Of course I want you to listen to this highly engaging and elucidating conversation, but also, come to the seminar this weekend!!!

Of course I want you to listen to this highly engaging and elucidating conversation, but also, come to the seminar this weekend!!!

If you’re anywhere near the Tri-state area, or fancy flying on a whim, consider this your official, enthusiastic invitation: Bond Street Dojo will be hosting Melissa Bell Sensei for a special seminar [https://www.bondstreet.org/post/melissa-bell-sensei-seminar-1] this coming weekend, July 17th, 18th, and 19th. Melissa Sensei is Chief Instructor at Sarasota Aikikai [https://sarasotabudokan.com/], a dojo with some pretty immense historical gravity; Sarasota was the very first American city where Saotome Sensei settled upon leaving Japan in 1975 to spread O-Sensei’s vision. Being the custodian of such a lineally vital dojo is a massive responsibility, and Melissa Sensei carries that lineage forward sincerely, with integrity and grace. Her Aikido origin story began in 1992 at the famed Aikido Shobukan Dojo in D.C. During those formative years, Shobukan was the epicenter of ASU in the United States. Saotome Sensei was still in residence at the time. Surrounded by a bevy of influential teachers, Melissa Sensei described the environment as nothing short of extraordinary—like attending a master-level seminar every single night. But what makes Melissa Sensei’s practice so fascinating to me is how she’s augmented this immaculate traditional foundation through passionate, cross-disciplinary research. She brings two seemingly radically different, yet entirely complementary, influences to her Aikido: Argentine Tango and Shotokan Karate. Her dedicated exploration of improvisational Tango fundamentally deepens her understanding of musubi. In Tango, she says, there’s nowhere else to go and nowhere else to be; the follower must stay completely present, maintaining a vertical axis while remaining exquisitely sensitive to the leader’s subtle physical cues. This non-verbal dialogue translates fluently into the dojo, enhancing environmental awareness and the ability to seamlessly blend. On the other end of the spectrum, Melissa Sensei spent years subjecting herself to the rigors of a legit striking art, earning a Shodan in Shotokan Karate under the legendary Rick Hotton Sensei. By studying striking so deeply, she gained a visceral understanding of an attacker’s true biomechanics, velocity, and intent. The synthesis of these diverse disciplines is intriguing to say the least. Tango provides a breathtakingly fluid grace, while Karate ensures a sharp, pragmatic martial reality. The result is an expression of Aikido that is soft, inviting, and effortlessly beautiful, yet contains an enormous wellspring of (gentle) crushing power. It’s a perfect embodiment of balancing the sword that takes life with the sword that gives life. But as they say: you truly have to feel it to believe it. If you want to experience how relational (or is it rotational?) momentum (you’ll get the joke after you hear the episode), attention to posture, and (gentle) crushing power can completely revolutionize your practice, please come join us at Bond Street Dojo this weekend (July 17th-19th) I want to write more, but we just recorded this yesterday and I need to get it out in time… As promised, here is Melissa Sensei’s future Seminar Schedule [https://asu.org/calendar/] 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 and growing, 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]

Aikido works!

Today’s guest brings a uniquely brilliant and multifaceted perspective into the fold. Andre Igor sensei’s foray into the realm of martial arts began from a place many can intimately relate to: being bullied at school. Searching for a solution to this daily torment, he asked his mother for a life-changing gift for his 14th birthday—Karate lessons. Lucky for us, she agreed, setting him on a lifelong path that began at a Shotokan dojo in his home country of Haiti. While Karate soon provided him the physical aptitude to make the bullying stop, Igor sensei’s deep intellect and lifelong interest in human psychology has led him to a profound realization. He recognized that bullies are essentially speaking a language of violence, and responding to them with physical force is merely conversing in their destructive tongue. He began searching for additional ways to communicate. This search ultimately led him to Aikido. Coming from a strong striking background, Igor sensei was fascinated by Aikido’s emphasis on closing the distance and merging with the attacker in order to neutralize a threat without destroying it. Dealing with proximity and horizontality. I was blown away by Igor sensei’s ability to seamlessly describe and articulate Aikido as both a devastatingly effective martial art and a profoundly deep spiritual philosophy. When discussing the practical effectiveness of Aikido, he draws directly from his own lived experience, noting how “In Haiti things can be very chaotic, things can explode at any minute”. Igor sensei credits this intense environment with giving him the unique opportunity to genuinely test the application of Aikido in dangerous situations, while still taking care to emphasize that the ultimate goal of the martial artist is not simply to avoid fighting, but to also actively protect the aggressor from their own aggression. He’s uncovered a fascinating paradox: in a “street” attack, the aggressor commits 100% to their violence. They never entertain the thought that you might respond with a simple Taisabaki. It’s this absolute commitment to a violent act that provides the sincere opportunity for an Aikidoka to blend and safely neutralize the threat. Ultimately, it is the aggressor’s own total commitment to destruction that causes them to fail in their pursuit. Crucially, Igor Sensei takes his profound philosophy off the mat and directly into schools. Recognizing wisely that keeping such wisdom confined to private clubs limits its societal impact, he’s dedicated much of his time to organizational outreach. Founded in 2008, Dojodai [https://dojodai.com/] is a non-profit organization established by Igor Sensei with the primary mission of promoting Shotokan Karate and Aikido to the youth in Haiti. Over the years, the organization has thrived and significantly expanded its impact by bringing martial arts directly to where the children are—partnering with local schools to integrate training into their physical education programs. Today, Dojodai has successfully grown into an impressive network encompassing nine dojos, six instructors, and over 600 students. To bolster these efforts and further promote the country’s martial arts culture, they launched Budoka Magazine [https://budokamag.substack.com/] in December 2021. Serving as Haiti’s first-ever martial arts magazine, it acts as a powerful initiative to connect and inspire the local community. This publication operates alongside other highly successful grassroots programs, such as the “Girls Don’t Pay” initiative, which removed financial barriers for female practitioners and led to a massive surge of female participation in the organization’s training and tournaments. Realizing that a broader structure was necessary to achieve a truly impactful societal impact, they established a sister organization in the United States called the Emergence Foundation. [https://substack.com/@emergencengo] This US-based non-profit was created with the comprehensive goal of promoting sports, martial arts education, and health as a unified concept. Together, the two entities work in perfect tandem: the Emergence Foundation provides overarching support and resources, while Dojodai acts as the “on-the-ground” hand in Haiti, actively teaching these life-changing concepts to the youth. I sincerely hope to have Igor sensei back on soon as I feel like we were just beginning to scratch the surface. Please visit the Dojodai Aikido Fund [https://givebutter.com/aikido] to support his valiant effort to promote Aikido among youth in Haiti. “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, 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]

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]