The Seventeen: Shomenate
Jim Ellison (from Spiritual Gravity blog) Ju Nana Hon Kata – also known as “The 17” is one of the first katas we learn in our aikido curriculum. This video series will demonstrate each of the moves in ‘The 17’, … Read More
Jim Ellison’s Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything)
Jim Ellison (Spiritual Gravity blog) I began practicing aikido in 1979, at the age of 33, and have been teaching it since the mid-1980s. Our dojo teaches a Tomiki style of aikido and is part of the Kaze Uta Budo … Read More
Shodan to Sensei: An Aikido Story
Jim Ellison When I first stumbled onto aikido in 1979, I was looking for little more than a way to keep in shape and possibly learn a few self-defense moves. One of my students recently asked me why I’m still … Read More
Aikido: Advice for the Kyu Grades
Jim Ellison (original post from Spiritual Gravity blog) In our dojo, we have four levels between white and black belts: yonkyu (green belt), sankyu (brown belt), nikyu (brown belt), and ikkyu (brown belt with black stripe). While these are still … Read More
Finding Aikido
Jim Ellison (Spiritual Gravity blog) Life is full of small miracles. Some people like to call them “coincidences”, but I think that “small miracles” is a much more fitting term. For me, Aikido has been a life-changing journey that has … Read More
Advice for the Beginning Aikido Student
As an aikido practitioner and teacher for almost 4 decades, I occasionally get asked what advice I would give to someone who is just starting out in aikido. Probably the hardest thing to get used to as a new aikido … Read More
Advice for the Beginning Martial Artist
Jim Ellison (Spiritual Gravity blog) and Tammy Epperson Have you ever watched martial artists on TV or in the movies and wanted to try it for yourself? Or maybe you have recently started taking a martial art, and are frustrated … Read More
Aikido and Energy Flow
Jim Ellison (from the Spiritual Gravity blog) Most people who have been practicing martial arts for awhile realize that there is more to it than just the physical aspect. Aikido is a defensive Japanese martial art developed by Morehei Ueshiba … Read More
What is Rank Based on in KUBK?
by Nick Lowry To understand what our ranking means and how we arrive at our ranking you have to understand that we are primarily a teaching institution- The initial ranks, kyu grades up through the dan grades Shodan , Nidan … Read More
Aikido: Thoughts on Randori
by Nick Lowry Don’t take a step you don’t have to take. Don’t put pressure in your hands unintentionally. Once you do have to step, try to keep at least one foot pointed at your target at all times. Invest … Read More