Merci, Guy Lafleur. Guy Lafleur passed away last week … A sad day for hockey. When I heard the news, my thoughts immediately turned towards my childhood. I could see Lafleur charging down the ice — he played right wing — hair flowing, finessing his way through the opposition, scoring, smiling, celebrating. He was aContinue reading “Aiki Soku Seikatsu”
Author Archives: hanspdegroot
Let’s Get Clinical: 7 Tips for a Meaningful Aikido Clinic
Chris Johnston Sensei and Paul Gagliano Sensei (Aikido Shindokan dojo) recently made a trip up to AYC Ottawa to deliver a Kigami Biraki clinic. Although I couldn’t join in the trip to visit Hans De Groot Sensei, the event inspired me to reflect on some of the clinics I’ve attended, with guest teachers from Vancouver,Continue reading “Let’s Get Clinical: 7 Tips for a Meaningful Aikido Clinic”
Why Study Aikido?
Why would anyone study something like Aikido? It’s an interesting question in a world inundated with martial arts clubs that profess to turn you into a back-alley bruiser or that dazzle you with tall shiny trophies all lined up attractively in their store fronts. It’s certainly a question I am asked every time a potentialContinue reading “Why Study Aikido?”
Kihon Dosa: The Basics of Basics
In Yoshinkan Aikido, the Kihon Dosa are considered to be a distillation of the key physical skills and principles inherent in everything we do. They include: Tai no Henko, Hiriki no Yosei, and Shumatsu Dosa. Each of these has a #1 and a #2, so this gives 6 movements altogether. They can be performed solo or in pairs. The #1Continue reading “Kihon Dosa: The Basics of Basics”
Meditation and Aikido Training – Combating the “Four Sicknesses”
In my previous blog post I spoke about how to perform a basic breath meditation circuit. This time I would like to look at how this type of breath training is relevant to Aikido training. Developing a relaxed breathing pattern is the only way to connect your mind with your body to allow them toContinue reading “Meditation and Aikido Training – Combating the “Four Sicknesses””
Mushin
The term MUSHIN is referenced in zen meditation as well as martial arts texts, and translates to “empty mind”. Working to develop a Mushin state of mind means that one’s thoughts pass like clouds in the sky, where the mind observes them but does not follow them. This allows the mind to to be unboundContinue reading “Mushin”
Ma-ai
There is a photo that hangs unassumingly in the living room of one of today’s top Yoshinkan Aikido instructors. In a social media world awash with depictions of self-aggrandizement, one reason that this photo stands out is because you are not likely to find it online. It is one of my favourite martial arts photos.Continue reading “Ma-ai”
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 , when I was devouring all the informationContinue reading “Agatsu – Mindfulness in Martial Arts”
Heijoshin
Members of Aikido Yoshinkai Canada who have been with Kimeda Sensei over the years know that until 2017 one of the hallmarks of his teaching was his weekly Kenshu class. Kenshu are intensive study and training classes and while we did not always leave these classes sweating from physical exertion, we did leave them mentallyContinue reading “Heijoshin”
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 succession through the seniors. This approach avoided theContinue reading “Kamae”