We would like to bring to your attention that we have recently released a new DVD featuring an Aikido legend, Morihiro Saito Sensei, one of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba’s closest disciples. This exceptional DVD presents never-before-seen footage of Saito Sensei as he appeared in 1991 while teaching a seminar in San Diego, California. Without doubt, this program makes a significant contribution to the steadily growing catalog of techniques of Saito Sensei available on DVD.

With a runtime of 120 minutes, the material covered in this DVD includes the complete series of morotedori kokyuho exercises, numerous ushiro ryotedori and eridori techniques, and—a special treat—the rarely seen ninindori series, advanced techniques against two opponents. Complete English subtitles have been provided to enable viewers to follow in detail Saito Sensei’s instruction.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

We have nearly forty dojos, with a total of about six hundred members. The reason we have grown to be such a large organization is, I believe, due to our use of the seminar system, which began at the Asahi Newspaper Company for teaching groups of students. Originally, the classical martial ways were taught one-on-one, as individual lessons. I suspect that Sokaku Takeda O-Sensei taught on an individual basis as well. However, we could not teach the way it was done in places such as the Asahi Newspaper Dojo, and so we organized things into a seminar-style approach where we gathered together those who wanted to learned and taught them.

“As we become more comfortable in our skins, and understand or accept the workings of our minds and bodies, we have the chance to let each aspect of ourselves work to its fullest potential. Like the free-moving cogs and parts of a well oiled engine, each has its purpose and attributes. Some parts are made from flexible springs, some are hardened polished steel, others are brittle aluminium. Some parts are susceptible to rust, others are unable to withstand impact, and some are incredibly heavy. For an engine to spin over efficiently, the parts work ‘together’… which at times is purposely against each other.”

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We have had many new subscribers since we launched our offer of the free back issue DVD for those subscribing or renewing their subscriptions to the Online Aikido Journal for two years.

Many of you know that this incredible DVD includes 26 years of Aiki News / Aikido Journal, more than 4,300 pages in PDF format to be read on your computer. However, this information-packed DVD also includes several bonuses. Among them is a 4-hour lecture by Stanley Pranin on the history of aikido in mp3 format. This detailed lecture will give you many new perspectives on the life of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba not found in any book.

Here is a 15-minute sample from the lecture.

“In Japanese use of the word, you cannot call yourself sensei. It’s used only by others when they address you or talk about you, if they feel that it is appropriate. That’s wonderful. You are only a teacher if somebody readily admits to being your student, i.e. turns to you in order to learn something. If you insist on teaching without being asked, you are something else.”

Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Sokaku was not in a particular hurry, so if he had not heard of these notorious three bandits, he would have crossed the pass with the other travelers the next morning. However, having just heard the story from the old man, Sokaku disregarded his advice due to his natural sense of justice and spirit of adventure. The pass crossing the mountain was in bad condition and narrow. By the time he reached the summit, he had failed to find even a single bandit. At that point he began to descend. It was gradually becoming darker as the sun had set. Then, as he rounded a curve, he suddenly encountered the so-called three bandits who looked very strong as they carried mountain swords at their waists.

The Human body-mind, the Hito Jinja contains all the forces of the universe whether we are conscious of this or not. Most will remain latent throughout a life.

Existence is a matrix of sorts but much more. Whatever the activity we are required to master the skill of it will enable us to navigate well.

There are some great budoka out there, don’t get me wrong. Articulating what I want to say in words is no small task. I recently got reproached by one such individual I had praised in my writing but apparently, he and his associates had understood it as badmouthing.

Together with the launch of our newest DVD title “Morihiro Saito: Lost Seminars, Part 5,” we are offering a set of all five DVDs of this series for the incredible price of $129.95, a full 35% off the retail price.

Click here to watch an exciting promo clip of the first four DVDs of this great set!

Download trailer for Lost Seminars, Part 5.

See below for detailed information on our newest DVD release!

“The dojo has been attacked, it’s space violated with deliberate force and intention to do harm. Let’s respond to this attack with active, heartfelt Love,” she wrote. ‘Send the dojo love, blessing and light. Send the attacker love, blessing and light.’”

Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Morihei Ueshiba was about 36 years old when he first encountered Onisaburo Deguchi (1919) in Ayabe when diverted from his journey home to Tanabe from Hokkaido at news that his father had been taken seriously ill. After meeting a member of the Omoto sect on the train, Ueshiba decided to make a quick detour to the Omoto Center in Ayabe to meet the “gifted” teacher, Onisaburo and pray for his father’s recovery. Upon his arrival in Tanabe, he found that his efforts were in vane for his father had already died. However, he was so impressed with Onisaburo that shortly thereafter he relocated his family to Ayabe where he proceeded to engage in farming and spiritual training under the tutelage of Deguchi. It was at this time (in the early 1920’s) that he began to teach an early form of what is today known as Aikido with the encouragement of Onisaburo who recognized his extraordinary physical prowess and martial skills. He called the art he was teaching at that time “Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu.

What are you doing! That is NOT Aikido!

I am sure somewhere, someplace, sometime you will either hear that phrase or read that phrase in some article or blog and wonder …. what the hell was going on that made it necessary to say those words.

Ya know, if you practice Aikido then go try Brazilian Jujitsu, which is more often wrestling and grappling than what you do as a practice of Aikido, you wonder … what good is this if a group of people attack, or someone is shooting at me with a gun? And then the people who practice striking arts wonder what the hell aikido people are doing with all that falling, throwing, and letting people use you as a human crash-test dummy for their practice, why aren’t there any kicks, strikes, or more violent techniques applied?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support over the years. 2008 was an exciting and productive year. We are now in our fourth decade of publishing and hope to grow with you for many more years as we walk together down the Aiki Path. On behalf of myself and the staff of Aikido Journal, I would like to wish you and yours a happy and fulfilling 2009!

Stanley Pranin
Editor, Aikido Journal