Welcome to the Aiki-Aikido blog

This blog is about Aikido, the way with Aiki.

 

At first I 1 started this blog to get my thoughts about Aikido sorted and organized. Then I thought that maybe some of this might also be of interest to my students and maybe to other persons as well. 

 

"Aikido, the way with Aiki,
in which the principle of non-resistance
is seen as the core principle"

 

In this blog I will talk about Aikido, the way with Aiki, in which the principle of non-resistance is seen as the core principle, so much really, that I actually refere to it as Aiki. By following this principle while doing an Aikido technique, the technique then becomes an expression of Aiki. To be able to do so, body, mind, spirit and heart need to be in a state of Aiki as well. Otherwise it won't really be working. Therefore this Aiki can also be seen as a state of body, mind, spirit and heart.

This Aiki completely changed my way of thinking and looking at Aikido and I strongly believe this Aiki to take a part of great if not major importance in the Aikido of the founder.

 

"This Aiki completely changed
my way of thinking
and looking at Aikido"

 

Still, and in contrast to the blog's catchy title, in this blog you will not find objective explanations on Aiki or Aikido whatsoever. But you may want to read about what I have to say about this Aiki in particular and  about my thoughts on Aiki and Aikido as well as about my journey in Aikido. To underline my line of thoughts I am using the words of the founder of Aikido, O-Sensei 2 Morihei Ueshiba 3 and I'm also using the words of other experts on the subject as I think them to be relevant to the topic in question.

Before going on I want to declare, all faults and errors in everything presented in this blog are mine alone. This might be due to my lack of having a correct understanding about the subject in question or this might also be due to my inability to bring across in understandable words the things I talk about or that maybe some things probably can't really be explained well in words at all. So, I guess, misunderstandings are likely bound to happen. Anyway, it can't be helped.

So then, since I came to realize about this Aiki, Aikido to me, now is a truly wonderful training method to find out about this Aiki, to experience this Aiki and to express this Aiki in action, in life, on and off the mats. All of which aren't a simple things to do, but to me nevertheless, seems like worth the effort.

 

"Aikido to me, is a truly
wonderful training method
to find out about this Aiki"

 

Again, please note that this blog can and will only represent my personal views on the subject, based on my personal experience and understanding. I highly respect that others may have different views and also may have different goals in Aikido training. Aikido is, like everything else, what you make it to be. The Aikido of O-Sensei was what he made it to be. Nevertheless, I try to do my best (within the possibilities of my limited understanding) to follow the directions O-Sensei gave us in his explanations and showed us in his demonstrations.

Although most of the things look pretty consistent to me right now, there still are a lot of questions hopefully to be answered in time. And just as well as there are, here and there and everywhere, still faults and errors in my practice, most probably there may also most probably be still flaws in the logic of my thinking too. Anyone to point those out in respectful ways is highly welcome to do so.

My Aikido journey started in the early nineties without having the slightest idea where this would lead me to. But then again, it has brought me to where I stand right now. So to everyone who's curious and interested, I'm happy to share my experience and my thoughts.

 

Please enjoy!!
Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts.
Please always be respectful in your comments.

1  Igor Drieghe: Author of this Blog. Started Aikido in the early 90's. Currently holds a 5th Dan (Aikikai, Tokyo) in Aikido.
2  O-Sensei = jap.: great teacher 
3  Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969), founder of Aikido

Page first published on 05.09.2023
Page last updated on 04.11.2025

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Disclaimer: everything presented in this post only represents my personal opinions based on my personal  knowledge, understanding and experiences made regarding the matter in discussion except where quotes are made. Other opinions are highly respected as long as they can withstand the argumentation. Some of the points presented may be purely speculative on my side due to the lack of evidence known to me. Any evidence presented to help clarify the points in question is highly welcomed. The post may still undergo little changes, although the content will mainly remain the same.

Notes on Copyrights: Neither text or parts of the text may be used or published elsewhere without the consent of the author. It is OK though to quote with correct references made to this text.
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