Small reflection of the movie "Ballerina", offshoot film of the John Wick series, featuring Ana de Armas, and it's relationship to training in the martial arts.

Excerpt from the book, "Ultimate Aikido" by Yoshimitsu Yamada

Excerpt from "Training the Samurai Mind: A Bushido Sourcebook", Translated and Edited by Thomas Cleary

Excerpt from the book, "Training the Samurai Mind", translated and edited by Thomas Cleary.

Excerpt from the book, "Budo: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido", by Morihei Ueshiba

Excerpt from the book, "The Principles of Aikido", by Mitsugi Saotome. Reading on Aikido as the way in creating a just world of love.

Basic tips for self defense, for non practitioners and/or people interested in what to do.

Excerpt from the book, "The Principles of Aikido", by Mitsugi Saotome

Excerpt from the book, "The Principles of Aikido", by Mitsugi Saotome, from the chapter The Meaning of Study.

Excerpt from the book, "Legacies of the Sword", by Karl F. Friday with Seki Humitake.

Excerpt from "The Zen Way to the Marial Arts" by Taisen Deshimaru. Small history on Zazen and "the way"

Excerpt from the book, "The Zen Way to the Martial Arts", by Taisen Deshimaru. More on how the Spirit decides the outcome of events after training well in the arts.

(Reference for Zazen practice: the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care)

Excerpt on the power of being present, from the book, "The Zen Way to the Martial Arts", by Taisen Deshimaru

Excerpt from the book, "The Zen Way to the Martial Arts", by Taisen Deshimaru.

Commentary on experiences with reviewing the basics on working with the Bokken and Tanto in the classroom of Aikido.

Excerpt from, "Secrets of the Samurai", by Ratti and Westbrook. More on bujutsu in feudal Japan.

Did you know that monks once used the bokken (the wooden sword) primarily as an instrument of pure defense?

Here is today's episode from "Secrets of The Samurai" by Ratti and Westbrook.

Excerpt from, "Secrets of the Samurai", by Oscar Ratti/Adele Westbrook.

Excerpt from the book, "Secrets of the Samurai", by Oscar Ratti/Adele Westbrook.

Excerpt from the book, "Principles of Aikido", by Mitsugi Saotome. The history of Knee Walking or Shikko.