A Finger Pointing at the Moon
My ski companion decided to take a break and have a beer. I left her sitting outside in the snow on a lawn chair in the broad area at the...
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durangosbkaikido
Feb 20, 20234 min read
Intro to Aikido Class Starts in March
On Monday, March 6th, DSBK launches a 4-week INTRO CLASS series. Participants who complete the course will attain a 6th kyu belt rank —...
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durangosbkaikido
Feb 18, 20234 min read
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
Jan 16, 20234 min read
NEW 4-Week Beginner Series
Participants who complete the course will attain a 6th kyu belt rank — step one of six on the way to a black belt. Plus a wealth of...
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durangosbkaikido
Dec 13, 20221 min read
DSBK Annual Report 2022
Our dojo is good evidence that bouncing back from a global catastrophe takes time and persistence. Improved class attendance, expanded...
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durangosbkaikido
Sep 27, 20223 min read
Acing the Test
DSBK Offers First Post-Covid Kyu Test Sensei called out the first technique to be demonstrated on the test. Mike Boeckman listened to the...
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philipriffe
Jun 17, 20216 min read
Shadow Boxing
I felt dismayed. In the midst of preparing for my first aikido test—consisting of 10 techniques—I made the mistake of asking one of the...
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philipriffe
Nov 20, 202012 min read
A Meditation on Meditation
Introspection Comes to America “Turn off your mind Relax and float downstream It is not dying It is not dying” I was 13 and the sound...
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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
Sep 5, 20204 min read
A Wiser Body Through Aikido
“The mountain lion was hunting and running towards me as I came around a corner,” Taylor explained. He too was hunting when the animal...
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durangosbkaikido
Jul 28, 20204 min read
Cutting Class
Ahhh. There’s nothing like a good sword-slinger movie set in a historic and/or fanciful Asian world. Any Kurosawa film belongs on the...
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durangosbkaikido
Dec 22, 20191 min read
DSBK Annual Report 2019
Durango Shin Budo Kai Aikido focused on building a robust financial backbone throughout 2019. The dojo achieved this outcome by...
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philipriffe
Nov 19, 20196 min read
Falling For It, Redux
I dreamed that I stood on the ledge of a tall building, 40 floors up. I stepped casually off the ledge and fell, remaining upright, hands...
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durangosbkaikido
Sep 27, 20198 min read
To See a Tree: Lessons from the Deadly Table
“I was having panic attacks,” Adele explains to the dinner party gathered at the local brewery. Around that large, high table we appear...
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durangosbkaikido
Aug 19, 20195 min read
Falling for It
“My ex-wife chose the paint colors,” Trebb explains as we set food and silverware on the dining table. He must have seen me eyeing the...
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philipriffe
Jul 12, 20193 min read
When I’m Ninety Six
As the milk for my morning’s cappuccino was frothing, I tore off yesterday’s page from our daily Zen calendar. Today’s quote was brief:...
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durangosbkaikido
Jun 16, 20194 min read
So Glad I Stayed
“Dude! That is so smooth!” My uke, Tim, makes this declaration while teetering on his toes, one arm so twisted his spine bevels. He looks...
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durangosbkaikido
Mar 8, 20194 min read
Know Your Limitations
Face down. Prostrate on my belly. With my head turned to one side, one cheek smooshed and spread like a pancake on the griddle. That’s...
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philipriffe
Feb 18, 20195 min read
Ain’t Gonna Study War No More
In my teens I was a pacifist. I registered for the draft when I turned 18. But it was a stalling tactic. The Vietnam War raged and I had...
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durangosbkaikido
Nov 26, 20184 min read
The Wrestler’s Vessel: A father and son give thanks for family, respect, and Aikido
Jerry and Nate face off on the mats. Jerry offers his torso as a target. Nate surges forward, his fist a torpedo gunning for his father’s...
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