CHANGES

2018 rapidly comes to a close. Looking back, this has been a transformative year.  Thanks to new leadership and new ideas, Portland Aikikai found a new home, became a non-profit organization, and elected a board of directors. These are all positive changes: growth. Growth is a powerful metaphor. We grow from children to adults. Expanding skills andContinue reading “CHANGES”

PUNCH TO THE FACE

A punch to the face is what Mulligan sensei called a high affect encounter – jodan tsuki scares most people. Jodan and jodan tsuki are both covered in earlier posts. This morning presented the classic Karate punch, meaning the fist is twisted at the final contact and the elbow is turned point out, forearm parallelContinue reading “PUNCH TO THE FACE”

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”