Centre attack
It was sometime between 2005-6 that I started to have a deeper look at the idea of centre attack and control. I read quite a bit on WingChung at the inspiration of a friend that had been studying it for …
Category: Peters blog
Art with no enemy
I was training/teaching up north on the weekend and we were exploring advanced aikido principle. I say advanced but really a very basic concept. To be in the here and now both physically and mentally. We say we are, but …
A formless art is an unteachable art
The techniques of Aikido change constantly; every encounter is unique, and the appropriate response should emerge naturally. Today’s techniques will be different tomorrow. Do not get caught up with the form and appearance of a challenge. Aikido has no form …
The role of uke
Why is it, according to just about all his students, when O’Sensei saw training where uke resisted the technique of nage the founder would fly into a rage and scream “that’s not aikido”? Why did kenjutsu shimizu say that, although …
Peters radio interview
Please have a listen to Peter Kelly’s aikido interview with ABC Hobart – click here – it starts just before the 7 minute mark.
Occupy the space in which the attackers intent lies
“Move the totality of the consciousness along the orbital path, finish in hanmi” “Aikido is not about changing the other, but about changing the self” “When the attacker comes they do not exist, and I do not exist” Morihei Ueshiba …
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Honest attack
If you do this……. No matter how good the sensei is, if the person who is attacking is not honest, it is difficult to handle the situation as freely as he would like. If you are honest and give your …
Understanding Uke
When we walk into a dojo for the first time, we should be taught that we are studying a kata. When we learn to roll and fall, this should not be called ukemi, it should just be called rolling and …
Kata
Kata is the vessel that holds the principles. Technique is a way to move to express these principles, it is not a way to fight, the techniques are just expressed movement in a select moment. Training the heart is utmost …
Aikido is not technique
One of the instructors commented the other day that the comments I have posted online were different to the common rhetoric that occupies the Internet forums. I agreed. There are many reasons for this, firstly Aikido is not technique. See …
What it isn’t….
I quite often find myself in deep contemplation regarding Sensei’s teachings. About the essence of the study of Budo, but more importantly, the essence of the study of Yuishinkai. I have decided I hate the word Aikido attached to what …
“Moon shadow foot” and “lizard leg”
Yesterday I was re-reading the founders book that was written as a technical guide. I haven’t actually had this book in my possession for many years as it was on loan. Anyway I was just thinking about 2003. This should …
My uncle Earnest
This paradox of training in Aikido is a difficult one. Over the years I have met all types of people that train for many different types of reasons. Health, spirituality, martial prowess or just to attempt to find that thing …
Fundamentals
I was discussing today with another instructor about an old video that I had posted regarding ukemi. He commented that he had never heard anyone explain what I was demonstrating in the way that I explained it. I get this …
Aikido has nothing to do with the techniques and forms
O-sensei was often angry during his class, saying, “Don’t be contrived.” When we practice the same technique repeatedly and get used to it, we often anticipate the opponents’ moves and block or avoid the technique unnaturally, even unconsciously. He called …
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Nage is the study of the self
Mind isn’t the use of “jedi” tricks. Mind is increasing understanding through bringing totality of awareness into each and every part of every movement at all times. In Aikido, nage is the study of the self. How the body moves …
Where’s the Dog, Ma? A way to fix the current Aiki Crisis
Ueshiba sensei said, “Aikido is 95% perspiration and 5% philosophy.” By saying that, I have said everything.” (A. NOCQUET) It has happened to the art that I love. I suppose that it has happened for quite a while now, but …
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Ainuke, yeah……maybe not
There are very deep philosophical principles hidden in the art of Aikido. These principles aren’t discovered by the Ancient Greek version of philosophical debate, but rather discovered in the forging of the physical body, through hard work and tenacity. Anyone …
Future, Past, present
I have been away with the kids up the north east and have had far too much time on my hands walking on beaches thinking about Aikido, and more importantly, thinking about my role and the future of the art. …
Ai-nuke and Aikido
“To become poisoned by secret teachings is something that occurs in Aikido as well. Instead of looking at their feet (“The feet reveal the secrets of the universe.”Morihei Ueshiba), people look up and imitate sophisticated movements in a pretentious, empty …
Chasing technical efficiency will lead to great disappointment
Chasing and chasing technical efficiency will lead you to great disappointment. The art of aikido is about the self, about how we change who we think we are into who we can be. If you understand basic principles you realise …
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