The Tao of Cacao

Natural, architectural, embodied awareness

I met today’s guest in Linda Holiday Sensei’s online misogi class, where I quickly noticed that she always has profoundly interesting, deeply reflective things to say. I’m truly honored to offer this platform to share her insights with you. Joana Corbett da Silveira is the guiding current behind Shizen Aikido [https://shizen-aikido.com/] (in Ilhabela, Brazil.) True to its name, which translates to “Nature,” her dojo practice is magnificently immersed in the natural world. In fact, before securing her current space, she taught right on the beach, keiko on the sand, beneath the open sky, cusping the sea. Talk about a dream… During our conversation, she eloquently describes how the elements became her ultimate teachers; the soft shifting ground would reveal the true alignment of their kamae through footprints, and the powerful ocean wind would sometimes literally sway their bokken during strikes. Immersing in these elemental, energetic “beautiful island” surroundings sounds like a wonderful way to experience standing on the Floating Bridge of Heaven. Joana’s Aiki journey underwent what you might call a dimensional shift in consciousness during Covid, when she discovered the teachings of Senseis; Jan Nevelius, Richard Moon, Mary Heiny, and Linda Holiday. These extraordinary teachers profoundly influenced and empowered her to discover her own authentic expression of the art. She describes this transformative period as “coming out of the box”—learning to release attachments to rigid systems, conventional hierarchies, and the sometimes paralyzing need for external approval. By bravely stepping out of this traditional box, she transitioned away from a purely physical, adrenaline-fueled practice into a much softer, deeply fluid internal exploration. Central to this evolution is her deep integration of Qigong, a practice she embraced wholeheartedly after studying with Jan Nevelius Sensei. Joana Sensei beautifully conceptualizes this practice as exploring the “natural architecture of the body”. ( and I’d trust Joana Sensei’s expertise in architecture, she has a degree!) Rather than relying on forced movements that inevitably wear down our joints, she uses Qigong principles to reorganize the human structure from the inside out—properly aligning the tailbone, the spine, and the feet as prescribed by nature. This deep internal work serves as an expression of musubi, tying together physical structure and energetic flow, allowing one to move with freedom, longevity, and through an extraordinary dialogue with the body’s subtle needs. Joana Sensei takes this profound somatic knowledge off the mat and into daily life. She explains how even the simple, mundane act of standing up from a chair requires an awareness of our natural bodily architecture. By consistently practicing what constitutes Qigong, we can actively regulate our own nervous system wherever we are—whether dealing with a stressful conversation or stepping into an intimidating environment. Joana is clearly passionate about building an interconnected world family of Aikidoka. Hey. what a coincidence, me too! She emphasizes that Aikido is fundamentally about person-to-person relationships, and she actively wants to network, share ideas, and train together across lineages. I highly encourage everyone listening to reach out, say hello, and connect with her directly on Instagram, where she shares her ongoing Metamorfose Ambulante (an amazing song from the City of God soundtrack which I mentioned at the beginning of our talk, which is highly relevant to the discussion.) Shizen Dojo Instagram Link [https://www.instagram.com/shizen.aikido] Personal Instagram link [https://www.instagram.com/joanacorbett] Please help support Ki to the City “Ki to the City” remains a reader-supported publication. If you draw inspiration from these dialogues and wish to help me keep this podcast alive in the modern world, I humbly ask for your support. Please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber. If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution (or maybe have some editing work for me!), you can email me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com, and as a token of my immense gratitude, you will receive a complimentary copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe [https://kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Aiki Forward

One of the very first people to reach out with encouraging words when I announced that I was starting this project was Crystal Aldrich Sensei, owner and head instructor of Aikido New London County. [http://www.aikidonlc.com/] Crystal Sensei and I go way back (it’s nice to get some “tri-state” representation on the show) and her support has meant the world to me. She’s a tireless builder of bridges and a fierce champion for the global Aikido community, genuinely doing exactly what I hope(d) to achieve with this podcast: keeping Aikido vibrant, making it accessible, and ensuring its survival in the modern world. Crystal Sensei treats networking and human connection as a vital responsibility. While some lament about declining membership, she is actively heading in the opposite direction. Defying the odds and the trend of closing dojos, she (relatively) recently took the monumental leap to open a new one. Opening a dedicated space, especially now, requires an unbelievable amount of hard work, grit, faith, and bravery, yet she’s succeeded quite brilliantly. By committing to her role as a Sensei with unwavering dedication, she’s cultivated a thriving community to be proud of. She’s proving that people are hungry for the harmonious and culturally rich practice of Aikido—they just need to be invited in properly. Yet another commendable aspect of Crystal Sensei’s presence in the Aikido world is the vital example she provides for marginalized demographics. She understands profoundly that representation matters. As a female Dojo Cho, she stands as a beacon for women coming up in the ranks who might be searching the mat for someone who looks like them. She mindfully creates space for female instructors at her seminars and actively works to make her dojo a welcoming, highly visible haven for the LGBTQ+ community. By consciously shedding rigid, exclusionary attitudes of the past, she ensures that anyone seeking empowerment, safety, and a better version of themselves can find solace on her tatami. Beyond the physical walls of her dojo, Crystal’s exemplary work extends to the global stage through her role as a strategist and producer for Aiki Extensions [https://www.aikiextensions.org/]. She’s been instrumental in rebranding their digital presence and helping to promote the availability of AE seed grants [https://www.aikiextensions.org/seed-grants] for those earnestly looking to use Aikido for social good. I can’t stress this enough: Crystal’s work is invaluable. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to reach membership goals, or simply interested in expanding further the “Art of Peace” in your community, I highly encourage you to get in touch with her: For Aiki Extensions related inquires: media@aikiextensions.org And follow her @aikidonlc on all the social media platforms Also, join her Aiki-Forward [http://www.aikidonewlondoncounty.com/aikiforward] mailing list to learn more about the non-profit organization she’s forming dedicated to helping Aikido thrive for future generations. Crystal Sensei’s aim is to bring together instructors, students, dojo owners, and supporters who care deeply about preserving the heart of Aikido while exploring new ideas, better teaching methods, stronger communities, and sustainable growth. I’m honored to share her mission with you Support Ki to the City Ki to the City” remains a reader-supported publication. If you draw inspiration from these dialogues and wish to help me keep this project alive, I humbly ask for your support. Please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber. If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution to help offset the costs of production, you can email me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com, and as a token of my immense gratitude, you will receive a complimentary copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe [https://kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Aikido is a Matter of the Heart

This is a bit of an experimental bonus…kinda. I told you a few episodes back [https://kitothecity.substack.com/p/ultra-exciting-announcement?r=1f0jsg] (if you’ve been following at home) that I’m creatively engaging with Kayla Feder Sensei on a exciting book project. Well, I’m pleased to say it’s coming along splendidly, and I thought it might be interesting to give you a peek behind the curtain at the creative process. If you’re new to this show, check out this link [https://kitothecity.substack.com/p/open-your-heart?r=1f0jsg] to my previous conversation with Kayla Sensei for all the pertinent background information. Saying I’m enthusiastic about this project, would be an understatement. Kayla Sensei has such a captivating cadence and her wisdom and insight are more than book-worthy. I’m honored to document her unique place in the Aikido and, let’s be ambitious, why not, literary landscape. by the way, if you can think of anyone who you know secretly wants to write a book, but doesn’t think it’s practical or possible, send them my way. thanks… Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe [https://kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Aikido is Misogi

I was supposed to be writing today, or figuring out some “next steps” but I made this video instead. Don’t know why I can’t resist black and white. Amazing energy at the dojo lately, hope it’s a sign of things to come. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe [https://kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Mastering the pen (and the sword, just in case)

One fateful day, whilst walking past the wrestling room at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a literal flash of light reflecting off a katana caught Michael Weber Sensei’s eye, drawing him into his first Aikido demonstration—and he never looked back. He began his Aikido journey in 1989 with John Boland Sensei. Very soon after, his practice would be fundamentally shaped by a life-changing encounter with Mary Heiny Sensei during a seminar. In our talk, Michael Sensei describes a visceral, mystical reaction to Mary Sensei’s presence—the room’s colors shifted to gold, and he was moved to tears by a profound inner sense of peace. He also described feeling as though he’d been hit on the back of the head. All the while a profound inner voice assuring him that “it’s going to be okay”. This meeting provided the spark he needed to ultimately move beyond his identity as a “hotshot” student and seek a deeper, more internal understanding of the art. Inspired by Mary Sensei’s example as a pioneer who persevered through societal barriers and physical obstacles with “never-say-die” determination, he eventually uprooted his life and moved to Japan to train in the Shingu lineage under Michio Hikitsuchi Sensei. Training at the Kumano Juku Dojo placed him squarely at the center of O-Sensei’s spiritual legacy. In Shingu, Michael Sensei absorbed a philosophy that viewed Aikido techniques not as combat strategies, but as tools to observe one’s interior landscape, emphasizing the subtle ripple of the mind and the discipline of Shugyo training, to move past the limitations of the ego. By serendipitously connecting with Hikitsuchi Sensei, he became part of a direct transmission chain reaching back to O Sensei’s most private and religiously inspired period of development in the Kumano mountains. As a high school teacher, Michael Sensei views the classroom as an extension of the dojo. He shares a brilliant story of walking into a room on the brink of violence, where a hot-tempered student was being relentlessly bullied. Utilizing his extraordinary listening, he bypassed his own panic, and delivered a perfectly timed kiai to freeze the room, breaking the destructive trance of the moment. Then, employing some masterful musubi, he removed the agitated student from his audience, guided him into the hallway, and aligned with his perspective. By challenging the young man to be the “bigger person,” Michael Sensei successfully guided him past his instinctual hardware, transforming a potentially devastating physical brawl into a moment of peaceful de-escalation. He also translates an Aiki inspired ethic into his parallel career as a published author—applying Hikitsuchi Sensei’s mandate of Shugyo (showing up to the dojo every single day, even if only for 10 minutes) by enforcing a strict daily discipline to write at least one sentence, no matter what. I’ve often been brutally honest on this podcast about my own writing foibles, posing as an amateur prose poet attempting to express the metaphysical vastness of Aikido (and life). It can be a daunting endeavor to sit in isolation and attempt to forge something meaningful and positive. Writing, much like dojo practice, sometimes requires an intense internal reckoning with one’s own simultaneous arrogance and self-doubt. This is exactly why the advice Michael Sensei offered me toward the end of our conversation struck such a motivating chord. What did he say? Well, you’ll have to listen for yourself ;) His Current projects: publishing fantasy novels and role playing games for a fantasy world in development since he needed to stay awake in a high school geometry course back in 1984. He’s got two novels out with another release planned for this October. Drafts are in line to release some more over the next several years. Links here for The New Apprentice [https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product/the-new-apprentice/] and Finish the Mission [https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product/finish-the-mission/]. And check out his dojo! Aikido of Wales [https://aikidoofwales.com/index.html] Bringing these transformative dialogues to the “airwaves” is a labor of love, buuuut, Ki to the City remains a reader-supported publication. If you draw inspiration from these conversations and wish to help me keep this project alive. I humbly ask for your support. Please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber. If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution, you can email me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com, and as a token of my immense gratitude, you will receive a complimentary copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe [https://kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]