Episodes

Episode 29: How to Select a Dojo and Getting Out of Our Own Way 04.03.2019 1:09:50

In this episode, recorded in studio, Valadez Sensei discusses how to select a dojo and the role that Shoshin, Beginner's Mind, or humility, plays in our training success. As with preceding podcasts, this topic is used to elaborate upon common assumptions and expectations in training, as well as to discuss some of assumptions and expectations that often go unsaid and unnoticed. For further informat...

Episode 28: Warrior Mindset for Training, Asocial Violence, and Life 24.02.2019 30:50

In this episode, recorded on the mat, Valadez Sensei discusses how training requires and cultivates "Fudoshin," the Immoveable Mind. For further information, please visit www.senshincenter.com, follow us on Facebook.com/senshincenter, or view over 400 videos and hours of information on our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/senshinone.

Episode 27: Osensei's 1932 Interview, "A Leap of the Spirit - Emergence of the Superhuman." 19.02.2019 2:14:26

In this episode, recorded in studio, Valadez Sensei reads and comments upon Christopher Li's translation of an interview Osensei did in 1932. To date, this is the earliest known interview done by Osensei. The interview was done by Kanzou Miura and contained within the article, "A Leap of Spirit - Emergence of the Superhuman." Valadez Sensei also begins his larger upcoming effort to draw a distinct...

Episode 26: What is Center and Center-Power? (Kokyu-Ryoku and Aiki) 11.02.2019 1:05:39

In this episode, recorded in studio, Valadez Sensei answers a question from an Aikidoka in Iran: What is Center and Center-Power, and how does one develop it? Here are some videos on cultivating these body-mind skills: https://youtu.be/gy_VPj3iXMQ https://youtu.be/FJZ4T4xdRlc https://youtu.be/UYagbAefTGs https://youtu.be/PTa-s-NpDHo https://youtu.be/w2D09opTASk https://youtu.be/ByKspoSMqtg https:/...

Episode 25: "The History of Thought and Jiyu Waza" 04.02.2019 1:37:23

In this episode, recorded in studio, Valadez Sensei discusses the History of Thought as it pertains to East Asian Pre-Modern epistemology and discourse, and on how this impacts our understanding and misunderstanding of Jiyu Waza, Shu-Ha-Ri, and Takemusu Aiki. Please check out our multiple videos on Jiyu Waza on our YouTube Channel (Senshinone). For further information, please visit www.senshincent...

Episode 24: Osensei's "Kannagara no Jutsu" 02.02.2019 53:43

In this episode, recorded in studio, Valadez Sensei reads and comments upon Osensei's "Kannagara no Jutsu," in English, "The Art that is in Accordance with God." This speech given by Osensei helps clarify his position on his own practice and on the purpose of martial arts training. It is highly recommended that you also listen to Episode 20, "Osensei's 1962 Radio Interview," in conjunction with th...

Episode 23: "The Technology of Violence in Traditional Budo Training" 21.01.2019 49:03

In this episode, recorded on the mat, Valadez Sensei discusses with his deshi the traditional use of violence in Budo training, how it has functioned as part of the self-transformation process historically, the difficulty in its continuous usage, and whether or not it remains viable in a contemporary pedagogy. The listener will also gain additional insight into what constitutes a Budo practice and...

Episode 22: "Training and the Problem of Seeing" 13.01.2019 44:37

In this episode, Valadez Sensei is asked by his deshi to comment upon the "problem of seeing," the early-on incapacity to see what one is looking at in the teacher's demonstration or his/her technique, etc. The discussion followed a class working on application concepts in Kote-Gaeshi Kihon Waza. For a video of this class, see: https://youtu.be/RlTbIs3Dqkc ("Aikido: Kote Gaeshi Application Concept...

Episode 21: "Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now, and Budo" 06.01.2019 39:50

In this episode, Valadez Sensei is asked by his deshi to comment upon the similarities and differences between Tolle's teachings and Budo. For further information, please visit www.senshincenter.com, Facebook.com/senshincenter, or view over 400 videos and hours of information on our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/senshinone

Episode 20: "Osensei's 1962 Radio Interview" 03.01.2019 2:17:09

In this episode, Valadez Sensei reads and comments upon Osensei's 1962 radio interview - available on Aikido Journal. This is an in-studio recording. For further information, please visit www.senshincenter.com, Facebook.com/senshincenter, or view over 400 videos and hours of information on our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/senshinone

Episode 19" "Strength and Budo" 27.12.2018 1:05:12

In this episode, Valadez Sensei is alone and on the mat, talking about the importance of cultivating strength in Budo training. For further information, please visit www.senshincenter.com, Facebook.com/senshincenter, or view over 400 videos and hours of information on our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/senshinone

Episode 18: "Budo: The Church of Fear" 24.12.2018 28:42

In this episode, Valadez Sensei speaks on the mat following a class that generated fear and its associated unconsciousness in his deshi. Valadez Sensei discusses Budo as a "technology of the self" that specializes in the reconciliation of fear. For further information, please visit www.senshincenter.com, Facebook.com/senshincenter, or view over 400 videos and hours of information on our YouTube Ch...

Episode 17: "The Asceticism of Budo" 17.12.2018 25:03

In this episode, Valadez Sensei speaks on how to make the most of one's practice, how to instill it with life-changing meaning, and how to bring asceticism into one's Budo. For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/SenshinCenter, or view over 400 videos and hours of information on our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/SenshinOne

Episode 16: "Practice Makes Permanent & The Mentor Catalyst" 26.11.2018 36:37

In this episode, Valadez Sensei discusses with his deshi the truth that "practice makes permanent" (vs. the fallacy "practice makes perfect), and the technological role the mentor plays as a catalyst for self-transformation in the face of this truth. For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/SenshinCenter, or youtube.com/SenshinOne

Episode 15: "What is Aikido?" 24.11.2018 1:38:16

In this episode, Valadez Sensei, using his post-graduate studies, discusses East Asian Cultural and Religious History, its impact on Japan, Japanese Martial Arts, and Osensei, while reflecting upon the question, "What is Aikido?" For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/SenshinCenter, or youtube.com/SenshinOne

Episode 14: "The Way of Deconstructing Struggle (Aiki)" 13.11.2018 51:39

In this episode, Valadez Sensei has a discussion with deshi following a zazen session. The discussion focuses in on the skills of release and non-contestation and on how to practice them in our training as a whole. For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/SenshinCenter, or youtube.com/SenshinOne

Episode 13: "Reflections on How to Run a Successful Dojo." (Part II) 29.10.2018 1:45:55

In this episode, Valadez Sensei reads and discusses in studio part one of his writing, "How to Run a Successful Dojo." He elaborates on the effects of current commercial trends, concepts of truth and expertise, as well as the effects that social media and popular culture have on the transmission of traditional Budo. For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/Senshin...

Episode 12: The "Dressage Pony" Uke, "Tethering the Monkey Mind," and Commitment 01.10.2018 31:59

Welcome to Budo: The Way of the Warrior Podcast. These podcasts are a collection of historical and philosophical references, contemplations, lectures and exchanges with David M. Valadez, his students and guests. This episode follows a training on creating torque throughout the body of uke. The class can be seen at this link: https://youtu.be/-jLoi2uEyvI

Episode 11: "Jiyu Waza - The Heart of Budo Training." 04.09.2018 29:00

Welcome to Budo: The Way of the Warrior Podcast. These podcasts are a collection of historical and philosophical references, contemplations, lectures and exchanges with David M. Valadez, his students and guests. This episode follows a training session in Jiyu Waza. The class and the related coaching can be seen at this link: https://youtu.be/N6YhJWJI6vI. For further information, please visit www....

Episode 10: Working Toward Spontaneity of Art (Takemusu Aiki) 14.05.2018 19:36

Welcome to Budo: The Way of the Warrior Podcast. These podcasts are a collection of historical and philosophical references, contemplations, lectures and exchanges with David M. Valadez, his students and guests. This episode follows a training session utilizing live training environments. The training environment consisted of a starting point of katate dori but then permitted Uke the use of all av...

Episode 9: "Reflections on How to Run a Successful Dojo." (Part 1) 18.04.2018 1:11:44

Episode 8 11.04.2018 52:42

Welcome to Budo: The Way of the Warrior Podcast. These podcasts are a collection of historical and philosophical references, contemplations, lectures and exchanges with David M. Valadez, his students and guests. This episode: For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/SenshinCenter, or youtube.com/SenshinOne

Episode 7 02.04.2018 52:27

Welcome to Budo: The Way of the Warrior Podcast. These podcasts are a collection of historical and philosophical references, contemplations, lectures and exchanges with David M. Valadez, his students and guests. This episode: "Buddhahood is a skill." For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/SenshinCenter, or youtube.com/SenshinOne

Episode 6 21.03.2018 37:16

Welcome to Budo: The Way of the Warrior Podcast. These podcasts are a collection of historical and philosophical references, contemplations, lectures and exchanges with David M. Valadez, his students and guests. For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/SenshinCenter, or youtube.com/SenshinOne

Episode 5 12.03.2018 24:10

Welcome to Budo: The Way of the Warrior Podcast. These podcasts are a collection of historical and philosophical references, contemplations, lectures and exchanges with David M. Valadez, his students and guests. This episode is on what it means to follow A Way. For further information, please visit www. SenshinCenter.com, Facebook.com/SenshinCenter, or youtube.com/SenshinOne