Kamae

Kamae

With a slight nod or perhaps a quick gesture that seemed part welcoming and part commanding, Kimeda Sensei would indicate his uke for the next technique. His typical custom was to not play favourites. He would start with the highest ranking black belt and work down in...
The Gift of Receiving

The Gift of Receiving

“When you give yourself, you receive more than you give.”Antoine De Saint-Exupery The act of giving a gift is a far more complicated undertaking than it might first appear. At a glance, it seems to be a fairly one-sided affair. You decide to give someone a...
Top 10 Reasons to Study Aikido

Top 10 Reasons to Study Aikido

Studying Aikido, a Japanese martial art, can offer numerous benefits. If you are preparing to start your martial arts journey and are wondering which style is right for you, here are the top 10 reasons to study Aikido (in no particular order). #1 Self-Defence: ...
Martial Arts Mindset

Martial Arts Mindset

What is your martial arts mindset?  When people set out to train in martial arts, they typically have some preconceived ideas about what they will learn and why they want to train.   But sometimes there can be a disconnect between the mindset of the art they...
Agatsu – Mindfulness in Martial Arts

Agatsu – Mindfulness in Martial Arts

One of the martial arts terms that has always resonated with me is “Agatsu”. A term that has much to do with mindfulness in martial arts and unlocking the real power in our training.   I remember discovering the term at the beginning of my Aikido studies ,...