All martial artists progress, but only some progress to the point where they internalize what they learn to achieve a high degree of prowess. How do you you do it? This podcast talks about why, when, and how should you do it. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypa…

Our discussion covers many reasons why martial arts become too specialized, sometimes to their detriment. How do we spot it and what can we do to make sure our art doesn't become impractical or irrelevant. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr…

An in depth conversation with a long time aikido instructor who trained under some of O'sensei's primary students. We talk about how aikido and training has changed over the long span of time and under different influences. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.…

It is widely acknowledged that strikes (atemi) are a crucial aspect of aikido, based on quotes from Morehei Ueshiba and other shihan. Are we looking at striking comprehensively in our aikido training? This podcast gives you some perspectives to consider when it comes to striking and how it applies to aikido. For more information about Spirit Aikido…

The weapons of aikido (tanto, bokken, and jo) seem integral to aikido, but is that true and does how these are trained benefit or detract from aikido's image and reputation? This podcast goes in depth with many points to examine and think about for how you think about weapons training. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spirita…

We cover a variety of topics about aikido and its future, including suggestions from members of the Aikido: the Martial Side forum. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG…

Aikido often claims to value de-escalation as a core value. It is a crucial self-defense skill, but is it included in our training and how do we do that? We discuss this in depth, and provide some suggestions for how to look at integrating conflict management skills from a practical standpoint. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http:…

We discuss the future of Yoshinkan aikido, and the material shared in the first of three conversations posted on the Aikido Shudokan YouTube channel. Link to that discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4xiIFRRCCg&t=17s&ab_channel=AikidoShudokan For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal …

The martial arts are going through a major evolution in a number of ways currently. Our discussion covers how this affects dojos and practitioners alike. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG…

How would you approach forming a new dojo or looking at your current dojo's training and practices with an eye on how to improve? What traditions would you keep, lose, or change? For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_butto…

Our discussion dives deep and covers an examination of many aspects of how we can adjust aikido's martial future. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG…

Martial arts training must include a live element to develop applicable skills and discover deficiencies. Our discussion covers how to approach this, and how not to approach it. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button…

Our discussion covers many aspects of the relationship between aikido and grappling, including whether aikido is a grappling art. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG…

S2E9- Final Episode Of Season 2 by Aikido: DiscussedAv Aikido: Discussed

Striking is often overlooked or omitted from aikido. Was this always the case? We discuss this topic as well as bringing striking back and integrating it with aikido training. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_i…

S2E8- Aikido Vs. BJJ Ultimate Show Down by Aikido: DiscussedAv Aikido: Discussed

S2E7- Context And Aikido by Aikido: DiscussedAv Aikido: Discussed

Etiquette is used both as a method for showing respect and for safe practices. Etiquette and respect can go too far and create a negative experience, sometimes driving people away. In this discussion, we take on the elephant in the room of when it can go too far. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoo…

We discuss adjusting your training to make your aikido more martially viable, useful and practical for self-defense. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG…

Our discussion goes into depth about the widely held belief that aikido is purely defensive in nature. Is it fact or myth - or somewhere in between? Edit: My apologies. The intro from the previous episode is at the beginning, but the interview is the one with Ellis Amdur, not Remy Helgesen. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://sp…

Misunderstandings and myths about what violence is, how it goes, and how to handle it are common among martial artists of all kinds. We discuss real violence and how understanding it better positively affects our martial arts training. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https:/…

We discuss Dunken's video series, going into the topics he covers in greater detail. Aikido of Silverdale's playlist of the video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA520V4pOPWKrvo27LauSOC8qiPQKH7hK For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/w…

It is often said of aikido that it doesn't require strength. Is this strictly true? Not necessarily. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBGAv Tristan Chermack

All arts evolve, sometimes for good and sometimes not. Steven Scott and I discuss how martial arts training are evolving, both for good and bad. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonline Paypal tipjar: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG…

There are many times in history when martial arts changed significantly. From how arts evolved in terms of function, as well as how they are perceived by the public, these changes in the times led to revolutions in how the martial arts were practiced and how they became popular - or lost their popularity. Are we currently at such a point in history…

All arts have great things to offer, but also have their drawbacks. We go through a number of martial arts and provide an overview breakdowns of their advantages and weaknesses. These can give you ideas for good arts to cross train in or which art(s) which may suit your own particular interests. For more information about Spirit Aikido Online: http…

It is often taught that Aikido's heritage was the ancient Japanese battlefield, where it's techniques were born. Is this true? This episode is a conversation which is a follow up to the previous episode (ep. 167) with Ellis Amdur where he goes into the history of aikido back as far as Sokaku Takeda. In this episode, we go back much farther into Jap…