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One thing that has become apparent at our dojo over recent years, is that we are only ever responsible for ourselves. By that I mean; no matter how we are grabbed, or how our uke is behaving, we are practising not getting involved with their actions. Instead, the focus is on remaining present, completely balanced and in the moment despite our partner’s emotions or, at times, their lack of ukemi. At no point are we trying to enter if our partner is pulling back, or tenkan if t

Like so many practices, Aikido contains many levels of understanding. Let us take the phrase Masakatsu Agatsu  — “true victory is victory over oneself” and examine it on three different levels. A basic level of understanding When we first encounter the phrase “true victory is victory over oneself”, it is often understood in a very practical way. We may interpret it as learning to regulate our thoughts and desires, letting go of bad habits and cultivating healthier ones. It ca

The Posture Of Presence Over the last year, I’ve been thinking about how my posture affects my mental focus — and how something so simple can bring me back to a more centred feeling. I first noticed this in my Aikido practice. If I lean too far forwards, it not only affects my balance but also reveals something subtle inside — an intention to throw my partner from a dualistic state of me versus you , rather than moving as one. When intention becomes too strong, I tip forward

The Most Deflating Moment Of My Aikido Life When I look back on my Aikido journey, one moment stands out — and not for the reasons you might expect. It wasn’t a triumph, a breakthrough, or a beautiful technique. It was the moment I passed my black belt grading. After a long week of training at summer school, my body was broken. My knee had gone completely, strapped up and aching with every movement. I was in so much pain for my grading and adding to my discomfort was my Uke w

Aikido – Does It Work On The Streetz?! There’s an endless debate online about whether Aikido is “effective.” People continually ask: Does it work on the streets? Could it hold up in a real fight? I sometimes wonder if the question itself needs reframing. Instead of asking whether it works in a fight, perhaps we should ask: “Can I bring my Aikido practice into daily life?” And, most importantly: “Can I live in a way where conflict no longer arises?” I believe the essence of Ai

Beyond the Cut: What Weapons Practice Really Teaches Us When I first started Aikido, I was drawn to the idea of training with weapons. The thought of owning my own Japanese samurai sword and being someone who could swoosh it around looking like a hard nut – I’m embarrassed to say – had a certain appeal. As my understanding of Aikido’s principles developed, I came to see weapons practice as a tool to help refine my form and apply the movements to taijutsu  (empty-handed practi

Aikido & Non-Duality As my Aikido practice has deepened, I’ve had time to reflect on the initial thoughts and preconceptions that first drew me to the art. When I started, I immersed myself in reading about O’Sensei and watching as many videos of him as I could find. I noticed something striking - O’Sensei moved differently to all of his students, he seemed to embody something beyond form and technique. I think the photo below embodies this beautifully. My understanding is th

A Journey Into Aikido: From Health Goals To Lifelong Practice Upon turning 30, I realised that I was at the point in my life where I needed to take control of my health. I didn’t want to reach 40 or 50 and find myself so unhealthy that it affected my quality of life. I felt that if I made changes now, perhaps I could maintain the good health that I had so far taken for granted. I had never been particularly sporty, but I remembered enjoying martial arts as a child. I briefly