Ki to the City

Raso Hultgren Sensei, Chief Instructor of Aikido of Missoula, vividly synthesizes and embodies the artistic fluidity, rigorous physicality, and metaphysical mystery of Aikido.Raso Sensei’s Aikido journey began in 1971, taking root in the fertile, (counter)-cultural grounds of Santa Cruz under the guidance of Robert Frager Sensei.The path eventually led her to a direct, intensive apprenticeship with Saotome Sensei, and then some years training deeply with Ikeda Sensei in Boulder.Because of her dedication to O Sensei’s profound teachings, Saotome Sensei named her an original member of the Ueshiba Juku— “Academy of the Founder”—ennobling her with the joyous duty of carrying O-Sensei’s legacy forward into the modern era.Raso Sensei possesses an unparalleled ability to articulate the delicate balance between serious martial intention and “grounded flamboyance”.Before Aikido, she wove a rich tapestry of experience in the performing arts, studying theater, music, and dance. She initially felt so strongly drawn to this world that pursuing it professionally seemed like her clear and unquestionable life path.This artistic foundation deeply informed her early attraction to Aikido, as the art’s flowing movements and focus on the “inner dimension” of life strongly appealed to her sensibilities, allowing her to explore this depth without the need for “an audience”.Although she briefly returned to theater later on and found it exciting to re-engage that creative channel, she ultimately realized that the performing arts interfered with her true calling—Aikido and her inner spiritual path—prompting her to leave it behind and fully dedicate herself to the dojo.I know the feeling…It’s a genuine and incredible honor to be able to share her perspective and wisdom with you.Ki to the City remains a reader-supported publication. If you draw inspiration from these dialogues and wish to help me keep this podcast going, I humbly ask for your support. Please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber.If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution, you can email me directly at [email protected]. As a token of my gratitude, you will receive a complimentary copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Hi, welcome to Ki to the City.I sincerely apologize for the recent lag in putting out new episodes.For whatever reason, this month, there’s been a lot of weird technical issues and scheduling changes at the last minute (from both myself and guests).Please stick with me. I promise there’s a couple of really interesting episodes en route. One is already “in the can,” so to speak, but it’s been delayed due to one of those aforementioned “technical issues.”In a little while, I’m going to be speaking to a very special guest—someone I’ve been trying to get on the show for a long time. Not going to give away any spoilers, but stay tuned. Please.And I do hope to get back on the regular weekly schedule again starting in May (which is… checks calendar… tomorrow).The good news is: the book I’m working on with Kayla Feder Sensei is taking shape very nicely and wholly inspiring me to push forward through this very difficult time, even when mostly everything else is going haywire.And I have one more brief, but scintillatingly exciting announcement… if you like chocolate, that is.You’ll notice the title of this post is “The Tao of Cacao.”I know I should’ve dubbed it the “Do of Cocoa” to be more aligned with the specific art that I’m consumed by, but cocoa has gone through an alkalizing process. Cacao is pure.Vanessa Barg, a very good friend of mine and former employer, has this amazing healthy chocolate company called Gnosis. It’s not just healthy; I’m saying “it’s healthy” as a bonus, in addition to being the most delicious chocolate you’ve ever tasted.It’s all made by hand with love. Low glycemic. Unparalleled ingredient sourcing.For instance, right now, she’s making these truffles—Kanematsu Matcha Strawberry—that are so good that… I really can’t find the words. Can food taste brilliant?Personally, I’m unable to drink caffeinated beverages, so I’m basically powered by Gnosis chocolate at the moment and Vanessa is generous enough to do a little bartering here. So, full disclosure, I’m being rewarded with chocolate for this mention.And she’s also generous enough that, if you mention my name or Ki to the City when you order from her website, she’s give you a free bar of chocolate.We all win!Like I said, please stick with me. There are new episodes on the horizon, and please support the show if you can. I could really use the boost…Thanks for listening. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

This is, for sure, one of the most encouraging episodes I’ve had the good fortune to record. I honestly don’t think I can fully express how in awe I am at the optimistic bravery, fortitude, and radiant positivity of my guest, Molly Hale Sensei.Her story is ineffably powerful and spiritually uplifting.Molly Sensei’s Aikido journey began unexpectedly (as, I’m learning, most do) during a workshop at the Lomi School in 1984. It was there, during a profoundly dazzling encounter with a bokken strike, that she instantly developed a strong magnetic attraction to the art.This experience led her to begin training with Frank Doran Sensei at Aikido West, and due to the plethora of great dojos in her immediate vicinity, she was able to immediately immerse herself in many different modes of practice under such luminous Sensei as Hiroshi Ikeda, Bill Witt, and Bob Nadeau…It’s been a full week since we recorded the conversation, and I’ve really been struggling to write this intro—because I don’t want to reduce such a compelling and intense story into “copy for social media” / “trying to promote my podcast.”I think I made the right decision in asking Molly Sensei for a quick call yesterday so I could ask her one more question. I’m not going to tell you the question. I’ve already broken the 4th wall enough in this post, but as a reward for indulging my clumsy juggling of sincere writing and podcast promoting, here’s her answer in a direct quote…“I can’t imagine life without training. The depth of the community, the depth of the training, the support of the community. Looking at how the practice supports movement, in life, in general. Then you wrap that around the loving protection for all living things! I am one of those living things! Continually immersing in that because… you know, living in a quadriplegic body is not simple. Aikido is infinite adaptation for anybody. Not just me, but for anybody. We’re constantly adapting to what is. And my “what is” looks a little different. So, to me, it’s universal. Aikido can be practiced by anyone who has this intention of a loving practice.”Many of you may already know her story. For more background, I highly, highly, highly recommend taking some time to visit her website and watching this remarkable documentary: Moment by Moment Thirty-one years ago, Molly Sensei’s life was forever altered when she fell asleep at the wheel, her car flipping end-over-end at 65 MPH before coming to a crashing halt.What she described to me in the conversation is still giving me goosebumps while I write this: a genuine out-of-body experience. She found herself high above her physical form, looking back down at her upside-down Acura with its wheels still spinning.In that ethereal space, she felt with absolute certainty that there was a choice to be made: Stay or go. Suddenly, a voice commanded, “Molly Ruth, get back in your body!”Because “Molly Ruth” was the name her parents only used when they demanded her immediate, unquestioning attention, the command resonated in her core. She made the conscious choice to return, snapping back into her physical form to face the arduous road ahead.Trapped in the wreckage for nearly two hours, she hung upside down, suspended by the steering wheel at her hip line. Yet, in the midst of this horrific predicament, she did not panic or ask, “Why me?”. Instead, she realized with profound clarity that her entire life’s physical and spiritual training had been preparing her for this exact moment.To survive, Molly relied on her extensive understanding of somatics, leaning heavily on her study of Continuum (a movement practice focusing on the liquid nature of human biology and utilizing deep micro-movements that ride on the breath). Using a breathing pattern she had learned from the practice’s founder (Emilie Conrad) just a month prior, she was able to stay conscious, centered, and keep her airway open. The one time she allowed herself to relax, her airway was immediately cut off, forcing her to consciously wriggle her body back up and re-engage her breath to stay alive.Her miraculous rescue and recovery were synchronistically interwoven with the community she’d spent her life building. Just for one example: the off-duty sheriff who stopped to control traffic and reassure the anxious fire rescue team knew Molly Sensei because they trained in Aikido together.In the grueling months that followed her catastrophic spinal cord injury, it was this same loving Aikido community that surrounded her in the hospital—bringing her meals, holding her, and supporting an astonishing recovery that continues to defy all medical expectations.The initial medical prognosis delivered was devastating: doctors told her she would never have any movement below her shoulders again. But, armed with her wisdom of the body’s potential—particularly from her work in Continuum and of course, Aikido—Molly Sensei quietly refused to accept their limitations, choosing not to wrap her identity around their dire diagnosis.Taking her healing into her own hands, about six weeks after the accident, she contacted her chiropractor, Bill Ruck. Because he didn’t have privileges at Stanford Hospital, Bill had to sneak into her room in the dead of night. With the utmost care, he opened the “clamshell” of her restrictive halo brace and meticulously tapped her ribs and clavicle back into place (the sheer force of the impact had blown her ribs right off her sternum.)When the physicians arrived for their morning rounds just twelve hours later, they were astounded to find Molly suddenly able to shrug her shoulders and then some. Knowing the strict hospital rules that had been surreptitiously bypassed to achieve this breakthrough, Molly couldn’t tell the doctors how her mobility had so suddenly returned.Her rehabilitation ultimately led her back to the element where she felt the most free and safe: the water. A self described water baby, she’d been a competitive swimmer and coached the boys she wasn’t allowed to officially beat in races. She spent hours upon hours in a warm water therapy pool, allowing the hydrostatic massage and resonant field of the water to gently stimulate her tissues.It was a painstakingly slow process; taking almost seven full years for her to get her legs underneath her enough to simply stand up in the pool and trust that she wouldn’t collapse. That relentless dedication paid off, and today she uses the water to walk, do yoga, squats, and of course, teach Aikido.Her profound drive to reclaim her life didn’t stop in the pool. Molly Sensei successfully petitioned her insurance and medical teams to become the first adult quadriplegic in her program permitted to ride a horse. This incredible undertaking culminated in her riding horseback down into the crater of a dormant volcano on the island of Maui.But to me, the most miraculous part of Molly’s ongoing journey is how lucky we all are that she continues to teach Aikido.Today she teaches with her husband, Jeremy at their home dojo, Aikido of Penn Valley in the hallowed foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains. Instructing from her wheelchair, she imparts the most refined elements of the art: how to move a partner entirely without force, and how to maintain connection, dignity, and balance even when “stepping off the line” is physically impossible.Molly Sensei’s teaching philosophy focuses on the essence of internal connection and the practice of doing no harm. By exploring the purest forms of Musubi and Takemusu Aiki, she demonstrates that true power lies in a generous heart and a centered presence.She stands as a breathtaking reminder of what a true, indomitable spirit looks like.I could keep going, but I’ll let you listen for yourself. It’s way better than I’ve described… Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Sam Zeitlin, a remarkable thinker and Aikidoka whose life-path exemplifies the very synthesis many of us are seeking.Sam has cultivated a fascinating, multidisciplinary practice that defies easy categorization…She’s been practicing Aikido since 2010 in the enchanted Bay Area, mostly at City Aikido with Robert Nadeau Sensei. Simultaneously, Sam holds a PhD in cellular and molecular structure and chemistry, having spent two decades working in hard science—cell biology and cancer research, before transitioning to “tech”.She also maintains a deep and extensive yoga practice, a path found while rehabilitating from old injuries, guided by the principle of ahimsa (do no harm to others… or yourself).And she sings!It’s quite amazing how the methodical world of the research lab, the quiet, inward path of yoga, and the dynamic, connective practice of Aikido—sync up masterfully into a cohesive philosophy.There was so much to talk about, we didn’t even get to talk about music!Sam eloquently describes how she views all these seemingly disparate fields as mutually reinforcing. For example; the commitment to falling down and getting up over and over again at the dojo almost perfectly correlates to her scientific experiment experience, where failure is literally the key to success.(sorry I couldn’t resist writing “experiment experience”)Ideally, the most profound breakthroughs in science require a beginner’s mind, the Socratic willingness to admit “we know nothing” and to keep searching for first principles. This combination of prudence and intellectual rigor is what makes Sam’s perspective so refreshing.Her pursuit of a more open, fluid, and centered self—one she cultivated under the spiritual, energetic instruction of Robert Nadeau Sensei—leads to the episode’s most mind-bending discussion—a conversation that will change your relationship with physics. (Sorry, I shouldn’t assume I know anything about your relationship with physics, you might have figured all this out already. I know mine’s pretty complicated.)While she humbly attributes the undertaking of this study (time manipulation) to her teachers, she adroitly describes the dimensional shift in consciousness achieved through the practice of Jiyu Waza. (I know it probably doesn’t need to be capitalized, but I think it’s important enough to warrant it)It’s the ability to process and handle incoming force and energy, to slow the moment down within yourself, giving you freer space to feel where things are going.It’s the entering into a mind-state that allows the nervous system to circumvent the instant panic of ‘fight-or-flight’.Caught up in the oftentimes tumultuous current of “world events”, this ability to slow it all down is, quite frankly, a superpower.In retrospect (if you listen to the episode you’ll get it) I want to retract what I said I want my superpower to be. I want to change it to the above.Sam is one of the rare people who can seamlessly apply the geometrical and philosophical analogy of the circle and the line to the particle and the wave—and then bring it back to how we should interact with each other during stressful moments.As I mentioned at the beginning of the episode, we didn’t get to talk as much as I wanted to about her brilliant writing, but I’m sure you’ll love it. Please do check it out here: Sam’s BlogThanks for listening!Ki to the City is a reader-supported publication. Your generous support makes it possible for me to continue this project and bring these incredible conversations to life. If this work resonates with you, I humbly ask for your help in keeping the podcast on “the air” by signing up to be a paid subscriber.If you’d care to make a one-time contribution, or maybe have some editing work for me, you can email me directly at [email protected], and as a token of gratitude, you’ll receive a copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective work of meditative poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Hi, hope you’re all doing well out there in the aether.My temperamental tablet is delaying the publication of a few wonderful conversations that I’ve already recorded. Sorry for the dearth of new episodes lately.I hope to get this technical difficulty resolved as soon as humanly possible, or in this case, as soon as computerly possible.Hardware issues aside, I am beyond thrilled to announce the first project for my ultra-exciting new publishing venture. A book by Kayla Feder Sensei!Those of you who listened to my interview with Kayla Sensei already know that her story is nothing short of magical and will serve as inspiration for those of us already practicing Aikido, as well as a guiding light for people who might otherwise find her words and be moved to join a dojo.If you haven’t heard this one yet, what are you waiting for? Here’s the link: Open your heartKayla Sensei reminds us that within every human being is a spark of the divine—a bright light of love, compassion, and beauty. This upcoming work will dive deep into these concepts, sharing her historic lineage, her connection to nature, and her wisdom on opening the heart to transform conflict.We’re just getting started, can’t wait to see how this is going to turn out! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the honor of conversing with Marco Rubatto Sensei, from Hara Kai dojo in Torino, Italy.For nearly twenty years, Marco Sensei’s been creatively documenting a journey that began with the Iwama tradition and which finds him now an esteemed member of the (really really cool) Evolutionary Aikido Community. His brilliant website, Aikime.blogspot.com is a veritable goldmine of thoughtful articles and instructive videos.His writing transcends descriptors, and his perspective on Aikido is multidimensionally fascinating; drawing inspiration from transpersonal psychology, integrated medicine, and the spiritual lineage of Father Anthony Elenjimitem—Catholic priest / Yogi / Buddhist monk, and direct student of Mahatma Gandhi!Rather than try to describe how deep this conversation gets, I’ll just quote a line from Marco Sensei himself,“Through the spiritual practice, the physical, the mental, you can reach the “primal” way to think. The non-dual way to think. Blend with what’s not working”I put the word “primal” in parentheses because Marco Sensei is not using that word with the meaning that it’s typically associated with.You’ll have to listen to the episode, (or check out his amazing writing) to get what he’s getting at, but it’s pretty mind-blowing.I felt invigorated and inspired after this conversation and I hope listening to it can have that effect on you as well.Thanks for helping me keep this little boat afloat! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I apologize if it’s been a bit quiet on the podcast front.I’m willing to attribute to destiny the fact that my last few scheduled conversations kind of canceled last minute.It’s totally understandable from a cosmic viewpoint: life is complicated.I’ve been so busy working on the “new phase” of this project that I haven’t had the time to follow up with people or try to book new guests as diligently as I should have.The momentum of weekly interviews has been kind of halted, but I’m embracing it as a necessary pause to bring you some exciting news.Before I get into that, though, I want to put an open invite out into the ether:If anyone listening to or reading this has any desire to come on the show and talk about Aikido, please don’t hesitate. Reach out to me!I’m open to exploring anyone’s perspective.You don’t need to be a 7th Dan Shihan to have a voice here. Even if you just started training yesterday, or if you’re still thinking about starting but for whatever reason you haven’t yet, I want to hear from you.This podcast is an exploration of the art from all angles, and the beginner’s mind is just as vital as the seasoned sensei’s.Let’s have some conversations.Now, onto the reason I’ve been so deeply preoccupied lately.The Ki to the City podcast has successfully engaged and connected a wide-ranging global audience of listeners. Thus far, we’ve been exploring how the philosophical principles of Aikido and its sincere practice can actually work to make the world a better place, even through the most troublesome, atomizing times.As I’ve scoured the internet for research—reading articles, posts, and old forum threads, looking for guests—I’ve had a sobering realization. A vast amount of the profound wisdom generated by our global Aikido community exists merely in ephemeral online formats.It’s trapped in fleeting social media disagreements, buried in hard-to-find comment threads, or scattered across blogs that might very well forever vanish if, God forbid, the “grid” ever really goes down.In this cybernetic dystopic spiral, digital discourse can be, and easily is, washed away in the vicious, swirling, scrolling “news cycle.”Printed books offer a more tactile experience. They possess a tangible quality for which a blog post can posit no substitute. They can also serve as lasting artifacts for current and future generations to hold, study, and cherish.That’s why I’m thrilled to announce the launch of an independent, Aikido-themed publishing house (more like an apartment) via this Ki to the City platform!The hope is to expand the reach and longevity of Aikido’s positive societal effects beyond our digital screens. Maybe we could put down our phones for a few minutes.There are so many brilliant, as-of-yet unheard voices in our sphere who might never otherwise be able to secure opportunities with traditional publishing companies. And furthermore, many people simply don’t realize that they don’t need to spend a ton of money to self-publish.This is where my (semi) professional background comes in.I’ve done some work as a freelance creative editor and ghostwriter, successfully guiding numerous authors through the self-publishing process.Over the past few months, I’ve re-dedicated myself to conducting exhaustive, meticulous research into the print-on-demand (POD) self-publishing ecosystem.It’s pretty boring, actually. But somehow I’m able to lock in and figure it out.The result of this research is the creation of a high-efficiency, economical, ecological, independent publishing system that is specifically tailored to benefit both the author and the community.This new publishing arm of Ki to the City is poised to produce high-quality pieces, ensuring the spirit of these essential voices is secured in a format worthy of their content.I’m excited to share that I already have two—possibly three—projects currently in the works! Much more on that soon to come. I’m working hard to get these first editions formatted, edited, and ready for the world.So, if you have a manuscript sitting in a drawer, a collection of unfinished docs, or even just the seed of an idea for a book about your Aikido journey, please reach out to me. And remember, if you want to be a guest on the podcast to talk about your practice, regardless of your rank or experience level, the door is always open.Don’t be shy. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

“Aikido was forged in the crucible of war. The Aikido we know bloomed in the era of peace.”Is it possible to speak of “Post-War” Aikido anymore?How long were we ever actually living, Post-War?I want to keep this written intro brief. I have an aversion to trying to write eloquently about grave situations. Everything I could potentially say feels pretentious.In a situation like this, it’s better to let the conversation speak for itself.Miles Kessler Sensei teaches out of the Integral Dojo in Tel Aviv, Israel, and this conversation finds him literally in the crucible of war himself, as he speaks expecting sirens warning him to head to the nearest bomb shelter.(To learn more about Miles Sensei’s incredible background, check out his first appearance. LinkIt’s in this real-world context that his profound philosophy—Aikido not as a path of peace, but a path of conflict, with peace as the byproduct of good conflict done well—is called to action.Miles Sensei’s most powerful application of Aikido off the mat is his frank discussion of trauma. He describes how trauma—whether personal, generational, or societal—causes us to retreat and polarize, locking us into patterns that perpetuate the past.The ultimate work of the spiritual warrior is to purify this inherited and active trauma, allowing us to hold conflict in a way that becomes the catalyst for evolutionary development.Miles Sensei challenges us to move beyond the easy binaries of “us versus them,” arguing that true spiritual progress requires us to wrestle with the moral dilemmas of the present moment. When nothing is reliable, the path of practice is the only constant.He also reminds us that we are not doomed, that there may still be some adults in the room willing to meet the present conflict with a broader, deeper perspective, ready to move humanity forward with a practical, uncompromising spiritual framework for modern existence. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

“Ki to the City” was originally conceived as a way to address the seemingly shaky future of Aikido (specifically, in my own life). In this episode, I’m honored to speak with someone who is not just thinking about the problem aloud but providing concrete, actionable, and expert solutions.My guest has built a platform (and an app) that achieves what I’ve only vaguely dreamed of: addressing the critical need for a more effective branding of Aikido.Sasa Starovojtov (from Dokiai Dojo in Ljubljana, Slovenia) is a compelling voice challenging the status quo with equal parts compassion and commercial acumen. His dojo’s name perfectly encapsulates his mission: to offer “another way to look at Aikido.”Sasa’s path to the mat is as unique as his current contribution. He discovered the art purely by chance, walking past a sign in Prague. He instantly connected with Aikido’s non-competitive spirit, finding it a soothing balm to the “scorekeeping” mindset that had ruined games for him since childhood.Over 25 years later, this commitment to non-conflict is a defining feature of his life; as he shared, since joining the dojo, he’s never had to fight—physically or verbally.Before founding his dojo, Sasa had already carved out a long and successful professional career in marketing, rising to roles like Sales and Marketing Director for a software company and working for world-famous agencies like Leo Burnett. This eclectic background—martial artist and seasoned branding expert—is what makes his perspective on the art of Aikido so vital.Sasa’s Substack, Aikicraft.org, and his revolutionary new app, Brandician.ai, in my own humble opinion, are essential tools for anyone struggling with how to keep Aikido relevant in their own communities. I implore you to click those links… He points to real-world data suggesting Aikido could be on a “path to extinction,” while Aikidoka are mostly “marketing to ourselves,” failing to explain the art’s true value to people who’ve never stepped on a mat.Aikicraft.org is Sasa’s offered antidote, a valuable resource for Dojo Cho who are, like he was himself, left with little practical guidance on how to run, grow, or market a dojo.Aikicraft is divided into four critical sections: Why we train, The hard look (a necessary criticism of institutional problems), Teach better (advocating for the use of modern sports science), and Applied Aikido (his “Marketing-Do” series).This work has culminated in Brandician.ai, a powerful web app created with his partners that he’s currently offering for free to the Aikido community.As he explains on the podcast, a professional branding package for could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000. His ingenious app guides the user through an in-depth process starting with a founder interview, generates a questionnaire to survey customers, and ultimately creates a Brand Hub—a comprehensive guide covering brand strategy, visual identity, and tone of voice, rooted in the art of storytelling.Sasa’s work is firmly planted in the Jobs to be Done (JTBD) theory from the branding world: many people are not interested in buying “traditional martial arts”—they are hiring us to do a job for them. That job could be to achieve more mindfulness, to be a better parent, or to be comfortable speaking in front of a group of people. Sasha contends that by framing the practice in this way, we can ensure its survival.To Sasa, marketing is Aikido—a process of harmonization. You can’t fight the market; you must take ukemi and move with it. This dimensional shift in consciousness could be what’s required for the art to once again flourish.(Until/unless I can find some sponsors ;) Ki to the City remains a reader-supported publication. If you have benefited from this project, please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber to help keep the podcast on “the airwaves.”If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution, you can email me directly at [email protected] a token of my gratitude, and Don Dickie Sensei’s generosity, you will receive a complimentary copy of his deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido.Thank you!!! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

For those of us who practice Aikido on the regular, we already intimately feel the profound and magical impact it has on everyday life, specifically when it comes to enhancing our ability to harmoniously communicate both verbally and physically with others (occasional social media discourse notwithstanding).But what happens when you take that intuitive conviction and subject it to the rigorous scrutiny of peer-reviewed academic research?The result is the groundbreaking work of Dr. Greet Angèle De Baets, a Sensei from Ban Sen Juku Aikido in Belgium, whose doctoral research has provided us with compelling, scientific proof that the principles we exercise on the mat are, indeed, powerful tools for improving real-world communication.I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. De Baets (albeit from about 3,600 miles away) to discuss her fascinating personal journey and the findings of her PhD thesis, Embodied Learning With and From Aikido: A Mixed-Methods Investigation Into Teaching Intercultural Communication Skills for the Workplace.(The PDF is available for all; just reach out to me and I’ll get you in touch!)It was an absolute delight to talk with a professor of linguistics whose intellectual curiosity and acumen is matched only by her visceral commitment to embodying the principles of Aikido.Greet Sensei’s introduction to Aikido, was, like many of ours, through seemingly sheer coincidence. Following a life-changing horseback riding accident, she was left with spinal difficulties and chronic migraines. In her search for relief, she was introduced to Tai Chi by one of her students. That same Tai Chi teacher also taught Aikido…There’s much more depth to this origin story than I can convey here in this little blurb, so, please, listen to the episode.A synchronistic start led her to the Ban Sen Juku lineage in Belgium with a local Sensei who happened to be a direct student of Seiji Tomita Sensei.While his name was new to me, discovered while researching for the interview, the impressive depth and breadth of Tomita Shihan’s background is immediately apparent.Having trained under Tanaka Bansen Sensei, Tohei Sensei, and Saito Sensei, (and, of course, most importantly, directly with O-Sensei himself) Tomita Shihan’s approach is marked by a clear focus on the “one line” and a sincere adherence to ki musubi—connection and unification with your partner.Dr. De Baets speaks with glowing reverence for individual instruction she’s received from Tomita Sensei, and it’s clear how his teachings form a foundational stone for her communication work.At the heart of her methodology is the belief that communication is not purely cognitive. Professional communication training is predominantly passive: slide-based, power-point presentations, focused solely on intellectual understanding. Dr. De Baets challenges this head-on. She literally removes the chairs and tables from the room, using simple, “white belt” level tai sabaki as the theory itself—a powerful somatic metaphor—to teach interaction.She emphasizes that communication “lives in breathing, voice, attitude, timing, presence,” and you cannot learn that by sitting down. What you are learning must be embodied.Dr. De Baets’ research provides compelling, quantitative (we already have plenty of the qualitative) proof that the “Aikido Interaction Model” and the embodied learning experience have a powerfully positive effect on interpersonal (and beyond) interactions. Her findings demonstrate that incorporating Aikido activities into communication training significantly supports participant satisfaction, memory retention, and—most importantly for a population riddled with conflict and societal atomization—intercultural competence.Ultimately, Dr. De Baets’ work offers an elegant and sophisticated answer to a question many of us have sensed instinctively for years: that our practice is more than a martial art.By aligning her findings with progressive linguistic theories, she reveals another profound conclusion—that Aikido can be understood as a language—a language of social interaction, body movement, sensory experience, and contextual meaning-making.If you’ve ever needed “evidence-based” validation for your dedication to practice, this is the episode for you.Tune in to discover how tranquility and anthropocosmic nobility can transform how we interact and influence the world around us.Here are the relevant links:BlogProfessional website Greet Sensei’s local dojo Main Dojo and lineageOnce again, please reach out to me (or Dr. De Baets) directly for a PDF of her thesis.Also, (Until/unless I can find some sponsors ;) Ki to the City remains a reader-supported publication. If you have benefited from this project, please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber to help keep the podcast on “the airwaves.”If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution, you can email me directly at [email protected] a token of my gratitude, and Don Dickie Sensei’s generosity, you will receive a complimentary copy of his deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido.Thank you!!! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I haven’t done one of these “solo episodes” in a while.I know I promised I wouldn’t anymore because I felt like I was making it too much about “me,” but a guest rescheduled at the last minute and I don’t want to break the momentum of putting out at least one episode a week.I’m superstitious like that.So, here’s a short story I’m working on for one of the many books I’ll probably never publish.It’s a ‘ruff’ draft.I’m not gonna lie, sometimes I get pretty down on myself…Wow! I just got hit with some acute ‘deja vu.’It probably never really actually happened, but I just got struck with this vivid memory of being told sternly that I should never start off a sentence (in writing) with, “I’m not gonna lie.”For the record, it’s part of my everyday lingo, and I want to stay true to my vernacular.Now, I just got hit with another major ‘deja vu’ memory of being told that I should never write about ‘deja vu.’Anyway… sometimes I get pretty down on myself.I know I’m not alone in this.Anyone with a modicum of humility understands what we’re all up against: how difficult it is to maintain a joyful connection to the universe at all times, not to mention unwavering confidence in all the impractical ideas we have for how to ‘make the world a better place,’ etc…And sometimes I question my obsessive dedication to practicing aikido, trudging along with my podcast, and whatever other aerial designs I have in my head of pursuing/promoting this art I love as a vocation (of sorts).But last Wednesday, at least, my trip to the dojo paid some karmic dividends.Practice itself was fine. That’s not what this story is about. I was leading the class; we had a visitor from Japan, so I made sure my etiquette was on point.It was while walking to the train station after class when I felt like, for a brief moment at least, my life had a greater purpose.When we all left the dojo, I wanted to properly say thank you and goodbye to our Japanese visitor, so I bowed.As I was mid-bow, two rambunctious young men swaggered brusquely past with some extra attitude. One of them bumped into me. His reaction indicated placing blame on me for the bump. The other one remarked that I looked like I was trying to kiss somebody or something.I just laughed and said, “Oh sorry… sorry… my fault.”As I walked to the train, my inner monologue was peppered with praise about how proud I was of myself for not overreacting to the minor pedestrian slight.This lulled me into a daydream (even though it wasn’t day) of previous instances where I had to temper my temper when bumped into or otherwise inconvenienced by my fellow serfs in the city who didn’t bother to apologize.I was snapped out of this reverie when I heard a little dog’s sharp yelp.Ahead of me, navigating the icy, garbage-laden terrain, were two young women walking a dirty white toy poodle.I feel bad calling the poodle dirty, but it was. All white with muddy paws and those black tear stains that some dogs get.It cried out because one of the girls stepped on it.She blamed him (or her, I didn’t check) because it kept “walking between” her feet.The leash they had wasn’t a choke chain; it was one of those retractable leashes, but they had it let out all the way, at full length.I was walking about 10 paces behind, and I offered a barely audible “aww, are you okay?”No one probably heard me but myself.As we kept walking, me now shaken fully out of my reverie of past potential scuffles, reflecting on how Aikido really maybe has made me a better person, I started thinking like, “Yeah, but what am I actually doing with my life? You know?”The euphoria of teaching a well-received class was already starting to dissolve, and I started musing about ‘my troubles’.As I approached the crosswalk; my attention shifted back to the young women with the poor, unkempt little poodle.The light was about to turn red, and one of the young women (I’ll call her “girl-number-one”) decided to run across the street to catch up to somebody.She yelled out a name. “Maya.”At first, I thought that was the dog’s name, but she was yelling it out up ahead while she ran, and it wouldn’t have made sense to yell out the dog’s name like that.Meanwhile, girl-number-two, the one holding the dog (not named Maya) on the unretracted leash, decided not to cross the street.She stopped short as the light flashed red.The poodle, however, wanted to follow girl-number-one, so he (or she) darted up ahead after her. And, because the leash was at full length, the little muddy-pawed dog was able to scamper across the street without any hindrance to its mobility.I saw this scene unfurl in slow motion, without all the verbiage.A voice in my head said, “Oh S**t! That dog’s about to get hit.”And sure enough, I saw a car, trying to make the light, speed through the intersection.Now, I don’t know if my voice can actually arrest canine movement through sound waves, but in that moment, I tried it anyway. I yelled out, “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!”In essence, I barked.The little dog stopped (not, thank God) dead in its tracks. A split second before it would’ve been crushed beneath the left front tire, it jumped back, turned around, looked at me like I said something it understood, and ran towards me.I paid no attention to girl-number-two. Girl-number-one was long gone.I’m too self-conscious about sounding like a fussy, old, concerned citizen to have offered any admonishment. Instead, I talked to the dog directly. I said, “You need to be careful when you cross the street; you’re going to get hit by a car. It’s very dangerous.”The dog looked up at me like it got my point. I know it probably didn’t, but it looked at me like it did and sat at my feet.Girl-number-two said “thank you” kind of nonchalantly. Like I said, I don’t want to get into it with people. I don’t want to judge them for their attitudes or their ability to take responsibility. I don’t want to come across like an old man who tells people what to do.Not for nothing, but this is the third dog-life I’ve saved.The previous two were little dogs that were about to get killed by big dogs. In both scenarios, the big dog had the little dog in its mouth, and I ran over and picked the big dog up by the collar and just yelled loudly in its face, “No!” The big dog dropped the little dog and then kind of apologized to me.I know it sounds a little bit far-fetched (get it?), but it really happened. Twice.Anyway, as far as last Wednesday night goes, I’m not saying that I’ve gained any special powers through my obsessive Aikido practice enabling me to stop potentially destructive actions through sound waves.My point is: if I didn’t go to class, I wouldn’t have been in the position to save that dog’s life.So at least for a fleeting moment, I felt like I was on the right track.Maybe that little dirty poodle’s destiny is to do something great. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Here’s Part II of my recent interview with Chris Thorsen Sensei, distinguished senior student of Richard Moon Sensei and board member at Aiki Extensions.If you heard Part I, you’ll surely already be in awe of his remarkable life—an inspiring journey he describes as a series of “intuitive jumps off cliffs.”If you haven’t heard it yet, don’t delay! Here it is: Part IIn this newest episode, Thorsen Sensei continues to share powerful examples from his consulting career, including turnaround work at Kaiser Permanente’s IT team and a critical intervention at Intel, demonstrating the systemic and strategic application of Aikido principles in the pressure-packed world of high-stakes corporate operations.Most impressive/inspiring to me is the conflict-resolution project that he and Richard Moon Sensei undertook with Cypriot leaders. Their work in Cyprus stands (to me, at least) as one of the most profound examples of the application of Aikido principles to real-world conflict resolution.As many of you may already know, Cyprus has been deeply divided since the 1960s, after a crisis still resonating palpable resentment, marked by the presence of the “Green Line,” a United Nations-controlled neutral zone that literally separates the Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south.The strategy employed by the two trailblazing Sensei was to focus on multi-track diplomacy, engaging with community leaders, heads of companies, media organizations, and nonprofits—the high leaders of culture below the political level. The methodology used was the core combination of Aikido and dialogue.Workshops brought together mixed groups of Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, teaching them the non-competitive, cooperative aspects of Aikido.The physical practice of centering, blending, and getting off the line was successfully integrated as a method for navigating conflict in the verbal realm.This groundbreaking project showed how an Aiki-dialogue methodology could enable players entrenched in deep, systemic conflict to cohere, generating new possibilities for resolution and transformation (even post-war), by providing a method to physically and verbally step into a field of cooperation rather than competition.In this episode, you’ll also hear about the related program Chris Sensei, in conjunction with Aiki Extensions, has recently established. This exciting initiative focuses on assisting Aikido dojo leaders in taking their practice off the mat and into their local communities.Anyone interested in applying Aikido principles to community betterment should follow up with Aiki Extensions (here) for more information.And, in case you haven’t heard, Aiki Extensions also generously offers seed grants (up to $1,000) for projects that are focused on moving Aikido off the mat and into engagement in the world in non-martial ways.I’m sure there are some great ideas out there that could use some funding to get off the ground.To further explore the rich history of Thorsen Sensei’s work from 1985 to 2005, you can visit quantumedge.org.And for a deeper understanding of the current iteration of his crucial work in embodiment and systemic change, please visit inquiryintoconsciousness.com.Now, let’s pick up where we left off…. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Long-time student of Richard Moon Sensei and integral board member of Aiki Extensions, Chris Thorsen Sensei’s life is a remarkable testament to the power of intuition, embodied practice, and a deep commitment to true systemic change.Spanning over 50 years, his incredible career path has been characterized by bringing the principles of Aikido off the mat and into the world, transforming organizational culture and leadership. For the better.This will be a two-part episode. Considering the breadth and depth of Chris Sensei’s experience and the important work he’s doing. It was impossible to reduce mora than half a century of spiritual wisdom in action to a 72 minute conversation.Chris Sensei’s journey is marked by a series of what he calls “intuitive jumps off cliffs”—unreasonable, yet profoundly guiding, decisions. At age 12, his first break with inherited culture happened during a trip with the Episcopal Church acolytes to a park in southern Illinois. He discovered a brass plaque on a promontory that detailed how a village of Native Americans had been surrounded and starved to death by the “bluecoats” (Christians). This shocking realization led him to question his involvement in the church and marked the beginning of his distrust and questioning of societal structures.This intuitive questioning reached a crescendo during his time enlisted in the military. A desire for education had led him to the Army’s language school in Monterey, but a moral conflict soon erupted following the Gulf of Tonkin incident. An intuitive flash that the (now proven to be a false flag) incident was not what it appeared to be on the surface, spurred his declaration for conscientious objector status, a period that included a profound three-week vow of silence.This early act of non-cooperation and adherence to an inner truth became a foundational example of listening to the whispers of intuitive guidance, a theme that would later define his life’s work.After his discharge, a solitary two-year period in the wilderness led to writing haiku and an introduction to Rinzai Zen, establishing a diligent practice of Zazen that served as a crucial precursor to his path in Aikido. This spiritual rooting, combined with his work as a creativity consultant and later a crisis counselor, brought him face-to-face with the human cost of dysfunctional corporate culture. Seeking a grounded calm amidst the tumultuous melee of crisis work, he fortuitously found Aikido.His Aikido lineage is central to his mission. He began training with Richard Moon Sensei, who was running a small dojo (in a former chicken shack) focused on a shared inquiry into the art, and crucially emphasized jiyū-waza (freestyle practice). This liberating practice heightened Chris Sensei’s ability to function intuitively, and viscerally.His training deepened under Robert Nadeau Sensei, whose teaching focused on energy as the primary study of Aikido—the Aikido that cannot be seen with the human eye. These two teachers empowered Thorsen Sensei’s realization that he needed to get “upstream of the problems” by working directly with leaders, thereby discovering his bestowed mission to transform organizational culture.This mission was realized when a former client, and Vietnam veteran, Jim Dixon. (You really gotta listen to the episode to hear how amazing Jim’s story is!) hired him as the cultural development consultant for the startup Cellular One, San Francisco.This opportunity led to a whirlwind run with Moon Sensei at his side, building Cellular One and later Nextel across the country. Their core methodology was teaching “non-falling Aikido” partnered with David Bohm’s Dialogue.Through the realization that “Dialogue is a verbal Aikido and Aikido is a physical form of dialogue”, they taught teams how to handle pressure and conflict and, critically, how to make intuitive declarations for breakthroughs by embodying the principles of centered, grounded, and flowing presence. This unique approach led to the construction of a national cellular system in record time, all while maintaining their cultural declaration to “not lose one family”, an unprecedented success in the industry.Since 2000, Thorsen Sensei’s work has evolved beyond direct corporate consulting to handing off the kit of his methodologies to what he calls “free radicals”—consultants and internal change agents working in large organizations and nonprofits to make systemic level change.This work is ongoing and deeply informed by his spiritual and martial arts background, and will covered at length in the next episode which will follow this one in a few days.So stay tuned!!To learn more about his amazing journey and the application of these principles check out his two websites.For stories of the corporate work from 1985 to 2005, mostly covered in this first episode: quantumedge.orgFor the current iteration of his ever-important work which will be covered in part II: inquiryintoconsciousness.comEnjoy! 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Happy Setsubun!According to Shinto, it’s today, Feb. 3rd..Setsubun literally translates to “seasonal division.” While, historically, it referred to the eve of any of the four seasons, it now specifically marks the day before the beginning of Spring (according to the old calendar of Japan.)It’s essentially a spiritual “spring cleaning” to drive out the bad energy of the previous year and welcome a fresh start.Feels like we sure could use some energetic refreshment right about now.And, I couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate/celebrate this auspicious occasion than inviting Koichi Barrish Sensei back on the show to share his impressions on what this time of year signifies and how we can attune ourselves more harmoniously to the greater cosmic cycle.(Apologies for the brief technical issue in the beginning of our talk. I want to get this episode out today, for obvious reasons, so I didn’t have time to edit it much. There’s a few seconds of a glitchiness, hope you can look past the imperfections…)In this timely episode, Barrish Sensei explains how Setsubun is the Kyo, or “still point,” between the Earth’s yin phase of accumulating energy and the coming yang phase of releasing it. This energetic hinge marks the solar New Year and is analogous to the European Imbolc.This particular Setsubun (2026), is astrologically and energetically profound in many ways. The year’s specific currents are described in detail through the three aspects of Japanese astrology: Ten, Chi, and Jin (Heaven, Earth, and Humanity). The heavenly and earthly responses (Ten and Chi) align to make this the year of Hinoe Uma, or the “cardinal fire horse.” This energy is intensely expansive and explosive—fire on top of fire—and its core teaching is that nothing remains obscured. All things that have been hidden are revealed because, metaphorically, the sun is directly overhead and casts “no shadow.”However, the third, or human, element (Jin) provides the necessary counter-strategy. Represented this year by Ippaku Suisei (One White Water Ki), the human response calls for a period of deep, yin-like gathering and observation. The ultimate lesson, or strategy, is to utilize the expansive, powerful energy imbued cosmically, while acting from a place of perspective and distance.According to Barrish Sensei, this is the perfect moment for Aiki: a response that stems from intensely and carefully held verticality between heaven and earth. This Aiki response allows one to remove obstructions, clarify our personal mission, and tap into the powerful flow of the life stream to influence the arc of the system in a more positive way. This is the great challenge and opportunity for all who seek harmony in a world undergoing profound and unprecedented change.But don’t take my word for it. Listen to the episode and hear Barrish Sensei describe the whole current cosmic situation in his unique, wise, and spirited way.And please check out what he’s doing over at Kannagara Inari Salon I’ve been (virtually) attending his Chouhai ceremony every weekend and it’s had a very positive influence on my state of mind ever since I started. And if you’re new to the podcast, and haven’t heard my two previous talks with Barrish Sensei, I’ll make it easy for you to find them:Aikido and the way of the Gods IAikido and the way of the Gods IIPlease consider supporting Ki to the City!If you find value in these deep explorations of Aikido and philosophy, please consider supporting the podcast. Upgrade to a paid subscriber, or if you’d like to make a one-time contribution reach out to me directly at [email protected] a thank you, donors, and new paid subscribers will receive a copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s beautiful book of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido—the perfect companion piece for spiritual, and martial inquiry.And Sunday was my birthday, if that tips the scales :) Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I got the keys to the dojo’s Instagram account now, so I’m working on my video editing skills.I interviewed Nico back in October. If you’re new here, or you somehow missed that one, check it out here: Nico Puertollano interviewAnd… If you got any tips on using Instagram effectively (whatever that means) please let me know. I appreciate all adviceBy the way, I don’t know if you are seeing the automatic subtitles. A lot of them are obviously wrong, but they’re kind of funny. And I don’t really now how to turn them off yet… Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I’m excited to share this incredibly expansive discussion with Steve Macramalla, long-time student of Linda Holiday Sensei at Aikido of Santa Cruz.(Regular listeners know what a positive influence Linda Holiday Sensei has had on myself and this project. Her ongoing commitment to transmitting heart-centered wisdom has been a major catalyst for the perseverance of this podcast.)In addition to his Aikido pursuit, Steve is also a professor of Cognitive Psychology and teaches Chi’en-Lung Kung Fu at Six animals Kung Fu. This combination makes him the perfect conversational partner for attempting to tackle the whole “mind-body” question that I can never seem to satisfactorily answer for myself.His book, Unleash the Dragon Within: Transform Your Life with the Kung-Fu Animals of Ch’ien-Lung, is ostensibly a guide to personal transformation through martial arts.Drawing on over thirty years of training under his enigmatic Sifu, Constantine Darling, Steve outlines how we can practice the embodiment of six specific animal archetypes (discussed in detail during our chat) to deliberately shift our mental, emotional, and physical states to better navigate conflict and achieve psychological well-being.The core of this episode, however, lies in unpacking Steve’s vast experience in the exploration of the aforementioned “mind-body” problem. This is the crossroad where the cognitive psychologist and the martial artist meet.Whether you’re interested in the science of how we learn, preserving the lineage of Kumano Aikido, or finding out how to “unleash the dragon” in your own practice, this episode is, if I may be be so bold, mandatory listening.Steve brings a sharp, academic precision to the proverbial table, but he delivers it with the warmth and humility of a dedicated Aikidoka. I really enjoyed this one, and I hope you will too!Please consider supporting Ki to the City!If you find value in these deep explorations of Aikido and philosophy, please consider supporting the podcast. Upgrade to a paid subscriber, or if you’d like to make a one-time contribution reach out to me directly at [email protected] a thank you, donors, and new paid subscribers will receive a copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s beautiful book of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido—the perfect companion piece for spiritual, and martial inquiry. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

One of the genuine benefits of (stubbornly) persisting with this project (despite the typical difficulties associated with the pursuit of wisdom vs monetary gain) is that when I hear a testimony so inspiring, so indicative of Aikido’s positive impact, it instantly assuages all doubt that I’m on the right path.Scott Berg Sensei’s early life was beset with some pretty significant challenges, beginning with being born deaf. His hearing was eventually gained around his third birthday, following a successful (second) attempt at tympanostomy tube insertion.This procedure, of which Scott Sensei was one of the earliest recipients, occurred after the natural developmental window for learning speech. As a result, he faced a severely delayed path in acquiring language.He struggled substantially to communicate verbally, noting that he could not pronounce his own name in the seventh grade. The severity of his difficulties led to a frightening (thankfully ignored) misdiagnosis when a psychiatrist at a children’s hospital suggested to his parents that he be institutionalized, because the doctor could not teach him to speak.Compounding his struggles, he experienced relentless bullying in school, which fostered a deep sense of social isolation and otherness. This adversity forged a unique psychological coping mechanism: he became a master of seeing the world in the third person, observing his own life with a narrative distance.This perspective cast him as an undeveloped character in his own story. Scott Sensei credits finding Aikido as the pivotal moment which helped him bridge this gulf, as he finally found a setting where he felt secure enough to connect, and began to write himself into the “first person” narrative. (He notes the full-circle irony of how his current focus is on how it’s not all about “you”.)Another aspect of his journey I find incredible is the breadth of his experience. Having trained in over 600 dojos (!), Scott Sensei has opened himself up to an almost incomprehensively vast array of lineage and culture, developing a perspective on Aikido that is both profoundly broad and remarkably deep. Thanks to this incredible talk with Scott Sensei, I‘m thrilled to learn of another great teacher and transmitter of O Sensei’s Aikido I’d previously never heard of, Hiroshi Kato Sensei.(I haven’t dug deep enough myself yet into Kato Sensei’s story to write anything of substance about him, but I do suggest you listen to this episode to hear Scott Sensei’s glowing affirmation of his Sensei’s relatively unheralded importance to the Aikido world.)Scott Sensei is also a thoughtful writer. I’ve been deeply inspired by my recent discovery of his Substack. That’s how I found him. (See, sticking with Substack is paying off, after all!)His ability to articulate the essential aiki-quest many of us find ourselves on with such eloquent brevity is amazing. His hard-earned voice is that rare combination of technical legitimacy and poetic vulnerability. I should take note…Recording this episode flew by. Which is how I know it was a good one. One of my personal favorites so far.Don’t miss it!And don’t forget to check out his dojo! Aikido of Alamo Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

This is an especially reflective time for Ki to the City, as we’re just days away from the first anniversary. (January 15th, if you’re curious)I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the encouraging and insightful interactions so far. I feel like I’ve grown as a person through this endeavor and I hope it shows…I sincerely hope to be able to continue and develop this project for a long time to come. Seriously. Thank you!In the spirit of growth and reflection, please enjoy this illuminating conversation I had with Patrick Cassidy Sensei, an integral bridge-builder between the worlds of martial arts and self development.Patrick sensei is dedicated to ensuring the modern relevance of Aikido as a profound tool for mastering fear, navigating real-world conflict, and achieving heightened awareness through the body.He possesses impeccable traditional and somewhat eclectic experience; from his time as an uchi-deshi with the legendary Morihiro Saito Sensei in Iwama, to the self-exploratory, human-potential-movement-tinged, training methods of Robert Nadeau Sensei in California.(There’s much more nuance to his incredible history, but I want you to listen to the episode, so I won’t give too much away here.)As the director of the Evolutionary Aikido Community, Patrick Sensei highlights how Aikido practice can serve as a technology for awakening to, and reorganizing of, the entire field of interaction. In this more holistic context, conflict is viewed, not a threat to be avoided, but an evolutionary driver to be transformed.Seen in this light, the Aikidoka can be described as an “alchemist,” entering directly into conflict itself and transmuting aggression into a higher order of connection and resolution.At his dojo, Aikido Montreux (in Montreux, Switzerland) Patrick Sensei maintains a dedicated Uchi Deshi program. Carrying the traditional torch he picked up during his formative time in Iwama, this program offers total immersion that also includes yoga, breath work, meditation, cold water misogi in a nearby river, and (the best part) a sauna.Reach out to him directly here, if that’s something you might be interested in learning more about.A short little teaser/blurb cannot do this episode justice. I implore you to tune in to hear Patrick Sensei describe how it all comes together…As we commemorate our first year, I need to humbly ask for your support to help keep this project on the “airwaves”. This podcast is a reader/listener-supported publication, and your contributions allow me to continue.There are two ways you can help: you can sign up to be a paid subscriber on Substack, or, if you would like to make a one-time contribution, please email me directly at [email protected] a token of my gratitude, anyone who makes a contribution will receive a copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Don Sensei has graciously donated 125 copies of this book to support this project, and it serves as a magnificent vehicle for active spiritual inquiry and attaining greater awareness. Get ‘em while you can!Sharing these conversations is my way of contributing to something meaningful, worthwhile, and good in the world and doing my best to honor the world family O-Sensei envisioned. Your support ensures that we can continue to strive to learn from amazing people like Patrick Cassidy and keep our communities thriving. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I’m beyond thrilled to share this episode with you, as it marks the return of a truly exceptional teacher, artist, and now, published author under a major press.Richard Moon Sensei is here to discuss his brand-new book, Quantum Aikido: The Power of Harmony, being released today, January 6th!As many of you know from our first conversation, Moon Sensei possesses a background that is nothing short of cinematic. Training for over 55 years (mostly under Robert Nadeau Shihan, one of the few ‘westerners’ to study directly with O Sensei), his story stretches far beyond the mat; from the early psychedelic days hanging with Ram Dass and Timothy Leary, all the way to international peace work, participating in a major mediation project between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders.If you missed it, I highly suggest you check out this prior episode to hear more about his fascinating ‘origin story.’ [prior episode]When I first heard the title, Quantum Aikido, I have to be honest—I was hesitant. I usually shy away from anything labeled “Quantum,” fearing it might be too scientistic for my taste. However, the way Moon Sensei relates these high-level physics concepts to the visceral experience of Aikido has completely shifted my perspective. At least in this particular case. I finished reading the book the night before we spoke, and I can tell you personally, this is not a book you read once and put on the shelf. It’s dense with wisdom and written in a lurid, musical, prose that you need to sit with, digest, and revisit many many (many) times.Moon Sensei applies insights of quantum mechanics—concepts like wave-particle duality and the unified field theory—to the heart-centered depths of Aikido principles including, but not limited to: musubi and takemusu aiki.The book explores how the dualism of conflicting opposites is an illusion; instead, reality emanates from a unified field. The techniques we practice in the dojo are the “dust after the action.” The true study is what O-Sensei called the “realization of love” and the “Aikido that cannot be seen by the human eye.”Moon Sensei’s gift is unlocking our potential as human beings. He suggests that by harmonizing the discord in our own ‘selves’, we can tap into energetic sources that guide us to resolving problems with spontaneous creativity. I’m learning more and more how Aikido is not just about throwing people across the mat (although, that is so much fun); it’s the facilitation of an inter-dimensional shift in consciousness that transforms life from a struggle into a dance.Moon Sensei teaches us to surf the universal waves of change rather than fighting against them, using a spirit of reconciliation to allow every being the completion of their “bestowed mission.”Of course, we spent some time ruminating on the ‘Floating Bridge of Heaven,’ that mysterious immaterial zone of creation where complementary opposites seem to unite in a state of creative harmony, connecting to the single source from which everything emanates.We also discuss how we can learn to “feel better”—not just in the sense of seeking pleasant sensations,, but also in the sense of increasing sensitivity to the energy of life, allowing us to act with greater intelligence and compassion.I’m incredibly grateful to have connected with Richard Moon Sensei. His influence on my own life and practice over the past year has been nothing but positive. His way of “learning out loud” makes you feel like a fellow explorer on the edge of the known universe rather than just a thirsty student.Whether discussing the “thalamic pause” (a conscious gap before reacting) or how a perfect musical interval can mirror a perfect Aikido blend, his insights have provided me with tools to stay centered amidst the abstract terrors of modern society.Quantum Aikido, bridges ancient wisdom and the cutting-edge science of today. It’s a guide for anyone looking to cultivate a beautiful world through the art of peace and harmony.Check it out here!Quantum Aikido Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

As we roll through the holiday season, I’d like to take a quick moment to wish you all joy and felicity (I love that word).2025 has been quite interesting, to say the least. Am I right?This is an especially reflective time for me, specifically in regards to this podcast, as its one-year anniversary is coming up on January 15th.I’m deeply grateful for the subscriber support, the vast insight gleaned from my guests, and the quality interactions I’ve been fortunate enough to engage in over the past year.Aikido is (obviously) tremendously important to me, and I hope to be able to continue this project for as long as humanly possible, digging ever deeper and seeking new avenues to extend some more ki to the city.On this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tom Gardner Sensei, an integral long-time member and teacher at Bond Street Dojo.Tom Sensei has been a profoundly positive influence for me personally during the decade since I first joined Bond Street. He’s essential to the dedicated lineage of instructors ensuring that Aikido remembers its mission and maintains its relevance.Through four decades of diligent training at various world-renowned dojos, both in the U.S. and Japan, he’s refined a practice that balances astute technical savvy with an extraordinary exhibition of Aikido principles in action.In every class Tom Sensei leads, without fail, I find myself learning something new, whether it’s a subtle nuance in a weapons kata or a timely tip on how to further strengthen the “mind-body connection”.His approach to teaching is indicative of what makes Bond Street so special. Classes often feel like a collaborative workshop, where we test our ability to stay centered and calm under the intense pressures of conflict.In this conversation, we delve into Tom’s tremendous wealth of experience training with a myriad of well-respected (and sometimes polarizing) teachers.We also spend some time reflecting on the future viability of our beloved art.I don’t want to give too much of his profound secret wisdom away, so, please, check out the episode…By the way, there are still some limited copies of Don Dickie Sensei’s book, Silent Winds of Aikido, available.Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you are interested in receiving a copy, and I’ll fill you in on all the details.Happy New Year! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Kenneth Kron Sensei’s perspective on Aikido has been shaped by a truly remarkable lineage; he’s a long-time student of Robert Nadeau Shihan and Richard Moon Sensei.To understand the depth Kenneth Sensei brings to his practice, one must first consider the well he’s drawn from.Robert Nadeau Shihan is one of the few, fortunate, “westerners” to study directly with O-Sensei, bringing home a vision of Aikido which prioritizes the transformation of self and the shifting of dimensional awareness over physical combat. His influence on Aikido in America is enormous in importance.Richard Moon has trained with Nadeau Sensei for over 55 years, yet maintains a humble approach to instruction, frequently stating that he doesn’t teach, but is instead learning out loud. He focuses heavily on the “Aikido that cannot be seen,” prioritizing the energetic pulse and the transformation of awareness over physical mechanics.(If you’re new to this podcast and have not yet heard my previous interview with Richard Moon Sensei, I highly recommend it. Or, just wait a few weeks for when I speak to him about his upcoming book: Quantum Aikido.)Kenneth Sensei has been instrumental in preserving and transmitting this lineal wisdom via the popular YouTube channel: Moon Sensei.This channel acts as a vital digital dojo, archiving the “Centered Wisdom” that characterizes their unique exploration of the art.It’s a repository for those who seek to understand how aiki operates as a socio-organizational technology—something that can be used to reconcile the discords of daily life.Oh, and they got a Substack too! Quantum AikidoFair warning: our conversation gets pretty deep and personal.Could be a consequence of recording on the winter solstice.Speaking of, I want to take this moment to wish everyone reading/listening a very Happy Holiday.I’m hoping to get one more episode out before the New Year, but I don’t have anyone booked as of yet. If you have any suggestions/volunteers, let me know…Fret not, I got a full slate planned for January.I’d like to take a brief moment to remind you of Don Dickie Sensei’s generous offer from a few weeks ago.In support of the mission of this podcast, he’s graciously donated a limited number of copies of his deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido.This book is a magnificent vehicle for spiritual inquiry utilizing freeform verse. If you are able to make a donation to help keep Ki to the City on “the airwaves,” we can arrange to get a copy (or a few) to you.Please email me directly at [email protected] to set something up.Enjoy! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode, I had the pleasure of being joined by a true inspiration and a good friend of mine (from real life), Phil Cappello.We met when I was an uchi-deshi back in ‘08—and here we are, seventeen years later, as he put it, “Still training, still trying to figure some of this stuff out.”Phil’s journey is remarkable, an extraordinary story in which the discovery of Aikido provided holistic relief from severe injury trauma and catalyzed his mission to transform how we approach the simple, yet potentially terrifying, act of falling.At twenty years old, Phil survived an astounding fifty-foot fall off the roof of an apartment building. This life-changing event put him way past the statistical margin of survival; as I learned in this episode, falls over thirty feet are about 50% fatal.This incident (obviously) instantly transformed his life.The physical damage was immense: Phil emerged with seventeen broken bones, broken ribs (as in, all of them), a perforated lung, a damaged spleen, and catastrophic injury to his arm, resulting in his humerus, elbow, and shoulder being blown out, leading to paralysis in his elbow and wrist for years.The medical advice he received was counterintuitive to his nature as a highly active Division 1 lacrosse player: he was told to protect the injury, and cautioned against exercise.Yet, even the doctors admitted that his athleticism was likely what saved him from contracting pneumonia, highlighting the irony that the active life they were telling him to abandon was the source of his initial survival.Despite the severity of his injuries, Phil possessed an inherent, deep-seated athletic drive, didn’t want to get pneumonia, and sought a way to maintain his conditioning. Driven by this necessity, he threw himself into rehabilitation, using a background in wrestling to inform his recovery.In 2003, Phil discovered Aikido. He was quickly disabused of the notion that it was a “soft art” when he saw that much of the practice was acutely devoted to the very physical challenge that now terrified him most: falling.He was faced with the immediate psychological pressure of grappling with an experience that had nearly killed him, yet he quickly realized that Aikido offered something revolutionary, providing more than a physical redemption arc. Aikido offered a healing modality unmatched by anything else.Through practicing throws and falls in the dojo, he was able to confront and overcome the (totally) understandable fear of falling that threatened to stifle his natural proclivity for action.This realization was revelatory: he was able to do what he’d always loved—wrestling and grappling—but in a “totally different” context where violence was not the objective.Phil’s experience has led him to dedicate his current work to sharing the unique value of Aikido’s distinct ukemi practice with the wider world.He is now the driving force behind the innovative program he calls “Ukemi: The art of falling.” Check out the website here: https://thefallingexpert.com/His goal is to translate a core skill of Aikido—the ability to fall safely and rise again—into a system accessible to the general public.This mission is directly inspired by his own family, noting that for elderly people, falling is a real concern and a worry. Phil realized that most people might not need to know how to perform Ikkyo, but everyone could stand to learn how to more safely engage with the dynamics of a fall.Phil has adapted the methodology of traditional martial arts masters, such as Jigoro Kano, structuring his curriculum around training a practitioner in forty foundational falls over a period of five years, consciously emulating the highly successful educational model of Judo.This program serves a wide range of individuals, from senior citizens in need of basic fall prevention to competitive martial artists who want to get more comfortable with the standing phase of grappling.Ultimately, Phil’s work epitomizes the principle of giving back, stemming from the self-mastery he achieved through dedicated training. He took the profound, life-saving lessons learned on the tatami and formalized them into a vital service, ensuring that the peaceful and protective dimension of the art is accessible to a much larger segment of the population.This, to me, is the ultimate expression of the spirit of Aikido, turning personal trauma into a universal therapeutic offering—a true art of peace and harmony in action. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I first had Don Dickie Sensei as a guest back in April, and he blew my mind with his vivid, coherent, and powerful description of meditation, inspiring me to finally pursue my own inner practice in earnest.(Brief update on how that practice is going: I’ve so far cobbled together aspects of what I’m learning from Don Sensei, Linda Holiday Sensei, and Koichi Barrish Sensei, with some leftover vestiges of previous “astral travel” experiments. Overall, I’m feeling pretty connected to the universe.)Don Sensei’s impressive background includes intensive studies in kinesiology, cognitive psychology, and Tibetan Buddhism. This unique perspectival expertise provides him a multifocal lens through which to examine the connections between movements, mental states, and spiritual aspirations.His understanding of the mind-body connection is phenomenal.He’s also the author of several illuminating books you can find at this link: dondickie.com As someone who has attempted to juggle a fusion of creative writing and Aikido practice—while seeking to explore the dynamic flow of both—I’m thrilled to delve into an author’s work that consciously harnesses this synergy.On this special episode, Don Sensei reads selected pieces from his deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido.This inspirational collection of poems is a vehicle for active spiritual inquiry, an eloquent path towards attaining greater awareness.I’m in awe of how viscerally he’s able to describe both the inner and outer worlds we inhabit in our practice—the action and the stillness, simultaneously.For instance, in the poem titled “Awareness,” this elusive concept is defined beautifully through metaphor, highlighting its subtle, pervasive quality:It’s a soft thing, not hard or sharp. More a blanket enveloping without constraint. No matter how comfortable, other things demand our attention… An attack comes silently, unaware, unprepared. You are hit.The lack of a soft, all-encompassing awareness ultimately leads to getting caught up in trifling conflict, describing the literal and figurative “Story of Randori.”Don Sensei emphasizes that the practice of overall awareness is not an end unto itself; it’s the catalyst for refining our intuition, an inner guidance granted divine provenance by O Sensei. This development is a crucial step on the way to fulfilling Aikido’s true stated goal: making the world a better place.But beyond the literary and metaphysical, we also, importantly, discussed Don Sensei’s extremely generous offer to help support this podcast.He’s graciously donated a limited number (125 copies) of Silent Winds of Aikido.They’re available to listeners who’d like to make a (badly needed) donation to help keep this project going.If you’d like to receive a copy (or multiple copies—think New Year’s gift for your dojo), please email me directly at [email protected] for more details.I’m extremely grateful for this gesture. Don Sensei has been a great friend and supporter of this project since the very beginning.His faith in my mission means the world to me, and I’d love to introduce his writing to those who are otherwise unaware of his profound wisdom.So please, reach out to me if you’re interested in receiving a copy. Even if you’re unable to make a monetary contribution at this time, sharing this episode on social media (or something like that) would go a long way.The goal is to share the message.Peace Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I had the immense pleasure of speaking with yet another board member of Aiki Extensions, Susan Dutton Sensei, Chief Instructor at Aiseishinkan dojo in Green Bay, Wisconsin.If there’s one theme that’s continually revealed itself throughout this podcast’s first year of taking shape, it’s the phenomenal potential of Aikido to transcend boundaries beyond physical training.Susan Dutton Sensei’s fascinating background, expertise, and dedication to applying Aikido principles make her work wonderfully unique and highly impactful, particularly in the realm of emotional and psychological well-being.Eq-do (her own brilliant portmanteau) is the term she’s coined for her coaching practice, bridging the philosophical depth of Aikido with contemporary somatic/psychological science and applying these integrated principles to facilitate healing.According to Susan Sensei, a fundamental insight of EQ-do is that by using the physical body to teach emotional concepts, they stick at a much deeper level than purely cognitive information.A great example she uses is teaching emotional distancing by demonstrating that once students learn to take hanmi and feel their power to not be affected by a gentle push, they realize they are responsible for their own balance, not the actions of another.Susan Sensei’s practice is many-layered, drawing on principles that go beyond simple technique, incorporating mental and spiritual intention:One particularly fascinating facet of her work involves the practice and teaching of TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises), a sequence of exercises designed to facilitate the release of deep tension through body tremors. These neurogenic tremors are a natural way to reset the body when the nervous system is locked in fight or flight mode, thereby freeing the mind to access higher wisdom.It’s really incredible stuff.Pretty much blew my mind.But I don’t want to give too much away…Because I want you to listen to the episode!Don’t forget to check out all the amazing things going on at Aiki Extensions. They’re genuinely trying to make the world a better place. I cherish every conversation I’ve had with them so far and hope to do my part to spread the word far and wide. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Exploring the transformative potential of Aikido through this project has led me down some unexpected, yet highly rewarding, paths.Connecting with (and receiving wisdom from) truly visionary people like Richard Sims has positively influenced my own practice substantially.Our conversation sits right at the heart of everything this podcast aims to explore: the intersection of philosophy and tangible, interpersonal impact.Richard serves as a dedicated board member of Aiki Extensions, which shows right off the bat how devoted he is to extending the principles and practices of Aikido beyond the physical dojo space, pursuing a broad societal benefit.As you may have noticed by my recent guest list, Somatics has become a keen interest of mine as of late.Richard is instrumental in the field, serving as the president of the board of ISMETA (the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association).He defines somatics as the “in-depth study of the self from your lived experience, emphasizing the intentional, coordinated awareness and use of the body, mind, and spirit for the betterment of the individual and their community.”We explore in depth the role that this heightened awareness could play in enhancing Aikido practice.We also discuss how the integration of Aiki principles and somatic awareness is culminating in an exciting project being currently undertaken by Aiki Extensions: A trauma handbook that Richard is co-authoring alongside fellow board members, Jamie Zimron and Susan Dutton, all of whom possess expertise in both Aikido and trauma work.This handbook is expected to roll out early next year. I will cover it extensively here, so stay tuned for that.I feel incredibly fortunate to be connected to this AE community. I’ve interviewed several AE board members so far, and every talk has led me to want to get involved deeper into the ultra-important work they are doing.Their sincere dedication to global peace and human betterment through the principles of Aikido constantly renews my own faith.I look forward to continuous learning about how we can all use the principles of Aikido to make the world a better place.To learn more about Richard Sims, please check out his website here: Richardesims.com Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode,My talk with Liam Robertson, musician and aikidoka (Aikido of Petaluma), moved pretty deftly (if I do say so myself) into an exploration of the profound philosophical and physical resonances between these two harmonic arts.We got into a sound discussion (get it?) on the many parallels between Aikido and music, ultimately recognizing them both as empowering disciplines that refine our natural emotional expressions, offering the opportunity, through harmonic shifts, to move beyond “ego.”A further focus on authentic, present expression led us into the realm of somatics, specifically Liam’s understanding that the body is your first instrument.Strozzi-Heckler Sensei, defines somatics as the art and study of the soma, viewing the body as a “living wholeness” where mind, body, and spirit are integrated.Liam applies this principle directly in his music teaching, asserting that the body is the primary instrument for self-expression, preceding the voice. This approach requires the practitioner to witness what is occurring in the body, paying attention to posture and presence, etc.Sounds like Aikido...We also contemplated the critical role of competition in shaping both arts, particularly the revolutionary non-competitive stance of Aikido.In our modern, atomized, and hyper-competitive world, the Aikido dojo offers a necessary sanctuary for people seeking more harmony in their lives.As in playing music with a joyful devotion, when practice is collaborative, it allows us to transcend the illusory quality of separation and division.Don’t miss this one! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of “Ki to the City,” we dive into one of our most candid and courageous conversations yet, featuring Matt Gano, a long-time student of Koichi Barrish Sensei.Despite engaging in some profoundly insightful conversations with Barrish Sensei, and having the honor of attending (online) his Chouhai morning prayer sessions on the weekends, I’ve yet to have the fortune of ever directly training with him.Matt gives us a panoramic view of what it was like to discover Aikido by chancing upon the dojo of this amazing Sensei and wonderful human being.Matt’s journey into Aikido began, as many do, with a search for self-defense, but has evolved into something much deeper: a search for awareness. He’s come to the understanding that we are all expressions of nature, and our practice is the dedicated process of refining that awareness and expression.We ruminate on the numerous allusions O Sensei made to Aikido being expressed most clearly in nature, which led to a long, but highly infotaining (I promise) digression into the behavioral intelligence of crows and ravens and our own personal experiences trying to befriend members of the corvid family.Matt views his struggles with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and social anxiety through the lens of training, considering difficult experiences like appearing on this podcast as a form of practice – shugyo in daily life.His unique insights provide another timely reminder that Aikido is far more than just a set of physical techniques; it’s a therapeutic exercise and a vital source of strength for navigating the complexities of modern life.I could write much more about the deep, frank, open, lively, joyful conversation we had, but I want you to listen to the episode!If you’d like to read some of Matt’s impressions on Aikido and life, please visit Aikiweb.com, where you can find his writing.(I tried to post the link, but as we talk about in the episode, I always have trouble accessing Aikiweb. My computer told me to “delete my cookies”. I don’t even know what that means. Sorry.) Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

How does embracing our body’s non-cognitive intelligence offer us infinite pathways to creativity and conflict resolution that our overthinking minds cannot?This week, I had a vivifying conversation in which we traverse that very question.I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Dr. Elisabet Lahti, a brilliant researcher and educator from Helsinki, Finland.Dr Lahti is world-renowned for studying and celebrating the ancient Finnish concept of Sisu, which she describes as Somatic Resilience: the universal human capacity to endure under pressure and take action against slim odds, unearthing courage from deep within.Sisulab is her fantastic website and podcast, which I sincerely suggest you check out to learn more about the profound work she’s doing.Dr Lahti’s journey into understanding this deep inner strength is powerfully, deeply personal. Her own experience drove her probing research: How do humans find a way to overcome extreme difficulty? What is Sisu beyond concept?She pushed her limits, running 1,500 miles across the entire length of New Zealand to research Sisu viscerally while simultaneously supporting a campaign to end domestic violence.Intense effort led to a massive realization: the old idea of “mind over matter” wasn’t the path to true strength. This discovery led to the foundation of her groundbreaking concept: Gentle Power.Dr Lahti describes Gentle Power as the high octave version of Sisu. It’s the way to use the primordial human life force in a conscious manner. She emphasizes that being relaxed is vital; being relaxed doesn’t mean that you’re powerless. Gentle Power is the yin and the yang, the hard and soft qualities in harmony.Gentle Power is strength that is unforced, tender, and tempered, combining fierce resolve with softness and discernment. When describing its effect, she states that Gentle Power doesn’t grasp, doesn’t impose, doesn’t demand, doesn’t pretend, and yet, it expresses, states, and excels, allowing you to use your vital life force (Ki) without burning out.One huge takeaway from our talk, for me, was the reminder that cognitive reality is not the only reality. I notice that in most of these talks, this resolution of the schism between “mind” and “body” is often discussed. I’m learning so much.Dr Lahti shares how her background in social psychology had conditioned her to view human behavior and strength as something primarily mental. But her own research helped her realize that Sisu is more somatic than cognitive. She notes that as we grow up and enter society, we are often robbed of our natural way of moving through the world, forcing most things to seem to happen only in the cognitive realm, almost like we are constrained by a “cognitive broadband.” This is limiting, to say the least.She views Aikido as the necessary “yin side” to balance sheer determination, constantly giving the impetus to relax more. This helps develop the intelligence of the body and teaches us how to harmonize and blend to dissolve conflict of energy.Borrowing a phrase from past guest, Richard Moon, we were really just “learning out loud” together.Hope you enjoy the episode! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ki to the City, I was joined by Scott Engler of Two Rock Aikido, a long-time student of Richard Strozzi-Heckler Sensei.Scott’s journey represents a remarkable path of integrating intellectual pursuits with physical and somatic disciplines. His story moves from the rarefied air of academia and the stark environment of corporate technology to the Aikido dojo and, eventually, to becoming a professional practitioner of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy.Check out his website here: Heart of Stillness(And his Instagram is replete with informative and inspirational content)In his own words, Scott began his adult life as a highly academic person, focusing his university studies on ancient Greek and Latin, becoming deeply fascinated with the ancient world. Interestingly, at the same time he was entrenched in those studies, he was competitively engaged in saber fencing, a Western martial art. He recalls that fencing generated a profound sense of aliveness—a feeling he describes in detail—a feeling much the same as what he experiences in the dojo.Scott later transitioned into the burgeoning world of computers, working for large software companies. However, the sedentary reality of “sitting in cubicles” proved physically taxing, eventually leading to breakdowns in his neck and back, compelling him to seek solutions like chiropractic care and massage.This crucial period marked his recognition that body awareness and touch needed to be integrated into his life in profound new ways.The catalyst for his full commitment came at the end of 1991 when a friend introduced him to Strozzi-Heckler Sensei’s influential book, In Search of the Warrior Spirit.Scott found the book to be a huge, personal revelation, speaking directly to his inner struggles, particularly the conflict between a deeply rooted pacifist side and a martial side, and questioning how to handle confrontations or bullies. This synchronicity deepened when he realized Richard Sensei lived nearby, leading him to the dojo in February 1992. At this pivotal moment, during a painful personal transition, when the ground was shaking beneath him, he found in Aikido and in Richard Sensei a guide to what would become his life’s work.A central theme of Scott’s training is Somatics, defined for as the art and study of the soma—an ancient Greek word for body. Scott elaborates that Somatics views the whole person—heart, mind, soul, spirit, and physicality—as interconnected. He explains that Aikido is inherently a somatic art, along with all martial arts, provided they are approached as a means to expand beyond mere technique and encompass the entire self and one’s conscious creations. This holistic approach is seen as a therapy for the schism or disconnect often fostered by Cartesian dualism in Western thought, offering a path to a more unified, aware way of being.Scott’s current professional practice, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), flows directly from his somatic foundation. BCST originated from cranial osteopathy and is distinguished by its focus on the body’s inherent, subtle processes rather than just the biomechanics of tissues, tendons, and bones. In BCST, Scott places his attention on the unified fluid field within the body, listening intently to the slow, deep rhythm described as the “primary respiration” or the “long tide”. This practice is fundamentally concerned with supporting the body’s innate healing capacity, offering a less mechanical route than other forms of bodywork.He made the deliberate decision to transition to this work full-time in January 2007, recognizing the necessity of cultivating his practice over a “long horizon view”.Our conversation bridges Scott’s deeply physical and therapeutic work back to his intellectual roots in ancient Greek and Latin, in the oldest literature: the epic poems Iliad and Odyssey.These are essentially warrior stories, but when studied deeply, they reveal clues about the universal human condition, mortality, and the complex questioning of violence.Together, we muse on the relationship between this ancient, martial-themed literary tradition and the modern martial path of Aikido—comparing the feeling of wrestling with the nature of a life defined by cubicle work, political cataclysms, and economic necessity, with the more acute fatalistic stresses of “battle”.Ultimately, Scott’s story embodies the somatic ideal: turning life’s conflicts and ruptures into generative actions, cultivating a path toward a more “vivid peace,” through the expansion of awareness and the continuous practice of being truly alive. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ki to the City, I sat down with my good friend and fellow Bond Street Dojo instructor, Nico Puertollano, for a candid, yet casual conversation about almost everything under the Aikido umbrella.We dove straight into the deep end, questioning the very relevancy of Aikido in the modern world. If it doesn’t feel relevant, then what’s the point?That led us to discuss the perpetually challenging state of our home dojo, Bond Street—the perils of toughing it out in NYC.This is one of the more down-to-earth episodes I’ve done.Since Nico and I train together on a regular basis, we naturally drifted into talking about some of the more technical and physical aspects of practice than I usually do on this show.How important are front rolls? How does it shift your perception of training if you view the techniques as “Kata”? What’s the function of Uke?I’m not going to spoil the answers for you, mainly because there are no definitive answers to these questions, but if you’re interested in our 4 cents’ worth, please check out the episode.Here are Nico’s Links:I’m not really an Instagram person, but Nico has a really cool IG account: AikiGramAnd look! He’s also on Substack: Nico’s SubstackI have to give you a quick peek behind the “Ki to City” curtain for a minute.I usually cap the episodes at an hour and ten minutes because my mic/headphone set-up is less than ideal, so I have to export the audio into Garageband to polish up the sound quality.This episode went a little longer than that, so I had to clip the last 15 minutes and include it here. Nico makes some very profound points, so please check it out.I truly love having and sharing these conversations, making aiki ripples, and connecting with the community. If you so happen to be in the position to become a paid subscriber, it would make a huge difference in ensuring that I can continue this project for the foreseeable future.Also, I’ve also started an alternate Substack for my writing that’s not so Aikido-focused. If you’re interested in that you can find it here: OptimysticThank youJon Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

It’s a true honor and absolute privilege to present this episode of Ki to the City, featuring my conversation with one of the most vital figures in contemporary Aikido.Linda Holiday Sensei is the founder of Aikido of Santa Cruz and the esteemed author of Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei.In addition to being an authentic, accomplished martial artist and writer, Holiday Sensei is a cultural intermediary. Her academic background, which includes a Master’s degree in East Asian Studies from Stanford University, positions her as an exceptionally reliable and significant conduit for understanding / transmitting the teachings of O-Sensei and the many other influential Sensei she’s met along the way.Her critically acclaimed book is instrumental in articulating the spiritual depth inherent in the art. It vividly describes her personal experience training closely with O-Sensei’s direct students in the mystical Kumano region of Japan, the life and trajectory of her primary teacher, Motomichi Anno Sensei, and important aspects of the founder’s path, ultimately inviting the reader into a deep study of Aikido as O-Sensei originally articulated it.This monumental work also serves as an act of cultural preservation, faithfully capturing the wisdom of Anno Sensei, one of the last remaining direct students of O Sensei—shining a bright light on the heart of Aikido.I highly recommend reading it, if you haven’t already. Here’s the link: Journey to the Heart of AikidoHoliday Sensei’s own work in founding Aikido of Santa Cruz as a non-profit educational organization, her international travels to teach (and learn from) others, and her online misogi sessions (see below), align magnificently with the founder’s aspiration to unite humanity through harmony and build a world family.I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, because I don’t want you to miss out on listening to the episode with a pair of fresh ears. (Is that even a saying, “fresh ears”?)But I do want to mention that I’m invigorated and encouraged by our chat and also now very much looking forward to participating in Holiday Sensei’s aforementioned (just one paragraph up) online misogi sessions, which you can join here: Misogi link.These virtual classes (Mon. and Wed. at 8AM PST) are an open invitation to experience misogi, chinkon kishin, chanting practices, and inspiring discussions drawn from O Sensei’s philosophy.Hope to see you there. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ki to the City, I had the distinct honor of being joined by Robert Kent, President of Aiki Extensions.Robert Sensei received Ben & Jerry’s 2008 “Peace Pioneer” prize and the Small Business Council of America’s “Humanitarian of the Year” award in 2016.I’m incredibly proud to share this conversation with you.The work being spearheaded by Aiki Extensions is profoundly important, shining as a beacon for global peace, conflict resolution, and betterment in this increasingly (to put it mildly) challenging human society.Established in 1998 by the late Professor Don Levine Sensei, Aiki Extensions Inc. is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational hub rooted in O Sensei’s core philosophy, particularly the application of “Aikido as medicine for a sick world.”Kent Sensei, serving as its President since 2009, embodies the very mission of applying Aiki principles far beyond the cozy confines of the dojo. His deep commitment to Aikido is complemented by rigorous intellectual training: he holds a BA in Religion & Philosophy from Williams College and an MA in Ethics from Claremont Graduate School.This intersection of expertise—martial arts, ethics, and philosophy—provides him with profound three-pronged credibility. It allows him to discuss the application of Aiki principles in complex, abstract domains like ethics, leadership, and international conflict with practical insight and embodied wisdom. One of the most fascinating themes we explored was the physiological transformation that Aikido facilitates. Kent Sensei is preparing to teach a course at Williams College, “Forging Character, Aikido and Cultivating Your Best Possible Self,” which posits that character is the result of better decisions and actions taken over time.He explains how Aikido training can effectively retrain the amygdala. (The amygdala is the trigger for the high-stress, shortcut decision-making system we’re born with, which typically defaults to fight, flight, freeze, fawn, or “freak out” responses.) By training physically in Aikido, the nervous system is retrained to offer compassionate, calm, centered, and blending responses. This new response eventually becomes the default under stress, leading to better decisions, actions, habits, and ultimately, better character. This concept is crucial, demonstrating how Aikido training helps us cultivate our best possible selves.The importance of Aiki Extensions, particularly concerning their dedication to global peace-building programs, cannot be overstated.One of the jewels in their portfolio is the Peace Camp Initiative (PCI), which Kent Sensei founded as a direct outgrowth of his background in teen counseling and conflict resolution. PCI functions as a scholarship fund, bringing Palestinian and Jewish youth leaders to a sports camp in upstate Pennsylvania each summer. The explicit goal is to forge bonds of friendship and trust for the next generation of leaders in the Middle East to achieve peace.By requiring participants to engage in shared physical practice, the program facilitates the embodied connection necessary for genuine rapport, bypassing cultural and linguistic barriers more effectively than traditional political exchanges. This initiative, co-directed by Robert Kent and longtime AE board member (previous guest) Jamie Leno Zimron, has provided this valuable experience for many campers over the years. (AE looks forward to when they can resume sending campers.)We also discussed Aiki Extensions’ innovative approach to societal contribution through direct therapeutic support. AE is actively developing a trauma handbook, expected to be rolled out next spring. This handbook of exercises and explanations is designed as a therapeutic tool for trauma work, enabling dojo leaders to partner with local licensed community therapists.This collaboration utilizes the dojo leader’s physical expertise and Aikido tools (focused on reconnecting with the body, improving movement pathways, and re-framing events) alongside professional therapeutic guidance, addressing various forms of trauma such as combat-related PTSD or unhealthy family dynamics. The vision here is to equip dojo-cho with additional tools, providing them with more ways to make a living while sharing the healing benefits of Aikido.I’m really looking forward to that.Aiki Extensions also serves as a crucial connective hub, supporting a wider network of like-minded initiatives globally. This support is largely channeled through the Seed & Support Grant Program, which offers modest funding typically ranging from $500 to $1000. This decentralized, grassroots funding model is deliberate, allowing AE to maximize its global reach and catalyze diverse projects from local practitioners.Examples of the projects that AE supports demonstrate the breadth of its impact outside the traditional dojo:* Aikido With Veterans: Projects aimed at reducing PTSD symptoms and building healthy lifestyles.* Anti-bullying and ‘Aiki Kindness’ projects piloted in schools.* Community-focused initiatives, such as low-cost Aikido programs for kids and parents.* International efforts like Training Across Borders, which brings together people from conflicting nations, and projects supporting Aikido Ethiopia.* Support for related endeavors, including the International Aiki Peace Week and organizations dedicated to preserving Aikido history, such as Josh Gold’s work at Aikido Journal and Budo Accelerator.* This podcast :)It is my sincere hope that this episode sheds light on how organizations like Aiki Extensions, under the thoughtful guidance of Robert Kent Sensei, are actively transforming the philosophical ideals of Aikido into tangible global action. The philosophical commitment of Aiki Extensions aligns perfectly with my own goal of bringing more Ki to the CityTune in to hear how Aiki Extensions is supporting the movement for global peace and providing essential resources for trauma recovery, demonstrating that Aikido truly offers “vital ‘medicine’ of humane values” for an increasingly stressful world. I encourage listeners to explore the work of Aiki Extensions and consider how their personal Aikido journey can contribute to these crucial ripples of peace.For more information about Robert Kent Sensei and incredible peace-building programs and grant opportunities, please check out the following links:* www.politicalaikido.org (Robert Sensei’s article)* www.abilityproduction.org (Molly & Jeremy Hale’s website. Listen to the episode for Molly’s inspiring story)* aikiextensions.org - the AE website* peacecampinitiative.org - the PCI website * Seed Grants: https://www.aikiextensions.org/seed-grants* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AikiExtensions* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aikiextensions* Budo Accelerator (Josh Gold’s program) - https://www.budoaccelerator.org/about-usEnjoy! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I don’t know if you remember, but a few weeks ago I said I wanted to focus more attention on Aikido, on my guests—and less on my “self.”To that end, I decided to channel my more experimental and personal literary ambitions into a forthcoming book (tentatively titled Non Prophet Bourgeois Samurai).This Substack, after all, is called “Ki to the City,” right? It should be about promoting Aikido, not getting hijacked and subsumed by exercises in lyric essay exposition.The Aikido aspect of my life is going pretty well (thanks for asking). The energy in the dojo has picked up quite a bit. It’s Fall now, and people always point to the summer for lulls in attendance. We’ve gotten a few new members recently who seem keen on sticking around. The training has been invigorating.Ikeda Sensei is coming this weekend. I’m always blown away by his seemingly otherworldly abilities. During his seminars, I honestly do try to move my partners with my mind. So far, I’ve been unable to do it, but he clearly demonstrates that it’s possible, so I gotta keep trying.Regarding the podcast: I’m really excited about forthcoming episodes. I’ve got some great guests lined up. I’m not going to spoil who they are, but stay tuned, and I think you’ll be pleased with the discourse.When I started this project, I didn’t realize that I would actually be able to get anyone to come on. Maybe you can tell by now, I feel like I have little in common with other people. But what we do have in common is very special to me.Aikido is very special to me, the bonds… It’s funny because my dojo is called “Bond Street,” though we’re not on Bond Street anymore.Sometimes I think we should change the name to reflect our community better, you know, “Harlem Aikido” or “Harlem Budo Center” (something like that). Maybe we’d get more locals because they’d feel like we’re part of the neighborhood.But I like the symbolism of Bond Street. It is a street dojo. We’re on a very noisy, dirty, crowded New York City street. All through class we hear music and sirens blaring through the windows.I’m almost reminded of a quote relayed to me by a good friend years ago…I say, “almost reminded” because I don’t remember it verbatim and I can’t find it on the internet. Maybe he made it up himself? Here’s my paraphrased version:“It’s easy to meditate in a quiet temple; not so easy in a crowded marketplace.”Our dojo is not in a “nice” neighborhood—I’m saying that as someone who grew up in “not-nice” neighborhoods. I don’t mean it in a pejorative sense. Though some people might be scared off by the location, I’m proud of it. I’m proud that we have a dojo right smack dab in the middle of the mayhem. We’re bonded by the street we train on.You might be wondering how my book is coming along…I’ve gotten over 50,000 words written. It’s like a 50,000-piece puzzle. Okay, maybe not. Maybe it’s more like a hundred piece puzzle because I can usually manage to keep “on topic” for at least 500 words in a row.Maybe it’s because I’m from New York, or maybe it’s my milieu, the time I grew up in, my conversational wavelength. I change the subject often, I know that. This might hamper me as a writer (unless I finally just accept that I can only write ‘lyric essays’).Here are the working names of some of the “chapters”, just so you can get an idea of the psyche I’m contending with over here:Guru PhobicStarlight RefinedRare Nocturnal Talking CentipedeMaybe Now is a Good Time to Talk About the GenieAre Delusions Flammable?Raw FoolAlliterate GuineaOptimystic (with a “why”), get it?I’ll have you know that I’m trying to write as normally as possible. I’m trying. I’m aiming for the ‘mainstream.’ I don’t want to be ‘avant-garde.’I’m not trying to be hoity-toity. I still watch sports. I still watch detective shows, and wrestling (don’t tell anyone.) But here I am, writing lyric essays.I mean, how pretentious is that?At least the Aikido is going well. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this special edition of Ki to the City, we present a unique “swapcast” featuring an insightful conversation with a dedicated Aikidoka, Jeannys Nnembeng, who is driving a critical new initiative to ensure the future health and inclusivity of Aikido.Jeannys, a fellow member of Bond Street Dojo and Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), joins us to discuss her journey and this major project she is leading.(We structured this conversation as a “swapcast”—first, I interviewed Jeannys for Ki to the City; then, we switched roles to record my story for her exciting new initiative)Jeannys is heading a vital social engagement project for ASU, focused on promoting inclusion and diversity across the Aikido community. This project, titled “Aikido: Your Story,” aims to attract the next generation of Aikidoka by making the practice feel accessible and representative.She notes that while Aikido is a beautiful martial art, its non-competitive nature doesn’t always attract a younger demographic. To counter this, her team is leveraging social media to build a lasting resource. This database of interviews will showcase the stories of diverse Aikidoka, covering challenges faced and tips for newcomers.The objective is simple yet profound: representation matters. If potential students can look at this resource and see demographics that look like them, they might feel motivated to try Aikido.Jeannys’s commitment stems from her philosophical grounding, honed both on the mat and in her high-stress career as a physician and researcher, focusing primarily on health disparities and caregivers.She confessed that she originally started Aikido for “all the wrong reasons”—mainly seeking community and wishing to improve her English after moving to the U.S. from Gabon, Africa. However, she stayed for the “good ones,” drawn to the philosophy and the appeal of using mechanics and technique, rather than brute strength. The realization that personal growth stems from internal victory is core to her drive.Our conversation quickly expanded beyond the dojo, delving into how Aikido principles translate directly into managing real-world conflict and complexity. Jeannys detailed her own journey as a Type A perfectionist and how Aikido helped her develop resilience. She explained that Aikido taught her that if “the straightforward line doesn’t necessarily go... you have other options”. She learned to embrace circular and elliptic motions, realizing that having a plan B or C is essential, whether dealing with professional research reviewers or interpersonal relationships.Jeannys highlighted the central role of blending and mutual effort found in partner practice (Uke/Nage). She emphasized the Aikido principle of meeting a partner’s energy, observing, and then using their dynamic to make a technique work. She applies this in non-physical confrontations, preferring to “step back and observe” rather than being immediately offended or frustrated by behavior.She wisely suggests that you cannot change other people, but you can always change yourself, a powerful insight that guides her work in promoting inclusivity. She beautifully articulated how Aikido training demands relating to others, fostering cooperation, and breaking down duality, noting that if you are an aggressive Nage, you won’t find a cooperative Uke.The second half of our conversation shifts as Jeannys interviews me for the “Aikido: Your Story” project. This provides a window into my own deeply held, sometimes obsessive, motivation for launching Ki to the City and focusing so heavily on the art. And how, despite my personal aversion to social media and technology—a recurring theme in my writing, often prompted by the overwhelming “cybernetic dystopia” of modern life—I’m compelled to keep goingBut enough about me…Jeannys’s project is exactly the kind of grassroots promotion and community building that’s necessary for the art’s future; taking the ASU mission of inclusion directly to the next generation, proving that the principles of Aiki are the ultimate tool for navigating both the dojo and the overwhelming complexities of the modern world.The goal, common to both of our projects, is to articulate and communicate Aikido’s transformative power to a larger audience.And to get more people on the mat!If you are interested in becoming part of Aikido: your story, reach out to me (here on Substack, Email or Facebook) and I will get you in touch with Jeannys.Oh, and here are the “Koshinage videos” that we were talking about… Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On July 21 of this year, the world of martial arts and Eastern philosophy sadly marked the passing of John Stevens Sensei.Stevens Sensei was much more than an Aikido instructor; he was a scholarly interpreter, a literary bridge connecting esoteric traditions of Japan with a global audience seeking a pathway to harmony and peace.With over forty books to his name, Stevens Sensei’s enduring impact stems largely from his ability to synthesize these disciplines, consciously writing about the philosophical and spiritual facets of Budo to create a profound body of work.John Stevens Sensei’s books are considered indispensable for modern Aikidoka. As a scholar, he specialized in translating complex Japanese cultural concepts, like kototama and misogi, making them understandable and actionable for a global readership unfamiliar with Shinto mythology or esoteric Buddhism.His most influential contribution remains The Art of Peace, a translation and compilation of O Sensei's teachings. This book’s reach far exceeded the traditional martial arts community, introducing millions to the philosophy of Aikido. (And, as evidenced by its appearance in The Walking Dead, will come in handy during a Zombie apocalypse.)Stevens Sensei's articulation of Aikido as a path for lifelong physical and spiritual development and his view of the dojo as a mirror of an ideal society offers a vital antidote to stress and conflict.To explore the continuing vitality of this legacy, I sat down with Wilbert Sluiter Sensei, a long-time student of Stevens Sensei and a torchbearer for the lineage of Stevens and his deeply revered teacher, Rinjiro Shirata Sensei.Sluiter Sensei leads the Heiwakan Dojo in The Hague, Netherlands—a name bestowed by Stevens Sensei, meaning "Peace Hall," aptly suited for a city that hosts the International Court of Justice and embodies the philosophy of peace.Demands on his time highlight the practical necessity of this philosophical lineage: he currently maintains a busy life as an physician and family man while dedicating his remaining energy to preserving and teaching “Classical Aikido”.This balance underscores a central tenet of the art: true practice extends beyond the dojo mat into the chaos of daily life.A cornerstone of Sluiter Sensei’s teaching, and the philosophy championed by John Stevens, rests on the experiences of Stevens’ own teacher, Rinjiro Shirata Sensei. Shirata Sensei began his training in the founder’s hard-style Aiki Budo, entering the Kobukan dojo in 1931 as a young man. His path, however, was dramatically altered by historical conflict.Shirata Sensei was drafted into the Japanese army during the Second World War. As an officer and commander, he endured terrible experiences, evidenced later by the scars of bullets and cuts he bore on his body.This intense experience with mass death and destruction led him to harbor a deep disdain for fighting and fueled his dedication to the non-violent, spiritual core of Aikido. This background gave him a unique filter through which to receive the founder’s teachings, focusing intently on the philosophy of peace and reconciliation.This transformation is perhaps best illustrated by Shirata Sensei’s instruction on the technique shihonage (Four Directions Throw). While many view it merely as a physical technique, Shirata Sensei interpreted it as a fundamental lesson in gratitude. He linked the technique to O Sensei’s practice of shiho hai—a morning prayer bowing in four directions—expressing thanks to one's parents, teachers, and environment.For Shirata Sensei, having survived the horrors of war, the simple ability to practice shihonage was a profound act of thankfulness. This practice offers a powerful emotional and mental tool, as it is impossible to be fearful or depressed while genuinely summoning gratitude. This spiritual focus ensures that the practice remains a means of unification and personal transformation.This distinctive system inherited by Sluiter Sensei is known as Classical Aikido. This system, established by Stevens Sensei with the approval of Shirata Sensei, is a deliberate effort to preserve the spiritual and philosophical vision of Aikido.Classical Aikido operates on O Sensei’s dictum that "study and practice are the two wheels of the path". It rejects the notion of simply rote memorization of techniques. Instead, physical training should be coupled with contemplation and intellectual study of the art's deeper origins, including examining O-Sensei's calligraphy, poetry, and history. This approach embraces the founder’s three levels of the art: the manifest (physical techniques), the hidden (ki and breath power), and the divine (spiritual transformation).The curriculum is structured around Shirata Sensei’s philosophical framework (originally six, later nine pillars) designed to make the comprehensive and sometimes overwhelming techniques of the lineage accessible to "working people who visit the dojo three times a week". These principles ensure techniques must be "true, good, and beautiful"—meaning they must be martially effective ("true"), beneficial to both partners ("good"), and aesthetically harmonious ("beautiful").Furthermore, Classical Aikido integrates core spiritual methods, such as misogi (purification), kototama (the chanting of sacred syllables), and Chinkon Kishin (calming the spirit). As Sluiter Sensei explains: the core principle of Classical Aikido is irimi (entering), defining it not merely as a physical movement but as a means of "becoming one" with the partner, the spouse, or the world, moving together in a grateful and unified way.Through his dedicated work teaching and upholding the complex, spiritual, and physical curriculum of Classical Aikido—a task he performs while balancing the intense responsibilities of an emergency physician—Wilbert Sluiter Sensei is ensuring that the integrated legacy of John Stevens and Rinjiro Shirata Sensei continues to inform and enrich the lives of practitioners across the globe.For more information, check out his FB page Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Kevin Cunningham is the first Bond Street Dojo member (besides myself, of course) to be featured on this podcast. He holds a truly special place in the history of our dojo, and I’m eager to share our recent conversation.I hope you will be as encouraged by it as I was.Kevin’s insights are invaluable, providing a candid window into the rich traditions, the camaraderie, and the transformative experiences that have defined the dojo for so many.His dedication and consistent presence offer an unparalleled and deeply personal perspective on Bond Street's evolution and enduring legacy.For over two decades, he’s actively contributed to shaping the dojo's character and fostering its unique atmosphere, making him an indispensable figure and a steadfast pillar of the community.His remarkable background story is testament to Aikido's real-world application, starting from incredibly challenging circumstances.Kevin's introduction to Aikido (1973 in Austin, Texas) was far from conventional. He was working in high-security mental hospitals with violent psychotic individuals, a demanding environment that immediately put Aikido principles to the test.He recounts a transformative experience where he was required to work one-on-one with a severely disturbed 15-year-old, tied to him by a belt for 12 hours a day, functioning as the patient's "impulse control."This direct, daily application accelerated his understanding of ki flow and how to use energy from the heart. His expertise in non-violent self-defense and conflict resolution led him to become an instructor for the Texas mental health system, where he routinely used Aikido principles, including disarming individuals of weapons, when no other options were available. His personal experience vividly demonstrates how Aikido works in “real life.”Kevin's connection to Bond Street Dojo is deeply rooted. In Bond Street, he found a welcoming artistic community, the "mythical dojo" he’d sought upon moving to New York. He notes that the Bond Street style was less stiff and more responsive than his previous training, allowing him to integrate both good ki extension and solidity with a more “watery” and responsive approach. He recounts the privilege of working directly with Saotome Sensei, who taught him the principles of a less defensive and more connected and smooth response to a potential attack.Kevin is deeply invested in the dojo's future and (like most of us) recognizes the challenges of maintaining membership, particularly in this current milieu of societal atomization. Despite this, he remains an optimistic voice, actively working towards Bond Street's self-sufficiency model by expanding its offerings as a Budo center. He firmly believes that the dojo's commitment to community building and "cooperation, not competition" represents the Aiki way forward.Kevin probes the depths of the profound philosophical underpinnings of Aikido. His fascination lies in how "empathy works and musubi functions to change violence into something." For him, musubi—connection—is a "kinesthetic sense" felt even "before contact," enabling an empathetic response to an attacker. He passionately argues that while any Aikido technique can be a killing technique, its true focus is protection and offering choice, teaching practitioners to stay calm under pressure and analyze situations objectively rather than reacting instinctually. This training has proven invaluable in his professional and personal life.His brilliant work running 3LD.org, a non-profit arts organization, stands as a testament to this dedication and application of Aikido principles. His ability to remain centered, calm, and objective (particularly during high-pressure negotiations with the MTA) allows him to effectively defend the organization's mission and provide a crucial hub for pure creativity in New York City.Even in the face of post-COVID funding challenges, Kevin's commitment to cooperative ethics and finding self-sufficient models continues to inspire hope for the future of arts and technology.(And the dojo)Enjoy! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

With humanity being divided further into violently discordant ideological cults (at least from what I’m witnessing via current social media discourse), this conversation with Jamie Leno-Zimron is exactly what I needed to keep my faint faith flame flickering. I hope we can provide some peace and harmony to your timeline as well.Today, more than ever, I’m proud to practice “The Art of Peace,” and Jamie Sensei represents the true mission of Aikido as well as anyone I’ve spoken to.Her journey is one of remarkable, real-world impact and dedication.She was part of a pioneering group (led by Koichi Barrish) that introduced Aikido to the former Soviet Union in 1987, training dangerously underground when martial arts were outlawed.Her commitment to citizen diplomacy continued with initiatives like Salaam Shalom Aikido, an effort she started to bridge the cultural gap between Palestinians and Israelis through the art's non-violent principles, laying the foundation for further “Training Across Borders.” She’s also a co-director of the PeaceCamp Initiative, bringing teenagers from conflict-ridden areas in the Middle East to the United States to build bonds through Aikido.Jamie Sensei's involvement with Aiki Extensions demonstrates sincere dedication to global peace and human betterment through Aikido's principles. As a long-standing board member, she has been instrumental in extending the organization's founder, Don Levine Sensei's, visionary mission: to apply Aikido's principles and practices beyond the dojo into all realms of human activity, including education, business, leadership, psychology, healing work, sports, and, most critically, peace-building.Her current and urgent work is at the forefront of Ukraine relief efforts, spearheading funding and delivering, in person, somatic, Aikido-based stress and trauma relief sessions at refugee centers in Poland and Ukraine. These annual support trips highlight her unwavering resolve to empower war-weary individuals, especially women and children, with the vital "medicine of humane values and harmonious practices," creating lasting ripples of positive change and resilience.I feel like we could have talked for much longer. We were just scratching the surface of the immensely deep potential Aikido holds as a remedy for this increasingly hostile milieu we’re finding ourselves being subsumed by.Click the link for further information about the ultra important work being done by Aiki ExtensionsAnd to learn about Jamie Leno-Zimron Sensei, visit The Centered Way Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for indulging me these last few weeks.I know I've gotten a little bit off the track of what this project was originally supposed to be about; I've made it too much about myself.I guess you could say I went through a bit of a funk, but I feel like I'm back to normal now—well, as normal as I could be—and I'm happy to say that there are three really interesting guests lined up, so you won't have to endure any solo episodes for a while.In order to un-muddy these waters, I've decided to write a book to help me channel all that "personal writing" somewhere else.I know I said I was writing a book already, a few months ago, about “Aikido as Theurgy,” but I can't really write those kinds of books. I can't academically compare “Aikido and Theurgy.”It made for some fascinating research, but it was kinda based on a “marketing idea” I had. I was really into Neoplatonism and I wanted to somehow link the two worlds together—like get Aikido people interested in Neoplatonism and get Neoplatonists into Aikido—but I don't know how to do that. I went on some podcasts that I thought might be interested in hearing about Aikido from the theurgical perspective, but it just didn't work.I think Aikido is theurgical. I believe O Sensei was genuinely communicating with the divine. But I simply can't write academically. Even if I have “sources,” I always feel like I'm assembling a collage of other people’s writing.I like reading academic works, but I dropped out of community college for a reason, you know?From now on, "Ki to the City" is going to have much less of my own background noise—who I thought I was before I started Aikido, etc.All that personal rigmarole will be channeled into the aforementioned book I decided I was going to write just now when I went for a nice, long walk, because it's obviously still there bubbling on the surface, and I can't just ignore or suppress it.Whenever I sit down to write, there's an aspect of my persona that kind of jumps out—clamoring to be discussed.I don't mean like I have multiple personality disorder; I'm just me. But whenever it comes time to think about what "occupation" I want to have in the world—like how I want to fit into society, what "role" I want to play—I've never been able to decide on one.I get claustrophobic thinking I have to perform one action for the rest of my life. The only thing I've ever stuck to is Aikido because it's fun, because when I go to the dojo I can participate in this living, four-dimensional Tetris action figure practice and I feel better after—and I'm cultivating my life force. I'm growing my soul; I'm adding, not subtracting. Even though I'm spending a lot of energy, I'm also receiving energy. It's hard to explain, but if you practice Aikido, I'm pretty sure you already know what I mean.Before I discovered Aikido, I had this idea of the role I was supposed to play in the bazaar theatre that is modern human society. I had the persona that I was putting up for sale, and that, unfortunately, could best be described as a subtly suicidal, sad, psychedelic, celebrity shaman poet clown with a picaresque rascal tinge.Now I know I’d rather be like a mystic martial arts philosopher type (I really wish I had an Alan Watts accent; people would take me more seriously), so I want to focus on that, but I have to acknowledge… not my shadow… I don't wanna call it “my shadow” (I’m not a Jungian) because, you know, it's its own thing; it’s not a shadow of something else… but, whatever it is, I have to acknowledge it – so I'm going to channel writing about it into that book I was talking about. I'll be putting that out in a couple months, I guess. So, if you wanna know more about me, then you could just read my book. I won’t trouble you about it here anymore.Substack is a strange medium. You can't write too deeply – you only got five minutes. I only expect you to pay attention for like five minutes. I know you have a lot going on yourself – it's going to your email, and that's annoying. Also, there are new subscribers sometimes, so I never know how to keep them updated on what I’ve written before.Now, you can expect this podcast/Substack project to be much more cleanly delineated: more about Aikido, less about me. I can dispense with all of the other stuff I was trying to shoehorn in. That'll all be in the book.I’m sincerely excited about the next few episodes. They’re going to be very insightful and indicative of what I genuinely want to focus on going forward: how Aikido really can make the world a better place.The world, right now, according to the "news cycle," is completely insane. I'm talking about s**t like "nuclear reactors on the moon." (That story got kind of hidden; no one really talked about it, but it's a real story.) They're talking about putting nuclear reactors on the moon. That's insane. That's crazy—not to mention all the other s**t that's going on (techno-feudalism)—but anyway…I'm sure we can make a dent somehow. There's gotta be a way to conjure up some authentic harmony—not forced, not hypnotic harmony—not people just being turned into cybernetic drones to dully do what they're being told.A genuine harmony.For me—for my little part—I really believe in Aikido. It's the only thing that puts me in a more harmonious mood. And if it could put me in a more harmonious mood, then I think it's worth celebrating and doing my utmost to promote however I can.Peace. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I’m tired of showing up to the dojo - to find only a handful of people there.It’s especially disheartening when considering consuming the vicious news cycle, the looming techno-feudal landscape creeping in, walking past rats scurrying through the garbage, and the “train traffic up ahead.”Last week, a couple of times, it was just me and one or another yudansha. We did a lot of weapons and jiyu waza, which was fun and selfishly good for me, but not beneficial for the overall well-being of the dojo.We need some more members. Now. Come on. Let’s go Universe…I did some “research” and discovered that Google has a program for nonprofits, offering up to $10,000 a month in “ad grants.” I figured it would be advantageous to sign up my dojo to increase our online outreach, and (so far) I’ve spent 15 hours of my life trying to get the proverbial ball rolling, to no avail.The dreary details of my failure to set this up are too tedious to recount here. It's utterly boring and stultifyingly complicated.Google doesn’t have a phone number for issues with “ad grants.” So I resorted to sending an email into the ether. Trust me, I called 5 times to try to finagle my way into a conversation with a living human being who could help, but all they did was send me links to “frequently asked questions.”Turns out, my question has not been frequently asked. Story of my life. Well, in my case, prose poem of my life. ‘Cause I can’t tell stories.I’m so unequipped for these android activities. I get petulant, impatient, unnerved, disconcerted, sitting bug-eyed in front of the computer.I could’ve spent this time on other projects (like this one) or maybe even engaging in some good old-fashioned “passing out fliers in the neighborhood.”Now I don’t know how to cajole myself into writing about something else. This situation’s consuming my psyche right now (not really; don’t worry, I’m mostly being hyperbolic as a literary device, but it is super annoying).I'm hovering above a precarious precipice - don't know what to do next. I’ve spent way too much time on this to have nothing to show for it. So I guess I’m gonna do what I always do: resort to prose poetry…I know I already told you this. Back when my mother was dying, I took a creative writing class in community college. My teacher gave me a book of Rimbaud and Baudelaire, and that sparked a fabulous inner narrative (coupled with my job delivering pizza—which afforded me the opportunity to smoke weed and listen to Jack Kerouac and Alan Watts tapes while working).The only way my life makes sense is when I transmute failure into alliterate art.So now how’m I going to sustain this endeavor, fulfill this mission, when it’s so increasingly incumbent on becoming tech savvy?This is supposed to be about my relationship with Aikido and how it benefits my life, how it helped me get past a thirst for literary vengeance against certain segments of industry and government that I hold responsible for exploiting and experimenting on poor people, including my mother. Not just her, not just me, not just my family. I feel bad for…Imagine walking around feeling bad for billions of people at once, because you recognize a psychopathic corruption within society that takes advantage of “the unwitting”. I know I'm not the only one, but it affects me all the time. That's why I lose myself in Aikido. That's why I’m trying to focus on promoting my dojo, and keeping this podcast going...I wanna see if can make this a thing - wanna see if I can feel like I'm contributing something to the good in the world, instead of complaining about the bad.On the bright side: I’ve continued to learn about Chinkon Kishin from Barrish Sensei. That’s going well. Of course, I didn’t have much time to practice any of it because all my free time was spent staring futilely at a screen, but still… it really is a gift, and I’m grateful.Ultimately, in conclusion, I retain my faith in the universe.After all, there’s always next week Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I realize I’ve been writing about myself too much lately.Honestly, it’s mostly because whenever I try to write about someone else, I can never know for sure if I'm being truthful or not.When I attempt to characterize other people—especially those I’ve never known—I can only rely on secondhand, often contradictory, sources.The challenge lies in navigating discrepancies, weighing the credibility of different narratives, and ultimately sculpting a portrait that acknowledges the ambiguity inherent in depending on information passed along linguistically.I don’t have time for all that. I’m not a historian. I’m not a scholar. I’m a beat born out of time. An amateur prose poet who fell in love with Aikido.When I write about myself—especially with the caveat that I’m gonna have to be reading it out loud, recording it, and (self) publishing it—I’m obligated to stay true… to something… still not sure what that is… (Could it really be a genie?)Early on in this project, I was writing about O Sensei much more, doing my utmost to portray him as a shaman of sorts. A figure of profound spiritual depth. But what kept happening was: me getting into arguments online with people eager to disparage him for one reason or another.My opinion of O Sensei’s life and character is largely drawn from what I've read, and I acknowledge the various viewpoints and agendas in circulation.What I truly admire about him is his struggle, his overcoming of societal and personal catastrophes to create something of tremendous value for the soul of humanity. To forge a psychically therapeutic exercise from a deadly martial art is no small feat. He was not perfect, but from the crucible of his own struggles, he gifted us Aikido.Last week, I made up my own jo kata.Is that arrogant?On one hand, I’m genuinely proud of it—it's a lot of fun, covers many angles, results in a dynamic and engaging interplay of forces… But, then again, who am I to make up my own jo kata? I’m no Shihan.It was a quiet, muggy Thursday night. I was covering for another teacher, and with a popular seminar happening that week up in Maine, attendance was sparse. Even more so than can be blamed on the typical late summer ebb.I spent the first 45 minutes of class by myself, thinking no one was gonna show up. I started playing around with a jo.A little too depressed by the bleak reality of an empty dojo to practice guided numerically by rote and repetition, I staved off the gloom by setting myself the task of constructing a new kata that would enable me to practice as many variations of strikes and parries as possible and—at the end—switch to the opposite side, satisfying my obsession with becoming ambidextrous.I was almost finished working out the uke role when a relatively new, but contagiously enthusiastic member walked in smiling, happy to be at the dojo after a stressful day of work. He quickly changed and joined me on the mat.Still in the throes of creation, I asked for his help. We spent a good bit of time working through it and got to the point where I’d at least be able to remember the sequence.The next night, I found myself in a similar situation—two of us at the dojo, this time, someone else leading class. When he suggested weapons practice, mostly to solidify my own memory of it, I offered to show him my new jo kata.I’m at a dojo that has a very strong weapons curriculum. ASU, Saotome Sensei—we have plenty of bokken and jo kata to keep us busy. There’s more than enough material to inspire a deep, endless study of timing and motion.What possesses me to make up my own jo kata? And then, in another unabashed me-centric display, write about it? Especially after starting this episode off by saying that I’ve been writing about myself too much lately.I’m almost exactly half embarrassed / half proud…I mean, about everything in my life, not just the jo kata.Hopefully that’s the right ratio for becoming a Substack superstar. Though, taking popular political trends into consideration, I’d imagine a more obtuse polarity would appeal to ‘one half or the other’.The center seems to occupy a non-existent space…I’m gonna try to work that into my kata.At least I got to sneak in some O Sensei adulation.Let’s see if it passes the social media sensors. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ki to the City, I had the awe inducing honor of sitting down (albeit, in front of my laptop) with Richard Strozzi-Heckler, the visionary founder of Two Rock Dojo and the Strozzi Institute, Center for the Study of Somatics in Action.A prolific author and teacher, Strozzi-Heckler Shihan truly embodies O Sensei's directive to employ Aiki principles in actively making the world a better place. His extensive background, spanning over 50 years in martial arts, somatic studies, psychology, and meditation, offers an unparalleled depth of wisdom that promises to enrich our understanding of Aikido's far-reaching potential.We explore the powerful concept of Somatics, defined as the art and study of a living wholeness; where mind, body, and spirit are not separate but interconnected. He highlights how this contrasts sharply with western Cartesian dualism, which postulates a distinct chasm between mind and body.As he eloquently states in The Art of Somatic Coaching, "Once the notion of an inner animating principle was dismissed, a vigorous reductionistic quantification of the material world began".This reductionist view, while advancing fields like medicine and engineering, has inadvertently led to increased mental and physical diseases by neglecting the deep intelligence of the body and the integration of our energetic selves.Listeners to this show may already know that this detachment and denial of an “animating principle” is a big concern of mine which has served as ballast for this project.This episode delves deep (as 45 minutes could allow) into how Aikido serves as a powerful antidote to this mechanistic paradigm, offering a remedy, a therapy, and a soothing balm for the modern human condition.The spiritual dimension progresses from unifying one's own mind and body to unifying with the greater mind and body of the universe. This deep connection manifests as "presence" – being centered, open to possibilities, and connected to one's purpose, enabling individuals to face into difficult situations and blend with them. (still working on this for myself, btw) Strozzi-Heckler Sensei’s own journey led him to find Aikido as a perfect exercise for integrating mind and body, a realization that often comes to Aikidoka who, like myself, initially find joy and therapeutic relief in the physical practice alone.His work truly walks the talk in applying the profound principles of Aikido beyond the dojo, resonating deeply with O Sensei's vision to influence societal leaders. Strozzi-Heckler Sensei has successfully integrated Aiki into diverse sectors, including:* The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), which he helped design, making Aiki principles foundational for every Marine.* The Trojan Warrior Project, a program for Green Berets that incorporated daily Aikido, meditation, bodywork, diet redesign, and family engagement to foster "holistic soldiers".* Training Across Borders, an initiative that brought together individuals from historically conflicting backgrounds (e.g., Palestinians and Israelis, Greeks and Turks) to engage in Aikido and dialogue, demonstrating that different approaches are possible.* Opening 11 dojos in Ethiopia, Africa, where young students learning Aikido have experienced significant positive life changes, including higher graduation rates, college attendance, and an overall reduction in negative societal issues, through combining the art with a way of living.Strozzi-Heckler sensei asserts that O Sensei’s declaration of Aikido as both a competent martial art and a spiritual practice is one of the 20th century's most revolutionary statements. This dual nature allows for a warrior's ethic and presence to exist alongside compassion and positive engagement with the world.His experiential insights encourage us to embrace Aikido as a comprehensive path for self-refinement and global harmony. His work demonstrates that embodying Aikido principles is the most powerful way to promote the art, inspiring others through genuine presence and transformation. His ongoing efforts include working on a novel about transforming violence, reflecting his continuous dedication to societal betterment.This conversation reinforces the boundless potential of Aikido to impact personal lives and the broader world. For anyone seeking to understand how Aikido can serve such a lofty goal as improving society, Richard Strozzi-Heckler's books (a link) and his life's work are a powerful testament.Enjoy! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

This episode of Ki to the City features Shawn Ellingson Sensei, head instructor at Aikido Mountain West in Salt Lake City, Utah. (dojo link)Shawn was highly recommended to me by Kayla Feder Sensei and I’m so glad I followed up on her suggestion!After I rambled a bit about an article I read reporting a proposed NUCLEAR REACTOR ON THE MOON!!! (Yes it’s a real article, I’m still in shock about this. What a horrifying idea!) our conversation went on to explore some pretty deep insights into the multitudinous applications of Aikido, on and off the mat.Shawn’s been practicing Aikido for almost 30 years. He’s integrated his practice with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the past 16, viewing both arts as complementary for a whole, honest, and true approach.His dojo’s designed to be a good home where everyone is welcome and every voice can participate and be heard. A space to foster friendships and a sense of belonging. They honor all affiliations and styles of other Aikido dojos, welcoming practitioners from many different backgrounds.Join us as we discuss some ways in which the Aikido community could perhaps be more honest with itself while staying true to its purpose, acknowledging both its gentler aspects and its martial roots.Enjoy! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

It's been a puzzling past few weeks.Trying to figure out how to verbally and phonetically represent this most recent passage of time has presented quite a perplexing challenge.I feel like almost a totally different person since becoming raw vegan again. This new regimen has seemingly positively shifted my already pendulous, pivot-prone perspective.I promise I'm not trying to persuade anyone to follow me on this path: that's not my nature, that's not my style. Eat what you want. I'm hardly a life coach.No hyperbole here - I feel 8 times better. Not quite 10 times better, but almost.Physically, the benefits are clear: my joints are surely looser and less inflamed.While my skin is still a work in progress, I vow to stay patient on that front.I’m less lethargic, less languid. My motor's humming along.I'm still confused about my place in “the world,” but, I mean, I can’t expect miracles. Not yet, at least.Speaking of miracles, I’ve been diligently practicing the breathing exercises prescribed to me by Koichi Barrish Sensei in preparation for learning Chinkon Kishin. Really excited about that. Much more to come. Stay Tuned…Rev. Barrish is such an amazing, inspiring teacher, and I implore anyone listening to / reading this to visit his website to learn more about the incredible work he’s doing.I’ve also been engaging in some of the meditation practices that are detailed in Don Dickie Sensei’s book, “Right or Left? At Heaven’s floating bridge.”If you remember, from my previous discussion with Dickie Sensei, he’s intensively studied both kinesiology and cognitive neuroscience. So, I unequivocally trust his understanding of the “mind-body” connection, and he’s the first person to ever convince me to actually start meditating.The energy at Bond Street dojo has been really good overall lately.Despite otherwise sparse attendance (blame it on the heatwave), enough people showed up to my class last Wednesday to allow me to guide the curriculum towards culminating in Jiyu-waza (freestyle).Aikido practice, for me, still involves the execution of orthodox physical techniques. I like to build up from footwork, framework, and elements. Then by exploring various ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ options, ultimately blend ‘attack’ and ‘defend’ into one harmonious action.I see freestyle as a sort of Aporia, akin to how, in the Platonic dialogues, Socrates would lead his interlocutors to a state of confusion—a transcending of dialectical comprehension: a state of acknowledging what you don’t know, a shedding of both personal and paradigmatic baggage.In this way, I can’t help but view Aikido as a therapeutic dialectical exercise, with the added benefit of also strengthening the bond between body and soul. As a self-avowed “almost Platonist,” I consider the body and soul as disparate but connected - like heaven and earth by the floating bridge.I know we don’t have time today to get too deep into anything “paranormal”, but let me just say, for now, as you may have noticed, I still believe in ‘the soul’.My personal cosmology, which might disqualify me from orthodox Platonism, posits the soul prior to the intellect, ontologically, as a unified faculty of both emotion and intelligence. The soul, when functioning correctly, perceives whole impressions that aren't neatly divisible into ‘thoughts’ or ‘feelings’.I shouldn't be saying "functioning correctly," as I don't believe the soul is ever at fault for dysfunction. Corruption (here’s why I’m almost a Platonist) starts with the body - within material existence.I’m not saying that the body is “evil” - I just mean that corruption has its origin in material being.All spirit is good.Materiality is inherently imperfect, so there's bound to be all kinds of problems - manifesting in millions of ways. Circumnavigating these problems requires intelligence and compassion and in some cases dignity, honor… which is why I practice Aikido.Why did I veer off into a vague description of my own muddled metaphysics? Was it the mention of Plato? I actually haven't given much thought to cosmology lately. I've been preoccupied with recipes.If I'm being honest, now that I'm back eating raw, I feel like my soul is more properly in my body - like the connection isn’t so severely severed - so I'm not as engaged in pondering metaphysical quandaries as usual. This doesn't eliminate the fear of death (or worse, destitution) but it makes me feel more capable of facing whatever might come.Really, ultimately, I just want to live as harmoniously as possible - practice Aikido, eat healthy, avoid excessive political entanglement, and pray for peace.That’s all. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Last solo episode, I attempted to elucidate the ways in which my strict diet informs my Aikido practice (and mood).I also tried to clarify how the catalyst for my current quasi-monk-like state is not a quirk of my inner character, but an unfortunate superficial affliction fostered by intense distrust of the pharmaceutical industrial complex.I realize that episode was quite personal, and I apologize if anyone got put off by its confidential nature. I know this is supposed to be an Aikido podcast, but after recently reading so many genuine, inspiring, confessional Aikidoka anecdotes - I was stirred to write my own.As unorthodox as mine may be, I’ve taken this plunge to write from my own experience - and as Jack Kerouac said, “I wanna be sincere.”After ruminating further about my ever-frustrating “skin issues” and the various routines they’ve inspired, I got taken back to the last time they completely vanished: when I was a raw-vegan Uchi Deshi at New York Aikikai.It was 2008. I was 32, somehow able to withstand the rigors of five hours per day of vigorous practice with clear skin - waking up at 6 o'clock in the morning, uncaffeinated - which is something I’ve never been able to do at any other time in my life.Not only was I able to “withstand the rigors,” I felt better than ever — vividly alive — like cosmic forces were pulsing through me. I mean, I know they are, or at least I’ve been told that cosmic forces are constantly pulsing through me, but this was a time (no stimulants) when I actually felt them.Don’t worry, I'm not gonna tell you my whole life story again. Please permit me just a few minutes to describe how I became “raw” in the first place. I promise, I’ll be brief…In my late 20s, I found myself living in Portland, Oregon working as a cook at a teahouse known for importing high quality tea from around the world.A quaint, bougie little nook, they had a tiny kitchen serving up small plates (mostly Indian - the owner was Sikh) to complement the fine tea they served.I was doing pretty good, not bad, alright. I’d just gone through a divorce relatively unscathed. Had my own little studio apartment, two cats, a vaporizer - rode my bike to work, belonged to a great dojo with a full schedule of practice. (Kanai Sensei style - pretty much my favorite. I like to fly.)Life was buzzing along mostly harmoniously - but because I was working at a tea house, it was impossible for me to not drink tea. There was just too much temptation. The constant caffeination caused major skin issues.Somehow, I chanced upon an article in a magazine talkin’ about how human beings’ vision evolutionarily adapted to perceiving vivid colors because we were arboreal frugivores in our early days - and being able to see fruit in the trees was a quality that helped us survive.I'm not saying I believed that article a hundred percent (I got major problems with Darwinism, you know, due to the whole “industrial eugenics” aspect), but it got me thinking: why not try eating like an ape for a while? See if that helps.Like I said, I was living in Portland. Virtually surrounded by health food stores, I discovered a library at 'The Peoples' Co-op' flush with raw vegan literature. Devouring these books and implementing their culinary instructions became my nightly ‘after Aikido’ ritual.(Briefly, the raw diet posits that cooking food above 115 degrees, or thereabout,, destroys vital enzymes. While Wikipedia would call this 'pseudo-scientific,' I can personally attest I've never felt better than when I strictly adhered to it.)So there I was, working as a cook in a tea house when I decided to stop eating cooked food, cold turkey (no pun intended). Needless to say, I was putting myself in quite a precarious situation.But I stuck to it steadfastly, except I kept drinking tea - which was a bad combination. I became super ultra manic and burnt out quick - lost my job at the teahouse, got hired at a bamboo furniture store that paid just barely enough to where I could make my rent and feed myself and my cats. But because I was no longer tempted by tea, my skin cleared up. And I felt great.Despite the financial hardship, my appetite and aptitude for Aikido increased. Suddenly I felt like I was able to do anything I wanted to with my body. Like I said, I was training at a Kanai Sensei style dojo. If you’re familiar, you know that means I was flying through the air, taking breakfalls from almost every throw. And I loved it.I felt like, for the first time, I was viscerally experiencing the much-bandied-about “mind-body connection.” It was extraordinary. I could perceive no lapse of time between thought and action.I stuck to this diet for four years. While I was doing it, I felt such a hum of euphoria, I swore that I’d never stop, that I’d eat this way for the rest of my life.One of the drawbacks, though, was that it made me too manic. Especially when succumbing to an espresso, or two. I burned through situations rapidly because I felt too good. I didn’t want to be “weighed down” by anything. I often felt like a caged animal. I couldn’t quite contain the ki I was conjuring.(Incidentally, this period was the only time in my life I was able to climb trees. All of a sudden, I just naturally knew how.)Upon moving back to New York (and ultimately into a world famous dojo), I discovered a somewhat surprisingly thriving raw vegan scene - so, most importantly, during my stint as Uchi Deshi, I was able to maintain this diet for a few more years - before the winters ultimately broke me.While I’m (probably) never going back to living at a dojo, I am gonna try eating “raw” again. At least for a while. See what happens.I'm not necessarily advocating raw veganism for everyone. I’ve taken it upon myself to write about myself so I have to write this ‘cause I can't just fabricate a fictional biography. Eating raw made me feel like I had superpowers - my skin cleared up entirely. I speak from experience, not prescription.Reflecting on my early “raw” days as a teahouse cook, I felt an unprecedented purity in my own body. As I served the very food I prepared, I harbored the unsettling feeling that I was, in a sense, poisoning the customers by feeding them cooked food. I had to get over that.This time, I hope I'm wise enough to simply recognize this as my own journey, and not try to preach it, even to those I love and wish well.I need to accept this gustatory path without compelling others to embrace it, despite my deep desire for their health and vibrancy.I have to remember that the only reason I'm doing this is because I feel like I have to, because of my “chronic skin condition.” I’d be eating Pizza too, trust me.Please don't feel bad for me (if you're still here) thinking that I must be eating really bland, boring food. I’ve honed my craft - there's a whole technique to it. (Message me if you’re curious.)Don’t worry, I'm not gonna turn this into a blog about my diet. It’s still about Aikido.Though I sometimes, childishly, feel cursed by my “condition,” I can view this curse as a blessing in the sense that it pushes me towards excelling in the physical realm.I’m still working on the rest. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ki to the City, I was blessed to have an absolutely extraordinary conversation with Dennis Kyriakos.I first met Dennis back in 2002, at the very beginning of my Aikido journey, and it’s due to a wondrous synchronicity that our paths have reconnected recently. But, I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, so please, listen to the episode for more details of that striking coincidence. A long-time Aikidoka, Dennis also conjures up wonder as a professional magician and our talk unearths some fascinating parallels between the two arts.Following urging by Nadeau Sensei that “It’s not about ‘doing tricks’ but about being the magician,” Dennis brings a unique perspective to the practice, embodying the essence of what it means to be a magician.As Dennis notes, any art, when truly followed, can open up one's awareness and allow for apparent miracles to occur. This heightened awareness facilitates a fundamental shift in mindset, moving from external technique to an internal state of being that allows for profound manifestations. This approach positions the practitioner as a "shapeshifter" or one with "secret knowledge" – archetypal qualities of the magician.This phenomenon isn't about brute force or mechanical precision; it's about cultivating effortless, beautiful, and even "glorious" movements. Much like the art of magic, where the technique remains invisible for the audience to experience true astonishment, high-level Aikido transcends visible mechanics, tapping into an unseen dimension of energy. This concept of an "invisible” element is crucial.The insights shared by Dennis challenge conventional understanding of martial arts. It’s about cultivating an inner sensibility that allows us to transcend the instinctual attack response and interpret challenges as “pressure” — as opportunities for growth and connection.If you've ever wondered about the unseen forces at play in your Aikido practice, this episode is for you. Dennis Kyriakos illuminates the magical essence of Aikido, revealing that true power lies not just in what you do, but in who you become. Tune in and discover how Aikido can truly be a path where apparent miracles are not just observed, but embodied.And check out these links for more info about Dennis’ goings on…Conjuringwonder.comLive Shows!Blog Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Honestly, it’s not easy to write exclusively about Aikido. I really don't know what to say sometimes.What can I possibly contribute to such an impressive corpus of inspirational literature?Especially after personally speaking with so many brilliant minds, and reading so much of the illuminating work written about this profound art… Really, what can I add?I'm clearly not a motivational speaker - not “successful” by any stretch of the imagination. Describing myself candidly: I’m a prime example of how certain intelligence agencies sociologically ravaged particular segments of the working class population with drugs and delusions of grandeur.I can't escape the spectre of my parents’ influence. Long before I started Aikido, I'd already solidified this aspect of my persona.As ridiculous as it sounds now - in my early 20s I was confidently on my way to becoming a self-destructive celebrity shaman.My father was an actor. He was never really "famous," but he was on TV pretty regularly—and he was in some big mafia movies. So, growing up, I just always assumed that I was going to be an actor, too.My parents never married each other - they were young and wild. I was raised in separate homes, a few blocks apart, mostly by grandparents. I wasn’t neglected, spent a lot of time with my father. He often brought me with him to his rehearsals and acting classes.We all lived in Brooklyn until I was 8 - when I moved to New Jersey with my mother to escape her immediate sphere of bad influence.My father ultimately made his way to Queens, not far from where I’m writing this now. I’d visit him one weekend every month, most of the summer, winter, and spring vacation. Even when he started a new family, he still always made time for me.When I was 14 my mother got diagnosed “HIV positive” (a diagnosis I dispute in retrospect) and we subsequently moved down to Florida.This was 1990.My grandparents had already moved down there - because that’s what most Italian grandparents do. When my mother got delivered her death sentence, she naturally wanted to be closer to them.Obviously, this cataclysm shifted my psychological perspective. Before the “diagnosis”, I was a quintessential class clown - voted as such in a landslide by my 8th grade class. My father was on TV. I was living a fat Jersey guinea boyhood dream.But then moving to Florida - living with the stigma of my mother’s so-called "infectious disease” - suddenly far from my father’s positive encouraging presence - I developed more of a dark, lonely, brooding poetic side to my personality. For instance, I listened to The Doors - a lot.After my mother died: Now I’m 19 - I start going to open mics and poetry readings and soon I start a band myself. Singing in a band - it was a bit of a suicide mission. I was aiming to die at 27 - like Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison. I wanted that notoriety.And I was on my way there.My parents were junkies when I was a young child, and I witnessed my mom almost OD when I was 6 - so I never really could bring myself to do “hard drugs” but I was drinking and I liked pain killers and psychedelics… I wasn't acutely self-destructive - but I was self-destructive.I felt like I had to famously destroy myself to achieve a satisfactory result from the tumult and sorrow of my young life. I needed to destroy myself and present it as an offering to the public somehow. Nothing else made sense as a conduit for the pain I felt inside. That's pretty shamanic, in a way, right?A few years in, after reading Henry Miller (don’t ask) - I had an identity crisis in which I quit my band in Florida, moved back to NY, tried writing a novel, went back to acting, and eventually found myself married, living in Chelsea, working as a waiter near Union Square.One day - on the way to work - I found an world famous Aikido dojo and popped in…When I discovered Aikido - it gave me a reason to take better care of myself physically because I wanted to become “good at it”.But I can't attribute my salvation from a destiny of glamorized doom to Aikido alone. In fact, if I'm being vividly honest, what’s saving me from ultimately destroying myself to this day, ironically, is my own vanity.I'm prone to a “chronic disease” that affects my skin.I don’t wanna say its name because I'm superstitious like that. I feel like the more I dwell upon it - the more pervasive it becomes in my life. (And, for the record, I don’t accept the pharmaceutical cartel’s nomenclature.)I can say, right now, knocking on my wood table, that it's not that bad—i.e., I’m not currently using steroid cream—but I'm always living in fear that it’ll get worse and I'll be doomed to a life of physical misery.Sorry for being dramatic, but that's how I am.Due to this affliction, I can’t consume any stimulants. This includes coffee, tea, alcohol, sugar, yerba mate, tobacco, etc.Luckily, I’ve discovered raw cacao along the way - which seems to not affect me as much, but still enough to where I have to constantly remind myself not to overindulge.I don't eat fried food. I don't eat bread, cake, pizza, pasta, meat, wheat, ice cream, Etc… anything that triggers my “skin issues”.It’s this affliction, and not any inherent quality of my personality, that’s led me to becoming almost monk-like in my frugality and simplicity.I never go to restaurants or bars. I make all my own food. Home before 9 o'clock - right after Aikido - I head straight home - eat my salad and my flax crackers, drink my chamomile tea, and go to bed.This is not my personality.I was originally destined to be a chubby comedian with addiction issues, but, like I said - my mom got that diagnosis I dispute in retrospect - and after she died - I sought tragic fame. I thought that's who I was - how I was gonna die. I never envisioned having a successful “career” that I’d be able to “retire from”. I always thought I’d just burn out like a comet.Then when I was around 25 I got a few dry itchy patches on certain inconvenient spots on my body. Not many - but enough to notice - and even though I swore I’d never go to a doctor on account of what happened to my mother…My grandmother (my father’s mother, one of the rare Italian grandmothers that never moved to Florida) worked at a hospital…She must’ve thought, like, maybe I’d gotten an STD or something because of the way I confided to her in secret - like - “Grandma, I have an itch and I don't know what it is”She sent me to her boss, he sent me to a dermatologist, and they told me it was“psoriasis”.They showed me a big book with all these pictures of people with scaly patches from head to toe and I flipped out - like - “is that gonna happen to me?”“Well not necessarily - but you should quit drinking - you should quit smoking”They gave me some steroid cream which made it go away - so of course, I started drinking, smoking and whatever else again. Eventually it came back.Since then - for the past quarter of a century - because I don’t want the “side effects of their treatments” - I've struggled constantly with figuring out what I can eat and drink without causing a “flare up”I think most people underestimate how much influence stimulants have on their productivity. If I was able to simply drink coffee or tea, I’d be at least 35 times more “successful” than I am.It's really hard for me to engage in tedious tasks without some stimulation as a reward. Back in the day, as long as I had iced coffee - I could put my mind to almost anything.My chocolate takes some time to kick in - so - even though I eat it as soon as I wake up in the morning, it takes about three hours before my brain is functioning at even a fraction of that frenetic level at which the majority of society functions - that neurotic pulsing. I just can't fully attain mania anymore, because I can't consume stimulants.You might be wondering how I plan to tie this back to Aikido.Well, it's funny because Aikido is the one thing that my affliction has made me better at. (Besides the social aspects of not being comfortable travelling to seminars because I’d have to bring all my own food, and not being able to “grab a drink” after class..) Because I eat so healthy - because I can't overstimulate myself - my practice is calm and grounded and I'm able to move in ways that I would definitely not be able to if I continued to drink and smoke and eat all the typical junk food s**t that most people eat.(I think my mind is pretty healthy too, but a healthy mind does not necessarily make for a successful person. Sometimes a healthy mind thwarts productivity.I mean, like, I’m sane enough to know that I should probably be living in a permaculture community or something like that. But I have an emotional attachment to New York, and there’s still a part of me that wants to “make it here” as like a pledge to my ancestry or something.)But I always feel better at the dojo. My most recent class had six people. That's the most it's been in weeks. I was pretty elated. Took breakfalls for the first time in a while. I mean breakfalls from everything - not just koshi nage. I always take breakfalls from koshi nage, obviously, because you have to - but when I'm feeling especially genki I can take breakfalls from anything - from anywhere. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Laurin Herr and Bob Noha, two of the esteemed co-authors behind the captivating book, Aikido: The Art of Transformation: The Life and Teachings of Robert Nadeau Sensei (click link for more info)Robert Nadeau Shihan, is an extraordinary teacher (I wish I would’ve have discovered years ago) whose work extends far beyond the mat into the very arena of human potential and universal harmony.This book is a fascinating tribute to a remarkable, passionate, and most influential teacher of Aikido.As Laurin Herr explains in our talk, the project began as a Roku, a Zen tradition of collecting stories about an elderly teacher, which resulted in over eighty heartfelt personal recollections from Nadeau's students.These stories, coupled with a chronological history and a synthesis of Nadeau Sensei's core lessons, offer an inspiring resource that the authors hope (as do I) will reverberate long into the future.Nadeau Sensei’s journey began as a teenager, driven by questions about the nature of the Universe and the meaning of life. His early explorations into judo, yoga, meditation, and bodybuilding laid a unique, and beneficially synchronistic foundation for his pivotal encounter with O’Sensei in Tokyo in the early 1960s.Nadeau Sensei’s time with O’Sensei was "life changing," opening him to "deeper knowledge through direct experience of the energy, design, and functioning of the Universe".As Bob Noha highlights in our conversation, Nadeau's background, unlike many who sought martial prowess, prepared him to recognize and absorb O’Sensei's emphasis on the true purpose of Aikido being personal transformation.This concept of transformation is central to Nadeau Sensei’s unique teaching style. He doesn't just teach techniques; he asks students, "Don’t ask me how I did this. Ask me who I have to be where this is possible". This inside-out approach to Aikido emphasizes direct energetic engagement and full experience.To make O’Sensei's esoteric energy practices and arcane language accessible to Western students, Nadeau adaptively rephrases concepts, using terms like "vitality," and "juice," instead of Japanese terms such as Ki. This reframing, enriched by Western psychology and the Human Potential Movement (where Nadeau was a headliner at Esalen institute), has made his teachings widely influential.Nadeau's cosmology, echoing O’Sensei’s, defines “Dimensionality” through three coexisting realms: the Manifest (physical reality), the Hidden (subtler, influential energies), and the Divine (primordial source). He teaches that anyone can access these finer dimensions through practice. Key to this is "Easy the I," a practice of releasing the overthinking mind ("I" as ego) to access deeper feeling and sensing, allowing for spontaneous, intuitive responses without conscious control.Perhaps one of Nadeau's most powerful insights addresses the perception of negativity: "Don’t buy this ‘dark forces’ thing. All energies at their source are pure. Don’t be afraid of your own power". This is Nadeau's "monster theory," which posits that seemingly "dark" or "monstrous" energies are merely intense forces that, when processed and embraced, can become powerful allies.Even at 88 years old, Robert Nadeau Shihan continues to inspire, actively teaching weekly classes in Mountain View and San Francisco, as well as online Zoom sessions that attract a worldwide audienceHe is a teacher of teachers, with many senior students carrying on his direct transmission of O’Sensei's essential teachings. (Click links below for information on the dojo.)Dojo WebsiteDojo Facebook PagePlease don't miss this opportunity to gain deeper insights into the life and teachings of this remarkable teacher. Listen to the full interview and pick up your copy of "Aikido: The Art of Transformation" to enhance your own study of the "Aikido that cannot be seen with the human eye". Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I have some exciting news to announce. An extraordinary development occurred in my strange little story… Rev. Koichi Barrish has agreed to teach me Chinkon.Chinkon, meaning "pacifying the soul" or "calming the spirit," is an ancient Shinto practice aimed at gathering scattered aspects of one's spiritual essence back within the center of the body.This mysterious process offers a way to achieve a state of inner stillness, to strengthen the soul, and to restore innate purity, aligning with Shinto's emphasis on spiritual cultivation and connection to the divineIt goes without saying, (but I’m trying to be a writer, so I have to ) that this could be a profound personal pivot point - digging a direct channel to the esoteric wellspring I believe shaped the very art of Aikido. The immense significance of this opportunity is something I’m still trying to fully process.As you might’ve have noticed - my virtual obsession with Chinkon began shortly after the inception of this project, fueled in part by a transformative passage from A Life in Aikido, by Kissomaru Ueshiba. That brief chapter, recounting O Sensei’s three-day immersion in Chinkon Kishin with Onisaburo Deguchi in Ayabe, ignited my relentless study.What I think I’ve learned so far is that O Sensei saw Chinkon as essential for developing wisdom. His focus ultimately shifted from passive kamigakari (spirit possession) towards actively embodying divine power and achieving unification with universal principles. He aimed to become one with kami and the movement of nature.My admittedly syncretic classification of Chinkon (and Aikido itself for that matter) as a form of theurgy emerged immediately from this autodidactic submersion, reflecting my intuitive understanding of its profound nature.And now I have the chance to learn how to do it myself!Learning from Barrish Sensei is particularly invaluable because it comes with the assurance of proper lineage protection. He stressed the inherent dangers of the practice, a caution that resonates with my own research into Omoto’s mediated spirit possession, which they ultimately ceased due to safety concerns.Learning from Rev. Barrish, therefore, offers me access to this powerful practice in a way that respects its traditional transmission and, crucially, mitigates the risks associated with an incomplete understanding. This direct instruction will provide an embodied experience of one of the very practices that shaped O-Sensei's creation of Aikido.This isn't about gaining new information - it’s about striving towards an authentic, direct route to experiencing this profound art’s origins first hand.Barrish Sensei has been teaching Chinkon since the 1980s - and he emphasized to me that its primary purpose is to revitalize the senses and gather the dispersed aspects of the spirit, consolidating them within the body's center (aka the tanden or hara.)The ultimate goal, as he describes it, is to sync one’s vibratory essence to the Kami's vibratory essence - returning to the source, activating life power, and living naturally. Importantly, it's about raising to meet the divine, rather than trying to pull the divine down to you. (sounds like theurgy to me)As per his instructions - for the past week now, I've been diligently working on ibuki-nagayo, or ibuki-ho (long life breathing). Ibuki-ho involves prolonged inhalation and exhalation. Deep breaths. Aiming to become a living channel for cosmic energy.If there truly is a method for tuning my mind and body into better alignment with the cosmic gods, the universe, or whatever other name a mortal like me can give to the ineffable, mysterious, greater being, I’d be a fool to pass up the opportunity.No matter how difficult it seems right now to make room for breathing exercises among mundane activities like survival / making a living, I’m incredibly excited to embark on this next phase of learning.To learn more about the important, amazing work Rev. Koichi Barrish is doing please check out the links below:WebsiteFacebook Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

As “Ki to the City” approaches the six month mark, I've been reflecting, sifting through insights gleaned from conversing with the luminaries I've had the pleasure of engaging with. Personally, it's been a profoundly positive and metaphysically enriching experience for me, so far. And I sincerely hope to continue for as long as humanly possible.I've absorbed more about the intricate history and mystico-philosophical heritage of Aikido in these past six months then the previous 23 years of my training. I even found someone to teach me Chinkon Kishin. (More about that in the near future, I hope.)But I can't quite ignore this subtle tinge of jealousy I feel - how strongly I wish I was born a generation earlier. Hearing all the stories of Aikido back in the golden era just reminds me how much cooler it must’ve been to come of age in the 70s. It’s the same vicarious wistfulness I used to feel when I was playing in a band in the late 90s while reading biographies of Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix..It's a bit disheartening - to be honest. At my dojo, on the walls, there are pictures aplenty from old seminars - decades past - and in all of them - there’s dozens and dozens of people.What, truly, can I do to get my dojo back to that level of prosperity? Of course, I mean without diluting the practice itself?I consider myself a fourth generation Aikidoka. O Sensei basically lived on the same timeline as my great grandfather - in essence, he could be my great grandfather. That’s what makes me fourth generation. I'm also more or less the same age as Waka Sensei. A few years older, but you get the point.So, what’s the bestowed mission of a fourth generation Aikidoka? Especially one such as myself training at a dojo currently facing major difficulties attracting new members?I harbored the perhaps delusional hope that this podcast, this Substack, would send ripples through the ether and somehow initiate a changing current. But, so far, while on a personal level it's certainly enriched my understanding of the history and metaphysics of the art form, and has introduced me to some amazing people, it really hasn't served the original purpose of helping my dojo - the dojo I actually train at - the sacred place I go to five days a week to engage in the practice itself.Looks like I have some further contemplation to undertake. I have to make some new plans. Even though my plans never work out, I still have to make some, right?I'm not saying this to be negative, it’s just an observation, and I’m writing about myself so I have to be honest, but my plans never work out. Never.It’s ok - I've pretty much learned to navigate this almost anti-psychic quality I possess, this inability to ever accurately predict the future based on my own ideas, calculations, or motivations. For what it’s worth - usually - something better than I could’ve ever imagined happens instead of what I was actually expecting.But right now - I legitimately don’t know what to do.I’d love to just spout some flowery language describing how ‘everything's gonna be OK’ - I’d love to say I have resolute faith in the kami, and believe that they will assuredly intervene - absolutely - and Aikido will survive another generation…Of course, I recognize that it's more than a bit pompous, presumptuous, and perhaps narcissistic to imagine that Aikido's survival is in jeopardy, or, at all, in my hands. I had the fortune of visiting Hombu dojo last fall, and it was crowded. There were still tons of people training. It doesn't look like Hombu is in danger of going out of business any time soon.But the dojo I belong to… well I think it’s a remarkable place and deserves to survive.So how can I help? Truly help?I've been living out the narrative arc of an obscure literary character for most of my adult life. I’ve barely existed within the mercantile framework that most people exist in (seemingly with silent, unobtrusive qualms).I'm out here on the perimeter. Kind of a bum - mostly a benevolent mystical bum. Never like a hard drug alcoholic ruining other people's lives type of bum.I was always just someone who had a violent traumatic early life and was trying to find peace. So I didn't wanna get entangled in too much complicated, capitalistic, karmic accretion s**t. I didn't wanna be involved in “the system”. I didn't wanna contribute my energy to the military industrial complex - and all its branches. I was heavily recruited by the Air Force in high school but I didn't wanna bomb nobody. I guess I resigned from my post long ago.Since that early resignation - figuring out how to keep myself afloat financially has always been a problem. Now I find myself a board member of a dojo having that same problem and I’m looking for practical solutions.It could just be something as simple as handing out flyers in the neighborhood. Maybe I just need to start going like an hour early to do some hands on promotion.But there's only so much time in the day… Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe