Aikido Off The Mat

A deeply personal and compelling memoir that illustrates how the basic principles of Aikido can help us cope with the challenges of life outside the dojo Drawing from more than forty years of experience as an Aikido practitioner and teacher, Kathy Park explains how principles such as embodiment, grounding, centering, extension, 360-degree awareness, blending, and alignment can be applied to everyday life. Candid stories from her own life show how the purpose of practicing Aikido on the mat is to take it off the mat and into the world.

For several years many of my students have been urgently requesting written information regarding my thoughts on life and the martial arts. They requested it in book form. It all started with one particular Tae Kwon Do student and as several Quiet Storm practitioners began to seek me out on advance ideas, theory and philosophy, they also started training in Aikido on many occasions. As they practiced with the Aikido students that request for written knowledge began to spread to students in my Aikido classes. After giving it serious thought and "trying"to consider the consequences of this action, I began reflecting on my many years of experiences. I started looking through the notes which I had began jotting down dating from about 1973 through the present day. What I thought they wanted was incorrect. I soon came to realize that they didn't want a shortcut. I have always taught that there are no shortcuts. They wanted inspiration, or more to the point, they wanted to know about that which had inspired and guided me. Many students said I was different from anyone else they have ever met and they want to know why. I won't give you a definitive answer here, but I will tell you this: I do not believe "time" exists in the usual sense. Think only of "Now." That's all there is. Thinking that way may make it easier for you to comprehend why I seem different from most other people. I can tell you this; it's all an open secret.

Developing self-esteem, confidence and the determination to see projects through while teaching the world and your supervisor how you wish to be treated is the essence of this book.

The ‘Silent Winds’ refers to the stillness and internal silence at the centre of all Aikido techniques. The silence is infused with awareness – awareness of the space surrounding you, awareness of the internal landscape of thoughts and emotions, and awareness of the technique you are performing. This silence nurtures the intuition that guides the choices you make with respect to technique and movement in general. The stillness and silence of Aikido allow techniques to flow seamlessly and effortlessly as intuitive choices replace the slower process of conceptual thought. However, the need for awareness and intuition in martial arts relies on the basic martial principles that form the foundation of the physical practice. Appropriate distance, alignment and timing of strikes are critical. If there are no credible strikes then the need for awareness of what is happening in the space surrounding the nage diminishes, as does the need for internal awareness of thoughts or emotions. Without the threat of a sudden strike, there is no need to make a split-second intuitive choice. This book is about the silent skill sets that translate from the mats to our life off the mats. It is these skills that are important to building a more peaceful world. Rather than technique, the focus is on ‘how’ we practice. How we develop awareness of the space that surrounds us and find stillness in the waterfall of thoughts and emotions that cascade through our heads while we practice. How we create new techniques in response to changing conditions and how the use of intuition can guide our practice and our interaction with people in our daily lives.

Fifteen years ago, Kim Barton walked into an Aikido dojo and her life was transformed. She never imagined herself doing a martial art, had never even heard of Aikido until a few months before, and yet, there she was on the mat in a dojo. Off the mat, Kim thought about Aikido and how it affected her life.How does proper posture affect our actions on and off the mat?What is 'spiritual power?'How does one handle the responsibility of teaching Aikido?What does it mean to be engaged with our partners?In the process of earning her third degree black belt, Kim journaled, wrote essays and blog posts about these questions and about her personal Aikido journey. These writings have now been compiled into Aikido: One Woman's Journey of Self-Discovery. Taking inspiration from O'Sensei, the wisdom of her teacher or visiting teachers, and quotes from martial artists like Bruce Lee, Kim contemplates Aikido, self-discovery, and life.

With the number of Aikido dojos in the U.S. estimated at up to 1,000, this Japanese martial art has never been more popular. This revised edition of the best-selling Aikido Exercises for Teaching and Training provides an ideal companion for both teachers and students of all Aikido systems. With over 100 illustrations and 300 pages of detailed techniques and exercises, Aikido Exercises for Teaching and Training has proved itself as the definitive guide to the “peaceful martial art.” The exercises here are based on hitori waza, the simple building blocks that underlie the most spectacular Aikido throws. These are augmented with testing techniques, class demonstrations, and underlying basics of physics, anatomy, and psychology. The book includes an explanation of the relationships between exercises and throws; an approach for safe mastery of rolling and ukemi skills; the anatomy of wristlocks; useful training equipment; exercises for individual, off-mat practice; and verbal self-defense techniques. Unlike most Aikido manuals, this one draws from multiple systems (including Aikikai and Yoshinkan Aikido as well as Judo) and many seemingly unrelated topics to enhance understanding of the underlying principles of Aikido. Peppered with humorous anecdotes, creative analogies, and real-life lessons, this is a practical and inspiring guide for all Aikidoists.

Get your aikido training off to a great start—from basic footwork and throws to training and demonstrations. This martial arts guide is a perfect introduction to aikido for beginners. Are you ready to learn aikido, but don't know where to begin? Are you intimidated by the unfamiliar terms or the powerful aikido techniques? With Aikido Basics you'll become an expert in this Japanese martial art in no time! Whether you are considering taking up this martial art, or you've already started, this aikido book offers an easy, yet comprehensive introduction to everything you need to know to feel confident and be successful. You'll learn about: The origins of aikido—philosophy, history and different styles What really happens in an aikido class—invaluable tips on choosing the right school, getting ready for your first class, and basic training methods The essential elements—stances, strikes, grabs, throws, and pins How to complement your aikido training—ki exercises, multiple-person training, and freestyle exercises Effective ways to succeed in aikido—create a training program, test for belt promotion, and participate in competitions and tournaments Resources—help further develop your aikido training

“This book is a warmhearted handshake, a graceful and practical invitation to enter and blend with the ahhh of the world. It is as natural and wise an introduction to the spirit of the martial arts as you can find on paper.”—Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of A Path with Heart In his bestselling Mastery, renowned spiritual and martial arts teacher George Leonard taught hundreds of thousands of people how to use Zen philosophy to reach mastery in any field. Now, he brings together his extraordinary knowledge and experience into a book that translates the principles of aikido directly into our everyday lives. Aikido is more philosophy and meditation than a technique or a series of purely physical maneuvers. Leonard shares the secrets of this remarkable Eastern philosophy, which is the basis for the most radical and demanding of all martial arts. Through mind-body exercises inspired by aikido yet designed for non-practitioners, he demonstrates the fundamental understanding behind aikido and shows how it can be applied to help set us on the path to composure, self-sufficiency, and spiritual centeredness. Combining illuminating personal anecdotes with practical advice, this award-winning author describes the ways in which aikido can help turn life’s unanticipated blows into gifts and transform discord into harmony, anxiety and pain into vital energy. Exhilarating, enlightening, and filled with unique wisdom, The Way of Aikido is an inspiring lesson in balance, confidence, and power. “The Way of Aikido does no less than open the door to the universe and invite you through to become one with it, to become balanced, powerful, energetic, alert, and present.”—Susan Trott, author of The Holy Man and Crane Spreads Wings