Holistic Budo at Sangamon Aikikai

20250922: Seminars, Differing Perspectives, and Shoshin

Some reflections on attendance at the recent 50th anniversary seminar at the Midwest Aikido Center in Chicago; associated discussion of differences in perspective among instructors or between instructors and students, and of how this highlights the role of shoshin in the spiritual cultivation aspect of a budo practice. From the mat of Sangamon Aikikai, Springfield, Illinois, 2025 September 22.

20250919: Transcendence: States of Consciousness

Exploration of the role of altered states of consciousness and specifically the ecstatic state in an aikido practice. Inspired by a reflection by David M. Valadez in the Senshin Center Patreon feed and other outlets. From the mat of Sangamon Aikikai, Springfield, Illinois, 2025 September 19.

20250911: Social Discipline: Service

Discussion of service as crucial to social disciplinary aspect of a budo practice, from the mat of Sangamon Aikikai, Springfield, Illinois, 2025 September 11.

20250909: Physiological Discipline: Sleep

Discussion of sleep discipline as fundamental to the physiological disciplinary aspect of a budo practice, from the mat of Sangamon Aikikai, Springfield, Illinois, 2025 September 9.