I have been practicing Aikido since the mid 1980's when I met Tom Crum and began working with him on the applications of Aikido mind/body training off the mat.
I practice a style of aikido called Kokikai Aikido in which I hold a fifth degree black belt. Our chief instructor is Shuiji Maruyama Sensei of Nagoya, Japan. I am honored to hold the position of chief instructor for Aikido Kokikai Rochester - our dojo is a volunteer organization owned by its senior members.
Some favorite quotes from our opening class for 2005:
O'Sensei on the purpose of Aikido:
”I wonder if you grasp the real purpose of Aikido? It is not merely training yourself in the techniques of bujutsu. Its other purpose is the creation of a world of beauty, grace, and elegance. It is to make this world a better place, a world of joy. As I am always saying, God gave us this world, and the world is all one family. We have the continued privilege of enjoying its beauty and splendor. It is our obligation, as human beings, to establish a society that does justice to that beauty and splendor. Our goal in budo is not merely to protect ourselves. We must accept the gift of the divine love of God and constantly strive to honor that gift by nurturing the changes that will bring happiness to the world. If we truly honor the sacred heart of budo, we must work for peace, for a world without quarrels, without misery, without conflict. This is the real reason that we practice Aikido.”
“The Aikido that I practice is a constructive path, it is for the creation of true human beings. It is not concerned with throwing people. It has no truck with self-indulgence. It is not for the purpose of taking life. It is the way of unifying the mind, body and spirit. All aikidoka must contemplate these truths with all seriousness of mind and heart.”
Maruyama Sensei on the purpose of Kokikai Aikido:
"Everyone has his or her own potential power, own ability, or Ki power. This potential power is always available and can be applied in totality to any situation. Kokikai hopes that you will apply your own full potential to your activities: your job, your home life, etc. Do your best, develop your ability, and then enjoy the fruits of success. Finally, reach out to help others.”
I also belong to Aiki Extensions, a non-profit group established in 1998 to support andbring together those who apply the principles of the Japanese martial art of Aikido in a socially constructive way. I think highly of their endeavors. I was able to help sponsor and facilitate some Middle Eastern aikidoka attend a conference in Cyprus in April 2005. I had strong feelings that getting a group of Middle Eastern aikidoists together to practice could only create bonds among them and would be a positive step in a very devisive region. To this day, I have felt the effort that was one of the more significant accomplishments I had in 2005.
Here are some thoughts, quotes from that effort:
You have proved that the training mat is a perfect tool that helps people forget their hate, understand each other, and even love each other. Palestinian aikido student
Along the way, I met a Jordanian aikidoist, who signed his emails with the phrase ‘When in Doubt -Breathe’. As it became clearer that because of everyone’s efforts, we would succeed, the same student wrote, ‘I do like the fact that each person has many hands to clap with for the sake of this event.’
After the conference, one Palestinian wrote: “I believe that the seminar achieved it's goals, and even went far beyond these goals. You have proved that the training mat is a perfect tool that helps people forget their hate, understand each other, and even love each other. I hope that the seeds of peace that you have planted at this seminar will grow very quickly, so that we will be able to see their positive impacts on our reality.”
All of this has reminded me of the value of our art around the world. It is easy, living in this huge country, to lose sight of what exists beyond our borders. As conditions have deteriorated for many of the conference attendees, feedback has been that aikido has continued to be source of strength for them. It is heartening to think of all these students of the art practicing tsuki-kotegaeshi. learning rolls, advancing through kyus, and most of all training in one-point. It makes the world seem a little smaller and is a source of hope for a centered future.
Click here for a partial reading list of aikido books and books by aikidoists.