this. They may think the technique was botched and there is no reason to continue. Others may stop performing the technique in order to evaluate the cause at the point of the mistake. In cutting the techinique short, the student misses out on fundemental lessons and if this stopping is done often enough, the student can develop a bad habit.”
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.
Training is like an Algebra of sorts, using the whole of ourselves; body, mind and spirit, in a way that reduces otherwise complex moves to their simplest and most efficient, immediate application.
“Draeger is remembered today chiefly as the author of more than 30 books and numerous articles about the Asian martial arts, as well as for being one of the best-qualified and most experienced Western exponents of the combative arts. The oft-repeated legend that he either had or possessed the equivalent of some 100 black-belt ranks is perhaps apocryphal, but he no doubt was among the most accomplished martial artists of his generation, perhaps of all time. He held a sixth-degree black belt in judo; a seventh degree in jojutsu (Japanese stick fighting), kendo and iaido; and a menkyo license in the tenshin shoden katori shinto-ryu of bujutsu.”
“As with all higher martial arts based on universal principles, aikido can be practiced and understood on many different levels. Over the years, an aikidoka will experience the same technique being performed in a myriad of ways, ranging from very athletic to extremely subtile. Of course, your perception of the technique will depend on your own athletic ability, maturity, and the level of your teachers. The first time I felt a shihan who was twenty-five years my senior, move me easily and with no apparent strength or speed, I was amazed and extremely excited. From that moment on, my focus shifted: my only desire was to direct my training and study toward the development of that energy.
“Learning about Japanese culture, and Japan is an excellent way of developing your understanding of the martial art of Aikido… The Japanese language has always played a major role in Japanese culture. Written in a combination of three scripts… hiragana came from the Chinese cursive script, katakana, came from a shorthand of Chinese characters, and kanji, imported from China.”
“In the Aikido dojo, we again have a chance to grow and push ourselves. In the company of like-minded individuals, an environment of exploration and hard work is born. In this strict and nurturing atmosphere, spirits are polished, bodies hardened and minds sharpened. The benefits of hard training and discipline will naturally flow to every day activities. Diligence at work and in the home will inspire colleagues and children. Even without realising it, our training in the dojo does make the world a better place.”
Part One: Traditions – Introduction: 
Some readers may recall how a few years ago we made a concerted effort to solicit translations of our archived articles into various foreign languages. That outreach to the world aikido community was an unqualified success as volunteers busied themselves translating articles into their native tongues. Over time, some 200 translations were received, formatted and uploaded to 
“I remember the afternoon I came into the dojo accompanied by a beautiful Italian woman who was also interested in Aikido and we sat on the bench at the end of the mat to watch. Yamada Sensei was away. Butch was teaching and came by frequently to answer any question the young lady might have. I was amazed by the students’ relationship with the mat and by the senior students’ calm demeanor while under attack! I remember thinking “How elegant! What a beautiful flow of energy. Ki in action!” The young lady never did take up Aikido, but I signed up that day and with great eagerness began my meditation with the aiki movements.”
Here is a particularly interesting quote on pacifism from an interview with Yukiyoshi Takamura Sensei appearing in Aikido Journal several years ago:
“Slowly the Aikido public is starting to redefine what it means to be “advanced” in this art. Teachers with long history and high rank are being reconsidered by a community which is far better educated than it was twenty to thirty years ago. Starting with the first 