Taking Up Space
The attacker lunged for Lisa. She deftly shifted back a few inches out of reach. She gripped his hand. She made a graceful pivot....
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durangosbkaikido
Oct 21, 20203 min read
Change and Breathing
We are living in a time of great change. Change comes with uncertainty. For many people, uncertainty creates anxiety. We can’t eliminate...
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durangosbkaikido
Feb 3, 20206 min read
All Tied Up – Musubi part 2
In my last post I discussed two Japanese words–awase and musubi— are slightly different concepts of connecting with a partner’s energy. I...
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durangosbkaikido
Dec 30, 20193 min read
Bound to Connect: Musubi Part 1
Aikido is a Japanese martial art. Although it is practiced around the world, its cultural context is important. From the uniform to the...
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durangosbkaikido
Dec 6, 20183 min read
Agatsu: Victory of Self (or “Can You Fold That Hakama?”)
Since the day I started training in aikido 2 1/2 years ago, I have admired everyone in a hakama and wondered what it would be like to...
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durangosbkaikido
Nov 8, 20183 min read
Ai’s Wide Shut
“It’s like we’re psychic,” Holly marvels. “How did you know what I was thinking?” I ask. We repeat the experiment. She shuts her eyes. I...
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durangosbkaikido
Oct 15, 20182 min read
Immovable Mind
To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace. – Morihei Ueshiba A...
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durangosbkaikido
Jul 25, 20182 min read
Practicing Aikido in the Present Moment
I didn’t know it would feel like this. It’s been two years now that I’ve been practicing aikido, and while there have been ups and downs,...
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philipriffe
Apr 23, 20185 min read
Connection
In my early years of aikido, connection was not emphasized. I first conceived of connection as something to break away from. Someone...
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durangosbkaikido
Mar 14, 20183 min read
Reach Out and Touch Someone – Extending Ki
What is ki? It is one of the first questions that beginners ask. The best answer I know is “Keep practicing and find out.” But that comes...
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philipriffe
Jan 27, 20186 min read
Have You Ever Had To Use Aikido?
I suspect that most people who practice a martial art have been asked a similar question. “Have you ever had to use tae kwon...
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durangosbkaikido
Jan 21, 20182 min read
Exploring the Principles: Keep One Point
Every art, trade, science, and study has its jargon. Aikido is no different. Jargon can be a barrier to learning, but it develops for a...
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durangosbkaikido
Dec 26, 20174 min read
Exploring the Principles: Beginner’s Mind
Meeting someone who has a high level of mastery is much like seeing a giant sequoia. How do they know so much? How does a martial artist...
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durangosbkaikido
Dec 11, 20173 min read
Throw It All Away
A koan is an insoluble puzzle that gives deeper and deeper insights but is never resolved. Koan #4 byAlex Pishtar Recently Mark Sensei...
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durangosbkaikido
Nov 19, 20176 min read
Exploring the Principles: Weight Underside
I thought weight underside would be one of the easier principles to discuss, but it is both obvious and counter-intuitive. I have begun...
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durangosbkaikido
Sep 28, 20173 min read
Shall We Dance?
Our dojo recently enjoyed a spectacular, technically spot-on nikyu test—nikyu meaning 2nd rank below black belt shodan. No matter what...
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durangosbkaikido
Sep 7, 20173 min read
Which way is down?
Which Way Is Down? I’ve always been a bit clumsy. From bumping into walls to drawing surprised glances when I dance in public, I have...
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durangosbkaikido
Sep 5, 20173 min read
Exploring the Principles: Relax Completely Part 2
I’ve been thinking more about the principle of relaxing completely. It is inextricable from the other key principles, but it is one of...
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philipriffe
Aug 15, 20173 min read
Kinesthetic Skill
I never expected to fall in love again. For several months, my wife Adele had been taking tai chi at the community college. After class,...
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durangosbkaikido
Aug 8, 20172 min read
Exploring the Principles: Relax Completely
Martial arts require practicing new ways of moving, thinking, and interacting with others. Aikido relies on several key principles that...
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