May
18

Video: Shoji Nishio — “Successive atemi are always available!”

When Nishio Sensei explained the use of atemi in aikido techniques he demonstrated their application at successive points in the movement showing that they are always available. No physical contact actually takes place in order to assure safe practice conditions. The movement corresponding to the atemi does indeed neutralize the opponent’s mind and body rendering him unable to continue his attack…

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May
18

Get Un-Stuck! David Shaner presents principles of Ki Aikido at TED x Greenville

A fine presentation of the philosophy and art of Ki Aikido applied to challenging our thinking patterns by one of the leading students of Koichi Tohei, 10th dan. Dr. David Shaner is a 7th Degree Black Belt in the Japanese art of Ki-Aikido. He is the Chief Instructor of the Eastern (USA) Ki Federation and Japan Headquarters Advisor to the Eastern Europe/Russia Ki-Aikido Federation where he teaches each year…

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May
17

Video: Shoji Nishio — “Atemi to temporarily neutralized the opponent’s fighting ability”

While atemi or preemptive strikes, have fallen into disuse in mainstream styles of aikido, Nishio saw their employment as essential to the success of aikido techniques: “I regard atemi as the soul of Japanese martial arts. Atemi temporarily neutralize the opponent’s fighting ability and allow him to correct his attitude and return to his previous condition”…

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May
17

Modern Aikido began here… “Iwama: Birthplace of Aikido,” by Stanley Pranin


The founder became quite ill toward the end of 1942 with an intestinal ailment and this may have affected the actual timing of his withdrawal to Iwama. The contrast with his hectic life in Tokyo was dramatic as rural Iwama had only a few thousand residents. As Ueshiba recovered from his illness, he began to devote his time to farming, training and meditation…

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May
17

Video: Shoji Nishio — “Aikido represents a major departure from its predecessor arts”

If you are not familiar with the aikido approach of Shoji Nishio, 8th dan, the video highlights below will quickly acquaint you with the essentials of his martial system. Particular points to watch for are Nishio Sensei’s initial set up movements, often accompanied by atemi strikes, rapidity and precision during application of techniques, and final controling movements and pins. In this system, for the most part, empty-handed techniques (taijutsu) have corresponding movements using the ken and jo…

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May
17

Video: “Jo tai Ken… Nishio Syle”

“A total of 4 downloadable videos are included and cover the following subjects: Gyakuhanmi Katatedori, Aihanmi Katatedori, Shomenuchi (1), Shomenuchi (2), Yokomenuchi, Ryotedori and Sodedori, Katadori Menuchi, and Aikido Toho Iai.”

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May
17

Popular! Do NOT Punch In A Street Fight… Over 8,000,000 views!

An interesting analysis of the dangers of using a punch in an actual altercation along with a series of suggestions for accomplishing the effects of a punch without causing injury to your hand. This video has over 8,000,000 views!…

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May
16

Sadateru Arikawa, 9th dan:“He was talkative, tireless, severe yet cheerful, fearsome on the mat, and fiercely loyal to the Ueshiba family.”

My staff would dread these visits by Sensei because it would interrupt their work flow. Also, no one other than me had such an unquenchable interest in aikido history that I shared with Arikawa Sensei. Besides, many people found it difficult to understand his speech, myself included, because he talked in a scarcely audible, raspy voice. I never could figure out why Sensei talked in this way until much later when he told me the story…

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May
16

Video: Shoji Nishio — “Restoring Aikido’s martial effectiveness”

“Certain people in the world of Japanese martial arts began to doubt that aikido was a martial art. This doubt concerning the martial nature of aikido is often voiced both in Japan and abroad. We have done our best to convey the words of O-Sensei to present-day practitioners and exemplify these principles in our own practice…”

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May
16

Video: Shoji Nishio — “Aikido represents a major departure from its predecessor arts”

“Aikido represents a major departure from its predecessor arts that focused exclusively on winning or defeating an opponent. It is natural that the way to present aikido techniques differs greatly from that of other martial arts. It goes without saying that aikido techniques are very complex and sophisticated…”

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May
16

Video: Shoji Nishio — The atemi reaches uke’s face causing a “flinch reflex”

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May
16

Popular! Joe Thambu’s dazzling Yoshinkan Aikido demonstration… nearly 2,000,000 views

Joe Thambu is an Australian teacher of Yoshinkan Aikido, currently ranked 7th Dan, with over 35 years experience in the art. He began his training in 1972 and was the first person to teach and disseminate Yoshinkan Aikido in Australia. He teaches out of the Aikido Shudokan school located in Melbourne…

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