Aikido Technique Videos and Self Defense Training

I know the match-up is a bit biased but in slow motion it does look quite interesting. Check it out and enjoy.

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.

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.

People think light of basics and are attracted to fancy techniques. Also, nowadays one cannot be regarded as good unless he does fancy things. Otherwise a teacher won’t attract students. It’s wrong for a martial artist to try to make a living from students’ tuition by teaching budo. A martial artist shouldn’t be worried about his personal financial situation. Otherwise, he will end up giving ranks to weak students, or if someone brings him something he will give him special treatment and be biased in his favor.

From Aikido Online:

“Josef Birdsong is Chief Instructor of Aikido of Austin in Austin, Texas. An Aikido practitioner for 36 years, he is a 5th Dan and a USAF Shidoin. He holds a master’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He studied with Akira Tohei Shihan from 1974 until Tohei Sensei’s death in 1999. Birdsong Sensei helped found Aikido of Austin in 1984. This interview was conducted in May 2007 in Austin, Texas. Leah Nelson is a student at Aikido of Austin, and a member of the editorial staff of Aikido Online.”

Aikido Journal Editor Stanley Pranin attended the San Francisco Aikido Project hosted by the Suginami Aikikai last weekend from June 19-22, 2008. This outstanding event was organized by Dojo-cho James Friedman and featured Christian Tissier Sensei, 7th dan, from Paris, France and Bruce Bookman Sensei, 6th dan, from Seattle, Washington. Prof. Clovis Silva was also on hand to give workshops in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Susannah Bruder conducted yoga classes.

Tissier and Bookman Senseis are both excellent teachers counting among their influences Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei in the case of the former, and T.K. Chiba Sensei in the case of the latter. Parenthetically, both were participants in the Aikido Journal-sponsored Aiki Expo 2005.

Taken from the book "Aikido - A beginner's Guide" The History of Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido 1883 Morihei Ueshiba born December 14 in Tanabe, Kishu (Wakayama Prefecture). Father,...

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The only book authored by Shoji Nishio Sensei, one of the most important instructors of the postwar era, Yurusu Budo, is one of the best-selling titles in our Aiki Store. In fact, we have had trouble keeping it in stock because each shipment seems to be gobbled up by customers faster than anticipated.

We would also like to bring to your attention that you may purchase all three of Nishio Sensei’s DVDs together with the Yurusu Aikido book as a set at a 25% discount. We have posted a series of 10 screen shots from this set to give you an idea of the outstanding quality and contents of these DVDs.

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.

As a teenager I had studied judo and karate but neither captured my spirit. I had heard of aikido and wanted to try it. So, after graduating from high school, I made my way to the Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo which my brother had told me about. That was in about 1966 and Soke Shioda was teaching there. I recall the respectful and warm manner in which I was greeted and the way all the aikidoka’s shoes were neatly lined up. I felt there was a great spirit there. Somehow it struck me at once that true budo was being practiced here and this is what I had been looking for. I quickly joined as a regular student.

People train Aikido for many reasons. Some imagine they are going to “get” something that is more that what other mortals have and herein lies the fall from which no ukemi can save you.

YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!

We are pleased to announce the re-release of 2 DVDs and an excellent book titled Kata: The Essence of Bujutsu Karate by Kenji Ushiro Sensei, well-known Japanese karateka, author, educator, trainer, and inventor. Ushiro Sensei’s connection with Aiki News / Aikido Journal goes back more than a decade. Ushiro Sensei has offered a continuous stream of positive input to the aikido world through his books and seminars, and his appearances at the Aiki Expo in the USA. He has undertaken to encourage the practitioners of the aikido to return the art to its martial roots while preserving a high ethical level and emphasis on personal development.

These DVDs each running over an hour are full of close-up action and detailed explanations with English subtitles throughout to accomodate an international audience.