Alive Ukemi/Dead Ukemi

I once asked Sugano Sensei what correct ukemi was. “There is alive and there is dead” he replied. When I asked him what…

Earning a Black Belt: What does it really mean?

What does it mean to be a black belt? I am not one, yet, so I don’t know if I can answer this question truly. I do ask myself frequently, however. To people who don’t train in martial arts, having a black belt seems to mean that you are an expert…

Day 25 Sugano Sensei Remembrance: In order to have one thing we must most times give up something.

Why Sugano Sensei was Special

On August 29th, 2010 Sensei Seiichi Sugano passed into another existence. Though I was Yoshimitsu Yamada’s…

Day 8. Sugano Sensei on Ukemi

(Originally published at Alive Ukemi/Dead Ukemi)

Day 5 Sugano Sensei Remembrance: “Aikido is not a martial art.”

Day 18 Sugano Sensei Remembrance:“If you wanted to follow the master, you just copied as much as you could.”

Day 19 Sugano Sensei Remembrance:” “ You get more different knowledge, and your understanding of Aikido evolves. But…

Day 28. Sensei’s Death: Hospital

Even after the emotion of the meeting and my committing to stay longer, I was unsure of how much I…

Day 7 Sugano Sensei Remembrance: “You must make Aikido for yourself.”