Aikido of Rochester NY

“The Japanese have six words referring to varying degrees of training: keiko, renshu, shuren, tanren, kufu, and shugyo. The first four can be translated respectively as practice, training, discipline, and forging. There are no words for the last two.

Shugyo is the deepest spiritual training possible. Refining the self in shugyo is like forging a sword from raw iron ore…
Without shugyo, realizations are passing highs. The natural form of the body will not be developed, nor will the structures of mind emerge from the Unconscious; and a person will regress to egotistical patterns under pressure.”

-K. Morgan
From Budo Inochi, 2015

Shu-Ha-Ri
Is the Japanese martial art concept which describes the process or stages of learning to mastery:

Shu - Follow the rules, we obey the rules.
Like an apprentice, we first learn
and follow our Sensei precisely.
Ha - Bend the rules. We begin to break
free and detach. With principles
intact, we innovate.
Ri - Transcend the rules. We go beyond.
‘Liberating principles’ as a life
mind/body/spirit expression.

We move from explicit (clear intellectual) knowledge, to implicit (applied) knowledge, and then tacit (experiential, intuitive) emancipatory knowledge or wisdom.

With the process of Shu-Ha-Ri, we grow and mature with each developmental stage. We acquire the ability to take on multiple perspectives, we possess an increased
capacity for care and compassion for others. We quiet the ego and have a more creative expression.

Obtaining physical martial skill without
development of the self is not Shu-Ha-Ri.

G. Breeland 6th dan

With falls accounting for a great number of injuries in those over 65 years, learning to SAFELY fall is an important life skill. The study of gentle and safe falling is core to aikido practice. We do this so the safe falling form becomes a reflex as natural as taking a stroll. In this way, we may not know when the fall will happen, but we know we’re always ready to make it. Not only does this make it easier to get back on our feet, it’s also a big part of what makes aikido fun. Come learn a skill you can take on your life’s journey, and free your inner ape! 🦧 See our website for our New Student Specials: https://nolaaikido.com/

“There is no such thing as failure in Aikido; only opportunity, reaction, adaptation, evolution.”

“You must be studying what is difficult for you, not what is easy. This does not mean difficult struggling with Uke, it means struggling with your own temptation to “do what you know.” You must be making mistakes, even in front of your students; how you respond to your mistakes is a very important element of leadership.
You must practice shugyo, and discover your weaknesses.
You must identify and study the things that you cannot do, but that others can. No matter how old you are, you can continue to accomplish things you could not do the day before.
You must find new insights, seek new changes inside yourself.
You must be willing to challenge your beliefs, the things that you believe are facts, the foundations of your skill and knowledge…you must not treat today’s attacker like yesterday’s attacker, you should seek that what you know to be true of Aikido today can be different than what you knew to be true yesterday.”

-Mitsugi Saotome Shihan

Excerpt from article “Saotome Sensei on Getting Stuck on the Mountain”, fr Aikido Chuseikan, 2016

Original article:
https://tampaaikido.com/articles/saotome-sensei-and-getting-stuck-on-the-mountain/

"Aikido is not a sport. It is a discipline, an educational process for training the mind, body and spirit. An Aikido dojo is not a gymnasium. It is the place where the discipline of the Way is revealed. Physical technique is not the final objective, but a tool for personal refinement and spiritual growth.
The correct attitude of respect, sincerity and modesty, and the proper atmosphere are essential to the learning process. And as Aikido is a martial way, they are essential to the safety of each individual..."

-Master Instructor Mitsugi Saotome, founder of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU).
Excerpt Fr ASU handbook 'Rules of the Dojo'
Photo by voll

Wonderful seminar at Capital Aikikai Silver Spring

Backbody Clyde Takeguchi's oldest student Michael Friedl Shihan (CAA) gives an aikidoclass during the celebration of Clyde's 8th dan and also the 50th Anniversay…

Fascia-Training and Taijiquan Fascia Training in Chen Taijiquan (Tai-Chi), anatomical lines

“Tai-sabaki is not done to shove the opponent, but to absorb the opponent. When the opponent comes to attack you, you should invite him in to thrust at you in any way he likes.

O’Sensei said, ‘Give the opponent what he wants, and satisfy him. Then when he thrusts, parry him with Tai-sabaki and invite him to come into your Maai.’”

-Kanshu Sunadomari (1923-2010)
9th dan