AikiCast

In this AikiCast interview series, Blaine talks with martial arts and meditation thought leader, Miles Kessler, founder and Dojo Cho of the Integral Dojo in Tel Aviv, Israel. Miles has created a 10 day telesummit called ‘Aikido at the Leading Edge’ with over 40 martial artists, thought leaders, meditation teachers, authors, and skilled trainers from a variety of disciplines. You ...

In this episode, Blaine talks about some of the problems of running a martial arts business, explains what market myopia is, he discusses some of the opportunities that have been created by the CrossFit craze and expounds on creating so much value for the students that a ‘hidden’ market of potential new students opens up.

The ‘welcome back’ episode of 2016 wherein I explain where the podcast disappeared to but, more importantly, where its going from here forward. Cant wait to have you back on board! Join us on Facebook at: AikiCast Facebook Page Join us on Instagram at: AikiCast Instagram Page

Blaine tackles the topic of McDojos in this episode of AikiCast. If you dont know what a McDojo is then you owe it to yourself to listen to this one! There are lots of lessons to be learned from McDojos and Blaine helps put it into proper perspective. There’s also a little history lesson about the real Chef Boyardee (think ...

In this episode Blaine discusses the rise of MMA (mixed martial arts) as a distinct and well known sporting style of martial arts training and competititon. He also tackles the tough question of whether or not MMA can be considered a separate and distinct martial art by itself or is it merely just a violent blood sport? Listen in as ...

This is the final segment of the AikiCast special 3 part series addressing the difficult and highly charged topic of police brutality, police killing of unarmed citizens, and the standards by which police investigate themselves in use of force incidents. Blaine covers a vast number of topics in this 3 part series which includes busting 3 of the biggest myths ...

This is part 2 of an AikiCast special 3 part segment addressing the difficult and highly charged topic of police brutality, police killing of unarmed citizens, and the standards by which police investigate themselves in use of force incidents. Blaine covers a vast number of topics in this 3 part series which includes busting 3 of the biggest myths surrounding ...

  This is an AikiCast special 3 part segment addressing the difficult and highly charged topic of police brutality, police killing of unarmed citizens, and the standards by which police investigate themselves in use of force incidents. Blaine covers a vast number of topics in this 3 part series which includes busting 3 of the biggest myths surrounding the profession ...

In this episode Blaine discusses his understanding of the meaning of the word ‘Shugyo’ which is typically translated as ‘auster training’ or ‘intense training’. Blaine explains how he came to first understand the concept and how he has used the concept to enhance his life. Shugyo can be a descriptive concept and idea but also an active idea to be ...

This Diamond Mining Friday Interview is with a good friend of mine, Joe Anshel Sensei. Joe is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Aikido and spent 4 years as an uchideshi (live-in student) under the renowned Fumio Toyoda Shihan. Joe is also a student of Zen meditation and brings a wealth of insights to this almost 3 hour long interview ...

Kicking off the AikiCast Diamond Mining Friday interview series with a special guest, Meido Moore Sensei. Meido Moore is the Chief Instructor and founder of the Shinjinkai Organization, as well as the founder and Abbott of the Korinji Zen Monastery in Wisconsin. Moore Sensei has been studying Zen and Martial Arts since the 1980’s and has travelled all over the ...

In this episode Blaine talks about an experience he had with Toyoda Sensei that wasn’t so pleasant but how it ultimately lead to a better friendship with him. It happened while Blaine was working for him at the Japanese Culture Center in Chicago, IL. Toyoda Sensei misinterpreted a phone call that was meant for Blaine and ended up yelling at ...

This episode of Diamond Mining Friday is a big one and an important one as it covers a topic that is, for some, controversial, and for others, a way of life. For Blaine, becoming a deliberate creator of experiences, opportunities, abundance, relationships, and health began when he was an uchi deshi (live-in student) in Chicago. His study of Aikido and ...

In this episode of the AikiCast question and answer session, Blaine tackles 2 big topics: starting your own martial arts business and what to do about the current state of police abuses in the U.S. The first question from Paolo is about being a full time instructor and what advice Blaine recommends for somebody considering becoming a full time martial ...

In this episode of AikiCast Diamond Mining Friday, Blaine discusses the differences between a mere martial arts teacher and a true Sensei. Since the term Sensei connotes one who has ‘gone before’ the student, there is an understanding in eastern traditions that the Sensei was more than just a teacher. The Sensei student relationship was on par with the parent ...

In this episode of AikiCast-Diamond Mining Friday, Blaine discusses a conversation he had with Toyoda Sensei about having a lot of pain in his back, knees, and hips from seated meditation (Zazen) training at Tenshinkan Dojo. Blaine discussed the issue with Toyoda Sensei expecting him to excuse Blaine from the practice but the diamond of wisdom that was shared would ...

In this AikiCast Special Business Edition, Blaine goes into detail about what he considers to be the ‘Top 5 Social Media Success Tips for Martial Arts Schools’.  The tips and tactics discussed in this podcast can, and should, be applied to any small business wanting to see more internet traffic, higher search engine rankings, better engagement from Facebook friends and ...

In this episode of AikiCast Diamond Mining Friday, Blaine explains how he learned the real meaning of the word ‘Kime’ as it was used by Toyoda Sensei during Aikido classes at the dojo. He also talks about the power of asking questions and the reason to re-examine one’s beliefs periodically and ask the vital questions that may lead to breakthroughs ...

In this episode of AikiCast-Diamond Mining Friday, Blaine talks about the lessons he learned while being the traditional martial arts role of Otomo. The otomo is typically the person who accompanies the Aikido, Karate, Kendo, or any other sensei on travels and carries the sensei’s bags, opens doors, and more or less, handles all of the mundane details for the ...

In this session, listen in as Blaine answers questions like: #1 James asks if he should quit karate after a couple decades of training and try Aikido, or some other martial art, or should he stick around like some of the old timers he sees still training in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Will he be abandoning his teacher by ...

In this session of Diamond Mining Friday, Blaine talks about some more Zen wisdom that was gleaned from his time as an uchi deshi studying Aikido and Zen. This diamond was mined from a realization Blaine had while sitting at Toyoda Sensei’s funeral in 2001. The phrase ‘Light your hair on fire’ comes from a Zen concept of meditating like ...

The new AikiCast-Diamond Mining Friday, session 003, has lots to offer in terms of Zen wisdom from Toyoda Sensei. As usual, I share another story about an experience I had while studying as an uchi-deshi under Toyoda Sensei. This particular experience occurred while I was cutting carrots for soup. Toyoda Sensei chimed in with some wisdom that has altered the ...

This episode of AikiCast-Diamond Mining Friday is about Toyoda Sensei’s vital lesson to me about how to eliminate my fears about teaching Friday night Aikido classes at Tenshinkan Dojo. He gave me some sage advice which was a 2 part formula: 1. Develop my point of view on what and how I wanted to lead class and 2. “Own the ...

Blaine pulls some of the top questions from AikiCast Nation members and answers them in the episode. Some of the questions are: What role do the techniques we practice in the dojo play in a self defense situation? How can I debate with somebody who says that their martial art is better or more effective than mine? and How can ...

AikiCast brings you a new segment called ‘Diamond Mining Friday’ which is a shorter podcast with some nuggets of wisdom that Blaine shares from his time with Toyoda Shihan. The Diamond Mining Friday segment will air every friday as Blaine mines his journals, as well as his 20 plus years of teaching experience for the diamonds that he was given ...

In this episode, Blaine expands the discussion about self defense classes and whats not being taught in them. Topics covered are using intuition and expanded situational awareness to identify and avoid potential dangerous situations, understanding Pre-Incident Indicators of violence to help thwart attacks, and also how to use the PINs, or Pre-Incident Indicators of success to experience greater abundance in ...

Blaine answers the top 5 questions from AikiCast Nation Members and listeners. He also reveals some exciting news at the end of the podcast so listen all the way through!

Blaine Feyen introduces us to his ideas about self defense training and how most martial artists go about it all wrong. He talks about the concept of awareness as a weapon, recovering from stupidity, and touches on some of the legal ramifications of self defense.

In this podcast episode, Blaine Feyen talks about the art of ukemi, as well as what it means to be a good uke. He explores some deeper concepts of ukemi and takes it beyond simply attacker and defender and also beyond simply the skill of falling. Blaine explains how ukemi is used to achieve success in daily living and how ...

Blaine discusses some of the benefits of training in Aikido. There are many more benefits than are mentioned in this podcast but Blaine outlines 5 very important reasons one might decide to start training in Aikido. The benefits include flexibility, increased cardio vascular health, Self defense skills, physical and mental resilience and awareness. Listen in to some of the personal ...

In this episode Blaine talks about the martial art of the gun and how his Aikido understanding overlaps with his understanding and training with guns. He gives 3 challenges to martial artists and martial arts instructors at the end of the podcast so listen all the way to the end and TAKE NOTES!

In this episode, Blaine gives a brief biography of Fumio Toyoda and then expounds on his time as Toyoda Sensei’s uchi-deshi (live-in student) and the top 5 lessons he Toyoda Sensei left his students. Make sure you take notes, this is some good s***!

In this episode Blaine discusses the top 10 reasons why Aikido is not only a great martial art for children, its also one of the best martial arts for children. Grab a pad and pen and take some notes!

Summary: In this podcast Blaine talks about his opinion on whether or not students should sign a contract with a martial arts school. He also gives a ton of good advice about picking the right school for you and how to negotiate your agreement with the school you choose.

Summary: In this podcast I discuss my opinions on whether schools should have students sign agreements or not. I also give my advice on 6 things owners should do to be more successful with new students. Listen and learn!

Summary: Picking up where we left off on the last podcast and finishing up with the tips for choosing the martial arts  school that’s right for you. Enjoy!

Summary: Taken from our “7 Deadly Sins When Choosing A Dojo” auto-responder series from the DoAikido.com website. I walk you through some of the big things to look for when trying to choose the martial arts school that’s right for you! Take some notes and enjoy!

Summary: Welcome back to AikiCast! We took a brief hiatus but are back with a vengeance. This is a quick welcome back and overview podcast. Enjoy!