PAIN AS A TEACHER

I learned of Abraham Wald from Jordan Ellenberg’s How Not To be Wrong.[1] It is a story well worth reading because it provides a poignant reminder of the power of thinking critically. During WW2, Wald was part of the Statistical Research Group working through real-time problems to make strategic decisions. Among the questions posed to the groupContinue reading “PAIN AS A TEACHER”

KEYS TO EFFECTIVE TRAINING

The keys to effective training – these are the ‘secrets’ of any art. The more I study and train, the easier it is to see connections where I once saw only differences: Moving beyond techniques to see concepts; to see connections among the arts. The metaphor of a ‘key’ is a powerful one – for meContinue reading “KEYS TO EFFECTIVE TRAINING”

CREATING TEACHERS – CHRIS MULLIGAN

Mulligan sensei when we last communicated, you mentioned: I just had a discussion with Malory Graham sensei (of Seattle Aikikai) and we were discussing some of the reasons that Aikido membership in the States is declining.  She believes, and I agree, that it is mainly bad teaching.  To be a good teacher, you first have to haveContinue reading “CREATING TEACHERS – CHRIS MULLIGAN”