Aikido Technique Videos and Self Defense Training

A nice piece by Jason Gray on the pros and cons of mixed-discipline training. In point fighting there is a “strike first and win” mentality that allows you to disregard the loss of both tactical and...

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After repeated requests, we are finally ready to start offering instruction in the Japanese art of sword drawing called Iaido. Iaido (pronounced 'ee'-'yai'-'doh') is the traditional Japanese art of drawing, cutting, and retracting the Japanese samurai sword or 'katana.' The word Iaido literally translates as "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction." Iaido is a distinct, non-combative form of martial arts intended to cultivate a practitioner's spirit. Like Aikido, Iaido is purely a defensive martial practice.

Iaido classes will be taught by sixth degree black belt, Hideki Iwakabe Sensei. Iwakabe Sensei was born in Japan and has trained in the martial arts from his early youth. Thus, he was raised with the true spirit of Bushido, the code of ethical conduct of the Samurai based on personal valor, honesty, integrity, and patience. Iwakabe Sensei holds black belts in Shotokan Karate, Kendo, Iaido, and Judo. In 1975, Iwakabe Sensei returned to Japan to study Iaido with 9th degree black belt, Master Danzaki Tomoaki Hanshi. Two years later, Iwakabe Sensei, began teaching Muso-Shinden-Ryu Iaido.

Beginning in April, Iaido classes will be held Thursday evenings from 7pm - 9pm. Castle Rock AIKIDO students will receive a substantial tuition discount for training Iaido. You do not have to be an Aikido student to participate in these classes. Iaido is a great martial art for adults of any age. For more information, please call us immediately at (720) 221-3665. Class size is very limited.

I recently published a trilogy of works which could broadly be subsumed under verbal aikido/de-escalation of aggression. There are two versions: one for social services professionals (not necessarily clinical interventions - most of the info is equally applicable to someone who works in everything from the medical field to a homeless shelter or soup kitchen and the second version of the trilogy is for families who live with an aggressive or mentally ill family member.

I will say that the majority of the information in the books is universally applicable, not just for social services people - particularly the professional version of Centering and about 2/3 of the info in Grace Under Fire

Having used several katana in my pursuit of ken-jutsu, I wanted to share my review of the Tea Culture katana from CAS Hanwei. To date, the Tea Culture katana is one of the nicest blades I've had the pleasure of using. At about 29.5", it feels good in the hand, not too heavy and not too light with a nice balance. The furniture is also quite nice, I especially like the "battle wrap" tsuka. The only gripe I have on the overall package is that there appears to be a scratch in the suede ito wrapping, it came this way and is unfortunate. Other than that, I'm quite pleased with the Tea Culture katana.

Now for some pictures.

Train with five Senior Sensei's on one day. The styles represented will be Kyu Shin Do - Ray Eder 5th dan Buikukai Aikido - Adam Cooper 3rd dan Institute of Aikido - Dunken Francis 4th dan Sounji...

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