The Aiki Dojo Podcast - The Importance of Correct Ukemi In Episode 49 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss ukemi and how its correct execution is imperative to the mastery of Aikido. Ukemi is not just falling down for someone. It is an intricate and detail oriented process of moving with the nage. Ukemi teaches us so much more than physical movement that it becomes a metaphor for how to live one’s life.  Enjoy! Watch here: https://youtu.be/nCBL5aDtxVk The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast i ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - What do you know now that you wished you knew back then? Watch the podcast here: https://youtu.be/0PIB_j2z-bo In this episode of the Aiki Dojo podcast, we reflect back on our Aikido training. What do we know now that we wished we knew back then? What do you think students should know before they start? What are some things that you wish you could change? The answer to these questions and many more are answered in this episode of the Aiki Dojo Podcast.  Enjoy! The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Aikido and Swordsmanship In this episode of the Aiki Dojo podcast, we welcome Ken Watanabe Sensei. Watanabe Sensei is a 6th degree black belt in Aikido and a 5th degree black belt in Muso Shinden-ryu Iaido. Together with Watanabe Sensei, we discuss what role swordsmanship plays in Aikido training.  Enjoy! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/gGgk42DH1jw The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aikido Center o ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Aikido and Spirituality In this episode of the Aiki Dojo podcast, we discuss Aikido and the role spirituality plays in its practice. Aikido is not a religion, a dojo is not a church and the teacher is not a guru. However, Aikido does have a heavy spiritual component. People often think that Aikido is more of a spiritual martial art because there is no competition. It is true that Aikido does not have competition but at its core it is still a martial art. If this is the case, then what role does spirituality play in the study and practice of Aikido? The Aiki Dojo Podcast ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Failure Teaches Success In Episode 48 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss how failure is the key to success. Success is great and it feels good to celebrated. However, in terms of self-development, failure is a way better tool.  Watch it here: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/GsL-CxdYmlo⁠⁠ Watch Kendo’s Most Grueling Challenge here: https://youtu.be/qlXZvtxBjlI Enjoy! The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aik ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Is Aikido an Art? In Episode 47 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss the concept of Aikido being a form of art. Find out what constitutes something being classified as an art and if Aikido is an art.  Enjoy! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/MXlwwN6tpBU The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles and he brings brings over 30 years of Aikido training to the podcast. The podcast is co ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - An Interview with Didier Boyet Shihan Part 1 In this episode of the Aiki Dojo podcast, Ito Sensei interviews Didier Boyet Shihan. Boyet Shihan is ranked Aikido 7th Dan and Iaido 6th Dan. Boyet Shihan started Aikido in 1971 and studied at Hombu Dojo from 1977-2016 and was a long time student of T.K. Chiba Sensei. In this over 51 years of experiences he brings an interesting perspective having been a westerner training at Hombu Dojo with some of the greatest Aikido masters of our time like Yamaguchi Sensei, Masuda Sensei, Arikawa Sensei, and Shibata Sensei to name just a ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Aikido in the 21st Century & Beyond In Episode 43 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss how Aikido is different today in the 21st century and what people have to differently. Enjoy! Watch to it here: https://youtu.be/1pWBgeUOnls The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles and he brings brings over 30 years of Aikido training to the podcast. The podcast is co-hosted by Ken Watanabe Sh ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Teaching: Yesterday vs. Today In this episode of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss teaching and learning in the past and in the present. Within this topic, Ito Sensei discusses if Aikido is relevant, what it was like studying under Furuya Sensei and how modern traditional training can be applied to martial artists of today.     Enjoy! Watch here: https://youtu.be/IGscHaQ-sUI The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Ins ..read more

The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Is Aikido Real Budo? In this episode of the Aiki Dojo podcast, we discusses the concept of Aikido and Budo. Many think people think that for something to be a true Budo art that it has to involve killing and with that definition Aikido does not qualify. Ito Sensei discusses what it means to be “Budo” and how Aikido is in fact Budo. Budo is not the “art of killing” but rather the art of true self-development. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/RL3EJnsbYSI The Aiki Dojo Podcast goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern worl ..read more