The Aiki Dojo Podcast

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Andrew Blevins Sensei and the Path of the Deshi In Episode 83 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ito Sensei interviews Andrew Blevins Sensei from Kiryu Aikido about the book he wrote: Path of the Deshi. In this episode they discuss the concepts of being an otomo, a student, and a deshi. Let us know what you think and how any of these roles have impacted your training. Get the book h...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Aikido and Swordsmanship  In Episode 82 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ken Watanabe Shihan discusses his experience with swordsmanship and his Aikido training. Watanabe Shihan is 6th Dan in Aikido and 5th Dan in Muso Shinden-ryu Iaido. He brings a unique perspective on swordsmanship that was forged studying under Rev. Kensho Furuya since the late 1980s.  Enjoy! W...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Edgar Johansson Sensei and Budo vs. Bullshido  In Episode 81 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ito Sensei interviews Edgar Johansson Sensei from Denver Aikikai. Johansson Sensei started Aikido in 1990 and has built up an impressive resume of teacher that he has actually studied under. Johansson Sensei is a seeker who is interested in not only the deeper philosophical aspects of Aik...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Martial Arts Movies and Their Role in Training In Episode 80 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss martial arts movies and their role in training. Ito Sensei gives a few of his favorite films and explains the martial concepts in others. In this video, he will talk about icons from Bruce Lee to Steven Seagal.  He will also talk about these movies/tv shows:  Heroes with Vincen...

The The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Aikido Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales In Episode 79 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss a few of the myths in Aikido training. Some of these myths are allegorical teachings that students must train to find out for themselves the real meanings. Others are tall tales that have survived over time. Tune in and listen to find out what is real and what is really going on.  ...

The The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Dojo Culture  In Episode 78 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss dojo culture. Is it true that birds of a feather flock together or that one bad apple spoils the bunch? Is dojo culture crucial? If so, who creates this culture? Tune in and find out.   Enjoy!     Watch this episode here:  https://youtu.be/YIxSQM3nGmA The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to tran...

The The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Aikido as Self-defense In Episode 77 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ito Sensei and Yoshida Sensei discuss Aikido as a form of self-defense. Is Aikido a form of fighting or combat? It it a viable means of self-defense? Should it be used as a form of self-defense? Tune to find out.  For more information about Yoshida Sensei contact him at: glennyoshida@gmail.co...

The The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Coming Back to Training After a Long Layoff In Episode 76 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ito Sensei discusses coming back to practice after a long layoff. There are so many factors that go into someone quitting and even more to them coming back. Ito Sensei discusses his point of view of how to rejoin training and what it takes to come back.  Enjoy! Watch this episode here: ...

The The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion About Budo Renshu With Glenn Yoshida Sensei In Episode 75 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Glenn Yoshida Sensei from Renshinkan Dojo shares he thoughts on O’Sensei’s book Budo Renshu. Budo Renshu is a book published by Morihei Ueshiba in the late 1930s. It features drawings of the execution of his techniques before Aikido became “Aikido.” In English the book is ti...

The The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Ken Watanabe Shihan's 5 Things All Beginners Should be Working on In Episode 74 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ken Watanabe Shihan gives 5 things that he thinks all beginners should be working on. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/xnNLftPYwLo The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the mode...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Part 2 of an Interview with Jay Dunkelman Sensei In Episode 73 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, this is the second part of Ito Sensei’s interview of Jay Dunkelman Sensei of Kuwamori dojo in Japan. Kuwamori dojo was the first dojo created outside of Hombu dojo in the early 1950s. Dunkelman Sensei moved to Japan in 1977 and was a long time student of Chiba Sensei.  Enjoy!     Watch...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - An Interview with Jay Dunkelman Sensei In Episode 72 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ito Sensei interviews Jay Dunkelman Sensei of Kuwamori dojo in Japan. Kuwamori dojo was the first dojo created outside of Hombu dojo in the early 1950s. Dunkelman Sensei moved to Japan in 1977 and was a long time student of Chiba Sensei. Enjoy! Listen to this episode here: https://youtu.be/82l7WS...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - The Beginner’s Ego In Episode 71 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we begin a series of discussions on beginners. This particular episode deals with the ego and the beginner. Should a beginner have an ego? What is the role of the ego in training? How to recognize the ego. Tune in and find out the answers to the questions and much much more. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://y...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - The Roll of the Uke In Episode 70 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we have a discussion about the uke . The uke is the one who “receives” the technique. From the outside looking in, the uke seems like just a throwing dummy. However, the uke’s role is much more than just rolling or setting someone up to look good. Tune in and find out how important the role of the uke is to develop...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Should we Cross Train in Other Martial Arts? In Episode 69 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we have a discussion on what martial arts, arts, or practices compliment Aikido. Should we cross train in other martial arts or arts? Do other styles compliment Aikido or does Aikido compliment other styles? Tune in for the answers and much much more.  Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https:...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on The Teacher-Student Relationship In Episode 68 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss the relationship between the student and the teacher. Is the relationship different? What is the reason for any relationship? Do we need to have a teacher? Tune in for the answers and much much more.  Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/ITJGv1jTlqM The Aiki Dojo...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Intention  In Episode 67 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we spend some time discussing intention. Is intention necessary in one’s training? Do we need to define our intention in training? Tune in and see what role or importance intention plays in one’s Aikido training.  Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/8dd-Xp6Gu1U The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - An Interview with Michael Gallo Sensei In Episode 66 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we interview Michael Gallo Sensei, Aikido 6th Dan of Aikido San Marcos. Gallo Sensei is 6th Dan Aikikai and 8th Dan Daito-ryu. Listen in for some interesting stories.  Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/dsl5s4Qz8lU The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Why is Aikido Hard to LearnIn Episode 65 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we learning Aikido and why it can be hard to learn. In this episode we will delve into the mindset of the student and also the motivation of the teacher. Does either one play a role in the difficult in learning Aikido? Tune in and find out. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/W5paFxLMFvI You can...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Is Aikido The Art of Peace? In Episode 64 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss the Art of Peace with special guest Glenn Yoshida Sensei, Aikido 7th Dan from Aikido Renshinkan. The common assumption about Aikido is that it is for defensive purposes and people think that Aikido is centered around this idea of non-violence or passivity. We discuss this idea and mull over the c...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Martial Awareness In Episode 63 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss awareness. Martial awareness is the ability to quickly size up an opponent or a situation. Typically this training begins with trying to read one’s teacher and then we use that skill to read our opponents. We need to know what they might know and what their intentions are. How is awareness...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Quitting In Episode 62 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss quitting. Not quitting from the standpoint within the first 30-60 days. We mull over the possible reasons and possible remedies for people who quit after they have been training for a while. It is not the exhaustive tome on quitting but just some insights from three people who have almost 100 years...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - An Interview with Mark Dufresne In Episode 61 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we interview Mark Dufresne. Mark was a student of Rev. Kensho Furuya's in the 1970s. In this interview Mark brings 50 years of Aikido training and experience. A truly eye opening interview. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/x5_hAyHfZFQ The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate trad...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Do Dominance Rituals Belong in Aikido? This is the first podcast episode of 2025. In Episode 60 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss if shaming, hazing or other dominance rituals belong in Aikido. Is hazing or shaming a true aspect of learning. Does a teacher have to be dominant? Does the student have to be subservient? We try to answers these and many other questions.  Enj...

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Is Aikido Meditation? The last Aiki Dojo Podcast of 2024. In Episode 59 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss if Aikido is meditation. Most confuse the difference between something being meditative and mindful. Ito Sensei gives his take on how to get to a place where the training becomes almost meditative because it creates mindfulness which leads us to learning how to relax...