AKA Kobayashi Aikido is the style I am currently practicing. It is a second generation style of Aikido (created after Ueshiba Morihei died). That is what I found out tonight, soon, I will investigate further about the styles particularities. Also, I was practicing a technique that was dangerously similar to bagua zhang! And tasty! A… Continue reading Kokusai Aikidō Kenshūkai Kobayashi Hirokazu Ha

On one night, we’re surrounded by a large karate class. On the other, it’s kendo. Each time, the gym is booming with kiais or crashing sticks; but it is not from our side. Slapping skin on mats and the swishing of rolling aikido practitioners is the common sound. In a gym, it can be hard… Continue reading Calm Within the Storm

After a few mediocre lessons I taught at my high school, I finally decided to delve into one of the many mountains of teaching handbooks that was given to me in my orientation for JET, and I think I found a gem that has helped me out lately . After a bit of searching, I… Continue reading 6 Levels of Cognition for Teachers

I have a guessing game for you: What martial art utilizes relaxated techniques, ones issued from the center, requires stable stances, and works regardless of body strength and size? A good one! These are concepts paramount in Aikido, my new endeavor, but of course I’m remembering these same ideas from every teacher I’ve had that… Continue reading Class 2

Seeing as last week I went to visit my first aikido class, this next one was the first class I participated in, and I’m sure its not a dream because my wrists, stomach and back muscles are aching immensely!!! It really is real! And fun as all hell. I was ready to give anything a… Continue reading My REAL First Aikido Lesson

After the anticipation left my imagination run wild in many different directions, I’ve finally been allowed many to dissipate with my first actual encounter with an aikido class. Thanks to advice from my very first sensei a few years back, I just visited and watched my first lesson tonight. The sensei is a policeman I… Continue reading First Aikido Lesson

The word on the street here is, we are experience the most snowfall in Kurobe in about twenty years. On every block there are heavily dressed Japanese of various ages and sizes shoveling snow on every corner, and every car seems to barely avoid a collision with something. The boy students are pushing each other… Continue reading Neverland Seems to be Fading Away

A piece of gravel,Dreams of falling like a leaf,Yet now it must sit.

Thoughts reach to the sky,Drifting up towards the sun,Far they have to fall,

The black monolith,Impenetrable reaching,Jokes surround its base.