We are publishing this article with the kind permission of Susan Perry, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief of Aikido Today Magazine. Aiki-wiki and Aikido Today Magazine are now collaborating to preserve and digitise old articles.
Susan Perry Sensei’s personal website: https://susanperry.info/
All issues of Aikido Today Magazine can be purchased here: https://budovideos.com/products/aikido-today-magazine-e-book
WHAT IS AIKIDO TODAY?
Editorial by Susan Perry — Aikido Today, April 1987, Vol. 1, No. 1
Often, in years gone by, I would find out about interesting Aikido seminars after they had happened. There was no systematic way to find out what was going on in my area beforehand. So, with the help of many friends, I started this newsletter.
Aikido Today seems the natural name for it, since its aim is to tell people about current events. Aikido’s history, though important and interesting, is excellently covered in Stan Pranin’s Aiki News Magazine. (See the interview with Stan in this issue.)
For our logo, we chose the AI character, to symbolize the non-partisan nature of the newsletter. Our hope is that we can communicate with all Aikido dojos in the western US, regardless of style or affiliation, so that we can all learn from one another.
To those familiar with the divisions in the Aikido community, this may seem impossible. But notice that, for our very first issue, we have 14 events to announce! This shows just how much is going on in our part of the country. And the fact that the information has been sent to us shows that communication is not impossible. For, without a lot of friendly cooperation, it wouldn’t be possible for a brand new publication to collect as much information as we have.
The newsletter’s continued existence depends on cooperation of this sort. We need you to tell us what you want to see in Aikido Today, to write book-reviews and articles, and (most important) to tell us about what is going on in your dojo. For our next issue, Dan Furuya has contributed an article on Aikido and Zen and Gene Lamb has written a piece on the concept of chudo.
Aikido Today is a labor of love, supported by a business (Areté Press) which expects no profit and produced by a staff who give their time freely. The motive of bringing Aikidoists together to exchange ideas and improve their training is a strong one. As is shown by the fact that you are now reading this, this motive has been strong enough to produce this first issue of Aikido Today. Here’s hoping there will be many more.
You can find this entire article and much more in Aikido Today Magazine.
Aikido Today Magazine
Aikido Today Magazine was a forum where Aikido students and teachers wrote in their thoughts. Many were the controversies about the nature of Aikido and how it should be practiced. Many articles from the beginner point of view as well as articles and interviews with seasoned teachers. ATM enjoyed correspondents from all over the world. Don’t miss out on this great material.
You can find this entire article and much more at: https://budovideos.com/products/aikido-today-magazine-e-book
More from the author of Aikido Today Magazine
Illuminating the inner philosophical and practical aspects of Aikido, forty-seven-year Aikido practitioner and 6th-degree blackbelt Susan Perry, Ph.D., uses personal stories of joy, achievement, and hardship to demonstrate real-life applications of the transformational principles of Aikido. She introduces what Aikido is and where it comes from, providing a brief biography of its founder, Morihei Ueshiba. She explains in detail how Aikido helped her resolve difficulties at work, as a student, and as a teacher/sensei. Through each story shared, the author offers a glimpse of the beginner’s mind in action, the key to changing even the violent energy of an attack into peaceful interaction.
Presenting Aikido’s step-by-step protocol for developing the receptiveness of the beginner’s mind, a state essential to personal transformation, Perry explains how distraction and timing can be used to deescalate potentially violent or dangerous situations. She discusses the founder’s philosophy of conflict, showing how Aikido can help peacefully resolve difficulties that arise with pushy, intimidating, and unpredictable people, those who are stubborn or don’t listen, insincere people who want something from you, and chaotic situations. She explains how a deepening practice of the martial art leads to an aiki state of inner peace, fusion, and boundless joy.
Revealing how Aikido can help you face your fears and develop your heart and soul, this book shows how this martial art helps you embrace change, cultivate a strong center, and ultimately live a joyful life of engagement with the world.
You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Power-Aikido-Transcending-Cultivating/dp/1644118971
Budo Videos
Budo Videos is a very extensive online shop specialising in budo. It features a wealth of fantastic content, and you’ll find plenty of material from Susan Peryy, editor-in-chief of Aikido Today Magazine.
If you’re interested in Japanese budo, Budo Videos is one of the best shops specialising in this subject. There’s also plenty of material here for Aikido practitioners that you’d struggle to find elsewhere.
Link: https://budovideos.com/