This calligraphy is by Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido. It reads MASA KATSU A GATSU GATSU HAYABI (正勝吾勝 勝速日), and it translates as “True Victory is Self Victory on Victory Day." This phrase was O’Sensei most personal motto; a calligraphy he brushed numerous times. We can find hundreds of these calligraphies all over the internet these days. However, this one is my favorite … [Read more...] about Masa Katsu A Gatsu: True Victory is Self Victory
Aikido
Aikido is a non-competitive Japanese Martial Art founded by Morihei Ueshiba which pursues mental improvement and inner strength.
The Four Levels of KI Development
Most martial artists hear of KI (CHI in Chinese) at some point in their training. Often, though, KI is poorly explained, and therefore its concept is foolish, interpreted as some mystical internal power we access only through deep concentration and meditation; Iron Fist style. KI is not unique to martial arts. Many eastern philosophies, religion, and Feng Shui use KI to … [Read more...] about The Four Levels of KI Development
Advanced Practice
Toyoda Sensei came to us and started yelling, “Do you want to fuck up Aikido?! I’m not going to let you fuck up Aikido!” It was my first advanced class with Toyoda Sensei. I sat in seiza and listened as my partner got grilled by Sensei over not doing the technique correctly. The thing was that he'd just taught a basic technique with a slight change in a movement he wanted … [Read more...] about Advanced Practice
Aikido vs MMA
On May of 2017, the video above showed up on YouTube showing an Aikido instructor sparring with an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter. As you can probably imagine, and naturally so, the Aikido guy gets his ass kicked by the MMA guy (not that bad though, they were just sparring). His insights at the end of the video were pretty good, and he wasn’t delusional thinking he had any … [Read more...] about Aikido vs MMA
Application of Aikido
My Aikido training has been the driving force of pretty much anything I’ve done and continue to do. Following on the footsteps of my older siblings, I began training in 1995 at the age of 14. I spent my teenage years at the dojo training almost every night, traveling to seminars and attending other dojo social gatherings. By age 18, Aikido had become an integral part of my … [Read more...] about Application of Aikido