First Annual Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar East

By Daniel Small, Aikido Schools of New Jersey

I recently had the opportunity to attend the First Annual Aikido Bridge Friendship Seminar East hosted at the picturesque Aikido Seishinkan Dojo in Fort Washington, PA (just outside of Philadelphia). The dojo is a warm, welcoming place set along a wooded area with a river running through the back of the property. One could not help but feel a sense of peace as you enter. The location was quite fitting as the Bridge Friendship seminar was a unique and precious opportunity to practice in the true spirit of harmony. The event was headlined by Rick Stickles Shihan, 7th Dan-Aikido Schools of NJ-USAF, and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, 7th Dan-Boulder Aikikai-ASU. For me, it was the first time that I was able to experience the perspective of two renowned teachers from different Aikido federations.

The seminar was structured in two hour blocks three times a day with Stickles Shihan and Ikeda Shihan teaching classes back to back twice a day. During the mid-afternoon classes we practiced with guest instructors from both the USAF and ASU. From the USAF, we were joined by Laura Jacobs-Pavlick Sensei from Litchfield, Ct. From the ASU there was our gracious host and dojo cho David Goldberg Sensei, Ayhan Kaya Sensei from Istanbul, Turkey, and Don Moock Sensei from Washington, DC. Each one of these instructors complimented our training with their own styles, and shared many wonderful insights. As a matter of fact, these teachers also participated in the classes throughout the day and we were able to enjoy valuable one on one time with them on the mat.

Ikeda sensei and Stickles sensei styles and approaches to Aikido complimented each other and I found myself making solid connections to both teachers. Ikeda sensei shared his perspective on unbalancing your opponent by subtle changes in oneself, drawing energy from the center and directing the flow to a strategic point on your opponent's body. For Ikeda sensei, this meant the technique began just prior to the point of contact. He stressed that our practice should include attention to our internal ki, training myself until my natural response was an outflow of such internal ki as a destabilizing force.

Stickles sensei shared his perspective on awareness as a vital part of my training. It is through awareness that the technique will flow. As you are attacked, awareness of your opponentÑhis action, motion and point of attack allow you to respond and take a superior position that presents you with options to respond. Stickles sensei shared with us that there is no one set technique as a set response to an attack, and that we always need to leave ourselves options. Stickles sensei also highlighted the connection to Aikido's roots of jujitsu and empty handed sword technique. He stresses that we need to emulate our predecessors with a strong bokken and meditation practice to heighten our awareness and relax even in the most stressful situations.

Ikeda sensei and Stickles sensei, two stalwarts of the Aikido community, brought their full 70 plus years of experience to the mat this weekend. We shared exhilarating hours together that encompassed important aspects to nourish the growth of my practice. I came to appreciate that although these two men represented two separate and distinct federations, they were united by their passion for Aikido, and even more significantly, their passion for teaching. This link fostered an appreciation and respect that was evident to us all. Because of this seminar, I truly believe I may have seen my firm true glimmer of Aikido's full circle of understanding. I have a long way to go, and maybe in thirty years, I can say I get it, but until then practice, practice, meditate, and practice!

In the end, I feel my practiced has been enhanced. I also made new friends that shared my passion for Aikido. Overall, I learned that we had a tremendous amount in common, and through our practice we keep O'Sensei's spirit alive. I am already looking forward to next years' seminar. I hope you will join me!!/