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
Shodo
Shodo is a way to transmit and expose our inner spirit through brush and ink.
How to fertile your creativity
I had depleted myself by the time Shodo Essentials launched on May 26. I spent countless hours writing, editing, brushing, shooting, and promoting the online course. Also, as a challenge in April, I brushed a calligraphy every day for 30 days. Not only did I brush calligraphy daily, but I also shot, edited and uploaded a video to YouTube every day during this challenge. I was … [Read more...] about How to fertile your creativity
Daily Practice
Someone emailed me a few days ago asking if Shodo Essentials (the new updated version of Intro to Japanese Calligraphy Online Course) was a good fit for him. He explained he was taking lessons from a local teacher and was wondering if he was better suited for my Advanced Course. This is a legitimate question and one I get asked quite often. My goal with creating this online … [Read more...] about Daily Practice
30 Days of Shodo
As the semester heads to its peak, my calendar looks like a grid of starbursts; color coded blocks of events, meetings, appointments, and important dates all staring at me multiple times a day. What's the best thing to do at times like this? Find time to rest, you think? NO. It is time for daily practice! My culinary students start to worry about their comprehensive … [Read more...] about 30 Days of Shodo
Teaching is Learning
“While we teach, we learn” Seneca, Roman Philosopher When I first learned how to make sushi at Big Fish Restaurant in 2006, the chef who trained me said: “you don’t know how to make sushi until you need to train someone else”. He trained me for a day or two, and then I was on my own. I managed the station fairly well during busy nights and I got to the point where I thought I … [Read more...] about Teaching is Learning