Many Aikido practitioners struggle with Iriminage, especially when their partner feels immovable. In this post, we explore a game-changing approach—shifting from stiff to relaxed contact on the shoulder—to create seamless, powerful throws. Learn how to refine your technique!

Are you or your students stuck in predictable Aikido patterns? This Iriminage variation, featured in our Aikido Summer Seminar, challenges practitioners to stay adaptable and sharpens both execution and ukemi skills. Discover how breaking routine can elevate your training!

Discover how kokyu ho training can refine your Aikido skills by helping you engage your center more effectively. In this blog, we break down a progressive sequence of exercises—lying down, sitting, and standing—to develop balance, posture, and fluid movement.

Explore advanced tachidori techniques in this session from our New Year’s seminar at the Los Angeles dojo.

This blog highlights key insights and drills that can inspire and elevate your Aikido practice. Whether you're seasoned or looking for a challenge, this session delivers!

Explore tachidori (sword takeaway techniques) in this blog post inspired by my New Year’s seminar. After honing our jo techniques, we shifted to tachidori, bringing fresh challenges and opportunities for growth. Discover how these techniques can refine your Aikido practice.

Delve into the spiral principles of Aikido as we explore advanced jo techniques and their application to empty-hand waza. Discover how using your arm like the jo itself can elevate your practice and deepen your understanding of Aikido’s core principles.

Learn to apply spiral and fulcrum principl...

Discover the spiral dynamics within Aikido’s jo kata from my New Year’s seminar in Los Angeles. Learn how two simultaneous spirals can enhance your tsuki, improve your empty-hand technique, and deepen your overall Aikido practice. This principle, once understood, can transform your throws and unl...

Kubishime sankyo is rarely part of the weekly dojo curriculum, but it deepens our Aikido practice and may be included in one of our tests. So the importance is obvious.

In this post, we explore a seminar where these techniques were refined, focusing on kubishime kokyunage and sankyo.

Whether you'r...

Join me for an in-depth breakdown of Ushiro Ryotedori techniques—Kokyunage jo and Shihonage—from my New Year’s Aikido seminar in Los Angeles.

This post delves into the proper ways to invite and offer attacks, key refinements in technique, and how to elevate your Aikido practice.

Perfect for pra...

At my New Year’s seminar in Los Angeles, we delved into Yamaguchi Sensei's profound "heavy connection" principle. Drawing from the teachings of Takeda Shihan, Yamashima Sensei, and other Aikido masters, we explored how this skill can elevate your practice, whether you’re uke or nage.

This blog b...

In Aikido, shoulder tension can be a common barrier to effective technique, especially in tenchinage. In this post, we’ll explore insights from my New Year’s Aikido seminar in Los Angeles. Discover how to use weight shifting and relaxation to improve your tenchinage and kokyunage, helping you cre...

In this blog post, we delve into the nuances of Katadori Kokyunage. Drawing from my recent New Year's seminar in Los Angeles, I explore Katadori Kokyunage, while also sharing tips for working with beginners and refining one's own technique. Don't miss out on the insights that can take your Aikido...