The Aiki Way

On this episode of Ki to the City, I had the pleasure of speaking with Quentin Cooke, an Aikido sensei from Cambridge, UK.You can link to his dojo here: Dojo linkCooke Sensei started Aikido for Daily Life about 17 years ago with his brother, Piers. Their goal was to create a non-hierarchical organization that removed the politics often found in traditional martial arts, focusing instead on how Aikido principles can be applied to everyday life.He emphasizes that if Aikido is truly about reconciling the world, its teachings must extend beyond the physical practice.Cooke Sensei is on the board of directors for Aiki Extensions, an international non-profit organization founded in 1998 by Don Levine in Chicago. This organization aims to connect individuals interested in using Aikido as a tool to support good causes and integrate its principles into their professional and personal lives. They’ve facilitated initiatives like "training across borders," bringing together people from conflicting nations to practice Aikido and foster understanding.A central theme of our discussion is the concept of taking Aikido off the mat, applying core Aikido principles—centering, grounding, relaxation, and extending Ki ("awareness")—in any life setting. Cooke sensei views the physical practice on the mat as a powerful method for learning these principles, which can then be used to navigate real-world situations with greater calm and make better decisions.The conversation also touches on the current state of Aikido's popularity. Cooke Sensei notes a decline in new inquiries for his dojo compared to previous years, attributing it to broader societal changes such as the instant gratification culture, which discourage long-term commitments.Together, we weigh the benefits of Aikido's appeal being be broadened by repositioning it not so as a martial art, but as a "mindfulness on the move" practice, similar to yoga or Tai Chi.We agreed that Aikido offers significant therapeutic benefits, aiding in psychological, emotional, and physical well-being, and fostering confidence that extends to all aspects of life.Cooke Sensei also shares his experience of collecting stories of Aikidoka from around the world for his book, A Way to Reconcile the World, which focuses on how Aikido made a difference in people's daily lives rather than their fighting prowess.Enjoy! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe