A Good Aiki-Sphere
As founder and head (dojo-cho) of the Aikido Yuyashinkai dojo, I am deeply grateful for the atmosphere that pervades our training – both on a technical and a spiritual level. Every encounter on the mat takes place within this space, and it would be a mistake to think that its quality depends only on the person leading the training. In truth, it arises from the respectful interplay of all who step onto the mat. In other words: from you.
What shapes this atmosphere, why it matters, and how it contributes to a positive training experience – these are the thoughts I would like to share here.
Our dojo brings together people of many different backgrounds, both culturally and in their journeys through Aikido. Some of you know only the Aikido I teach – which itself has been influenced by many teachers over the years. Others bring with them experiences from elsewhere, enriching and expanding our collective practice.
Still, every dojo follows a certain line of teaching, and ours is no exception. Even a teacher in still early stages needs orientation. For me and us, that framework is mutoku (無得) – selflessness – as expressed in the Mutokukai and in the guidance of our shihan, Stéphane Benedetti. It is my responsibility as dojo-cho to provide a clear and consistent direction within this framework, so that Aikido is passed on in a way that is as coherent and comprehensive as possible.
This is especially important for beginners, for whom the curriculum may at first seem overwhelming. The principles behind the techniques must also be tested, embodied, and experienced in practice. Practitioners who have already trained in other dojo, other styles of Aikido, or even other martial arts are of course very welcome. Yet those with prior experience carry a special responsibility: to embrace openness, and to keep the mind of the beginner (shoshin). This often means engaging with methods that may feel unfamiliar or even contradictory to one’s past training.
A dojo, after all, is a place of encounter – intense encounter. The early stages of Aikido can be confusing in themselves. Just as beginners must commit to the path shown by the teacher, those with prior experience must also be willing to step onto that path anew. Both have the same duty: to treat themselves (ukemi) and their partners with caution, care and respect.
Aikido is a strategic system that, within its guiding principles, opens into a remarkable martial art. But it inevitably carries physical risk, and this can only be minimised through responsibility and consideration for one another. Approaching a technique step by step – moving gradually from static to flowing practice – is just as important as approaching one’s partner with attentiveness. This applies at large seminars with strangers as much as in daily training with familiar faces.
One obvious reason is the risk of injury. In the early years (which in my understanding includes at least the first five to ten), injuries may disrupt practice, slow progress, and can lead to frustration.
Note: In time (!), even injuries can deepen our body awareness and teach us how to grow despite limitations.
Another, more serious reason is the risk of fear. Nothing can flourish in an atmosphere of fear. Fear creates constant tension – the very opposite of the relaxation and calm we seek to cultivate in Aikido.
For the experienced, this does not mean discarding their past. But it does mean engaging sincerely with the dojo and its members, and not treating this place simply as somewhere to rehearse skills already acquired. In practice, this also means that the less experienced (kohei) must be given the space to repeat what the teacher has shown, as precisely as possible. Creating that space is the responsibility of the more experienced (sempai).
For advanced students, experimentation certainly has its place. But it should not overshadow careful imitation. When kept in balance, this ensures focused study and fair conditions for all.
Note: Where levels of experience are roughly equal, this of course applies as well.
Mutual respect, patience, humility, curiosity, openness – these are part of the Aikido curriculum no less than the techniques, the falls and throws, or the enjoyment of practice itself. Together, they create the conditions for training that is successful, rewarding, and above all safe. And they exist only because you, the practitioners, uphold them. For this, I thank you.
I hope these reflections on our shared place of practice find resonance with you. Should you have any questions, please let me know. As your dojo-cho, I am honoured to walk this path of Aikido with you, and I look forward to the many valuable experiences we will continue to share in the coming seasons.
Fritz S., dojo-cho