Aikido Journal

Learn more about a new survey we just released. We're collecting data on motivations and beliefs about the martial art of aikido. After compiling sufficient data, we will analyze the results and share key findings with the community.  Take the survey now. 

A conversation with Philip Greenwood on Shoji Nishio, a first generation student of the founder of aikido and one of the great proponents of innovation in the art.  Philip Greenwood Sensei (6th dan) started aikido in the mid-1970's at Pasadena Aikikai and later served there as an instructor throughout the 1990's. Presently he is a student of Koji Yoshida Sensei, one of Nishio Sensei's appointed successors. Philip teaches Aikido in the method of Shoji Nishio and is the President of Nishikaze Aikido Society of America, the official organization of Nishio Sensei's Aikido in the U.S. by Yoshida Sensei.   Learn more about Philip Greenwood and the Nishikaze Aikido Society here: www.greenwoodaikido.com https://nishikazeaikido.org/      

In this podcast episode, Guillaume Erard Sensei (5th dan Aikikai, 3rd dan Daito-ryu aikijujutsu) talks about his experience at the Aikikai Hombu (headquarters) Dojo, the Japanese perspective on Budo and the concept of harmony, and insights he’s gained about aikido through his Daito-ryu training.  Guillaume is extremely knowledgable about the technical, cultural, and historical side of aikido and other Budo arts as one of the leading researchers and media producers in the aikido community. We hope you’ll enjoy this conversation with Guillaume.   Learn more about Guillaume Erard and see his work here.

“Aikido makes strong people.” So says Lee Lavi Ramirez Sensei, former Israeli judo champion and military officer turned aikido instructor and founder of North Valley Aikikai in Northridge, California. The pupil of Ichiro Shibata Shihan (8thdan) – who was himself a direct disciple of Kisshomaru Ueshiba – is now marshaling all of her training to face the greatest challenge of her life: her teenage daughter Aria's bone cancer. Please excuse any background noise you hear during the podcast as Lee was speaking with us from the hospital while Aria was undergoing treatment.   Photo © Gary Payne Aria's GoFundMe campaign

Bruce Bookman Sensei talks about his early techincal influcences including Yoshimitsu Yamada, Kazuo Chiba and Kisshomaru Ueshiba. He also shares his thoughts on self-defense and his experience working with Aikido Journal on our first instructor seminar and our upcoming online course, Aikido Extensions with Bruce Bookman. Learn more about Aikido Extensions: https://academy.aikidojournal.com/p/Aikido-Extensions Sign-up for Bruce Bookman's Summer Aikido Intensive on August 3-5: https://squareup.com/store/tenzan-aikido/item/summer-aikido-intensive-with-bruce-bookman-kaicho?t=modal-em    

Patricia Hendricks Shihan (7th dan Aikikai) talks about her approach to teaching, the Iwama aikido culture, "mansplaining", Star Trek, and her upcoming projects with Aikido Journal. Join us for this fun and informative discussion with one of the most respected instructors and leaders in the aikido world. Learn more about Patricia Hendricks' upcoming seminar hosted by Aikido Journal here.

Will the next generation of aikido instructors be positioned to take on higher level leadership positions when called to do so? Or have problems in skill transmission handicapped them and risked the integrity of future generations of aikido practitioners?   George Ledyard (7th dan Aikikai), one of the most senior instructors under Mitsugi Saotome, talks with Aikido Journal about the critical role of the uke and dedicated instructor training programs for optimal skill transmission in the art of aikido. You can find out more about Ledyard sensei's upcoming sword intensive here: http://www.aikieast.com/events/    

Roy Dean talks with Josh Gold about his media work with Aikido Journal, his experience at the 2005 Aiki Expo, and shares his impressions on Bruce Bookman and Koichi Tohei.  Learn more about our new Ki Aikido course with Koichi Tohei (10th dan): https://academy.aikidojournal.com/p/Ki-Aikido