I first had Don Dickie Sensei as a guest back in April, and he blew my mind with his vivid, coherent, and powerful description of meditation, inspiring me to finally pursue my own inner practice in earnest.

(Brief update on how that practice is going: I’ve so far cobbled together aspects of what I’m learning from Don Sensei, Linda Holiday Sensei, and Koichi Barrish Sensei, with some leftover vestiges of previous “astral travel” experiments. Overall, I’m feeling pretty connected to the universe.)

Don Sensei’s impressive background includes intensive studies in kinesiology, cognitive psychology, and Tibetan Buddhism. This unique perspectival expertise provides him a multifocal lens through which to examine the connections between movements, mental states, and spiritual aspirations.

His understanding of the mind-body connection is phenomenal.

He’s also the author of several illuminating books you can find at this link: dondickie.com

As someone who has attempted to juggle a fusion of creative writing and Aikido practice—while seeking to explore the dynamic flow of both—I’m thrilled to delve into an author’s work that consciously harnesses this synergy.

On this special episode, Don Sensei reads selected pieces from his deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido.

This inspirational collection of poems is a vehicle for active spiritual inquiry, an eloquent path towards attaining greater awareness.

I’m in awe of how viscerally he’s able to describe both the inner and outer worlds we inhabit in our practice—the action and the stillness, simultaneously.

For instance, in the poem titled “Awareness,” this elusive concept is defined beautifully through metaphor, highlighting its subtle, pervasive quality:

It’s a soft thing, not hard or sharp. More a blanket enveloping without constraint. No matter how comfortable, other things demand our attention… An attack comes silently, unaware, unprepared. You are hit.

The lack of a soft, all-encompassing awareness ultimately leads to getting caught up in trifling conflict, describing the literal and figurative “Story of Randori.”

Don Sensei emphasizes that the practice of overall awareness is not an end unto itself; it’s the catalyst for refining our intuition, an inner guidance granted divine provenance by O Sensei. This development is a crucial step on the way to fulfilling Aikido’s true stated goal: making the world a better place.

But beyond the literary and metaphysical, we also, importantly, discussed Don Sensei’s extremely generous offer to help support this podcast.

He’s graciously donated a limited number (125 copies) of Silent Winds of Aikido.

They’re available to listeners who’d like to make a (badly needed) donation to help keep this project going.

If you’d like to receive a copy (or multiple copies—think New Year’s gift for your dojo), please email me directly at [email protected] for more details.

I’m extremely grateful for this gesture. Don Sensei has been a great friend and supporter of this project since the very beginning.

His faith in my mission means the world to me, and I’d love to introduce his writing to those who are otherwise unaware of his profound wisdom.

So please, reach out to me if you’re interested in receiving a copy. Even if you’re unable to make a monetary contribution at this time, sharing this episode on social media (or something like that) would go a long way.

The goal is to share the message.

Peace

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I had the immense pleasure of speaking with yet another board member of Aiki Extensions, Susan Dutton Sensei, Chief Instructor at Aiseishinkan dojo in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

If there’s one theme that’s continually revealed itself throughout this podcast’s first year of taking shape, it’s the phenomenal potential of Aikido to transcend boundaries beyond physical training.

Susan Dutton Sensei’s fascinating background, expertise, and dedication to applying Aikido principles make her work wonderfully unique and highly impactful, particularly in the realm of emotional and psychological well-being.

Eq-do (her own brilliant portmanteau) is the term she’s coined for her coaching practice, bridging the philosophical depth of Aikido with contemporary somatic/psychological science and applying these integrated principles to facilitate healing.

According to Susan Sensei, a fundamental insight of EQ-do is that by using the physical body to teach emotional concepts, they stick at a much deeper level than purely cognitive information.

A great example she uses is teaching emotional distancing by demonstrating that once students learn to take hanmi and feel their power to not be affected by a gentle push, they realize they are responsible for their own balance, not the actions of another.

Susan Sensei’s practice is many-layered, drawing on principles that go beyond simple technique, incorporating mental and spiritual intention:

One particularly fascinating facet of her work involves the practice and teaching of TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises), a sequence of exercises designed to facilitate the release of deep tension through body tremors. These neurogenic tremors are a natural way to reset the body when the nervous system is locked in fight or flight mode, thereby freeing the mind to access higher wisdom.

It’s really incredible stuff.

Pretty much blew my mind.

But I don’t want to give too much away…

Because I want you to listen to the episode!

Don’t forget to check out all the amazing things going on at Aiki Extensions.

They’re genuinely trying to make the world a better place. I cherish every conversation I’ve had with them so far and hope to do my part to spread the word far and wide.

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Exploring the transformative potential of Aikido through this project has led me down some unexpected, yet highly rewarding, paths.

Connecting with (and receiving wisdom from) truly visionary people like Richard Sims has positively influenced my own practice substantially.

Our conversation sits right at the heart of everything this podcast aims to explore: the intersection of philosophy and tangible, interpersonal impact.

Richard serves as a dedicated board member of Aiki Extensions, which shows right off the bat how devoted he is to extending the principles and practices of Aikido beyond the physical dojo space, pursuing a broad societal benefit.

As you may have noticed by my recent guest list, Somatics has become a keen interest of mine as of late.

Richard is instrumental in the field, serving as the president of the board of ISMETA (the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association).

He defines somatics as the “in-depth study of the self from your lived experience, emphasizing the intentional, coordinated awareness and use of the body, mind, and spirit for the betterment of the individual and their community.”

We explore in depth the role that this heightened awareness could play in enhancing Aikido practice.

We also discuss how the integration of Aiki principles and somatic awareness is culminating in an exciting project being currently undertaken by Aiki Extensions:

A trauma handbook that Richard is co-authoring alongside fellow board members, Jamie Zimron and Susan Dutton, all of whom possess expertise in both Aikido and trauma work.

This handbook is expected to roll out early next year. I will cover it extensively here, so stay tuned for that.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be connected to this AE community. I’ve interviewed several AE board members so far, and every talk has led me to want to get involved deeper into the ultra-important work they are doing.

Their sincere dedication to global peace and human betterment through the principles of Aikido constantly renews my own faith.

I look forward to continuous learning about how we can all use the principles of Aikido to make the world a better place.

To learn more about Richard Sims, please check out his website here: Richardesims.com

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On this episode,

My talk with Liam Robertson, musician and aikidoka (Aikido of Petaluma), moved pretty deftly (if I do say so myself) into an exploration of the profound philosophical and physical resonances between these two harmonic arts.

We got into a sound discussion (get it?) on the many parallels between Aikido and music, ultimately recognizing them both as empowering disciplines that refine our natural emotional expressions, offering the opportunity, through harmonic shifts, to move beyond “ego.”

A further focus on authentic, present expression led us into the realm of somatics, specifically Liam’s understanding that the body is your first instrument.

Strozzi-Heckler Sensei, defines somatics as the art and study of the soma, viewing the body as a “living wholeness” where mind, body, and spirit are integrated.

Liam applies this principle directly in his music teaching, asserting that the body is the primary instrument for self-expression, preceding the voice. This approach requires the practitioner to witness what is occurring in the body, paying attention to posture and presence, etc.

Sounds like Aikido...

We also contemplated the critical role of competition in shaping both arts, particularly the revolutionary non-competitive stance of Aikido.

In our modern, atomized, and hyper-competitive world, the Aikido dojo offers a necessary sanctuary for people seeking more harmony in their lives.

As in playing music with a joyful devotion, when practice is collaborative, it allows us to transcend the illusory quality of separation and division.

Don’t miss this one!

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On this episode of “Ki to the City,” we dive into one of our most candid and courageous conversations yet, featuring Matt Gano, a long-time student of Koichi Barrish Sensei.

Despite engaging in some profoundly insightful conversations with Barrish Sensei, and having the honor of attending (online) his Chouhai morning prayer sessions on the weekends, I’ve yet to have the fortune of ever directly training with him.

Matt gives us a panoramic view of what it was like to discover Aikido by chancing upon the dojo of this amazing Sensei and wonderful human being.

Matt’s journey into Aikido began, as many do, with a search for self-defense, but has evolved into something much deeper: a search for awareness. He’s come to the understanding that we are all expressions of nature, and our practice is the dedicated process of refining that awareness and expression.

We ruminate on the numerous allusions O Sensei made to Aikido being expressed most clearly in nature, which led to a long, but highly infotaining (I promise) digression into the behavioral intelligence of crows and ravens and our own personal experiences trying to befriend members of the corvid family.

Matt views his struggles with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and social anxiety through the lens of training, considering difficult experiences like appearing on this podcast as a form of practice – shugyo in daily life.

His unique insights provide another timely reminder that Aikido is far more than just a set of physical techniques; it’s a therapeutic exercise and a vital source of strength for navigating the complexities of modern life.

I could write much more about the deep, frank, open, lively, joyful conversation we had, but I want you to listen to the episode!

If you’d like to read some of Matt’s impressions on Aikido and life, please visit Aikiweb.com, where you can find his writing.

(I tried to post the link, but as we talk about in the episode, I always have trouble accessing Aikiweb. My computer told me to “delete my cookies”. I don’t even know what that means. Sorry.)

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How does embracing our body’s non-cognitive intelligence offer us infinite pathways to creativity and conflict resolution that our overthinking minds cannot?

This week, I had a vivifying conversation in which we traverse that very question.

I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Dr. Elisabet Lahti, a brilliant researcher and educator from Helsinki, Finland.

Dr Lahti is world-renowned for studying and celebrating the ancient Finnish concept of Sisu, which she describes as Somatic Resilience: the universal human capacity to endure under pressure and take action against slim odds, unearthing courage from deep within.

Sisulab is her fantastic website and podcast, which I sincerely suggest you check out to learn more about the profound work she’s doing.

Dr Lahti’s journey into understanding this deep inner strength is powerfully, deeply personal. Her own experience drove her probing research: How do humans find a way to overcome extreme difficulty? What is Sisu beyond concept?

She pushed her limits, running 1,500 miles across the entire length of New Zealand to research Sisu viscerally while simultaneously supporting a campaign to end domestic violence.

Intense effort led to a massive realization: the old idea of “mind over matter” wasn’t the path to true strength. This discovery led to the foundation of her groundbreaking concept: Gentle Power.

Dr Lahti describes Gentle Power as the high octave version of Sisu. It’s the way to use the primordial human life force in a conscious manner. She emphasizes that being relaxed is vital; being relaxed doesn’t mean that you’re powerless.

Gentle Power is the yin and the yang, the hard and soft qualities in harmony.

Gentle Power is strength that is unforced, tender, and tempered, combining fierce resolve with softness and discernment. When describing its effect, she states that Gentle Power doesn’t grasp, doesn’t impose, doesn’t demand, doesn’t pretend, and yet, it expresses, states, and excels, allowing you to use your vital life force (Ki) without burning out.

One huge takeaway from our talk, for me, was the reminder that cognitive reality is not the only reality. I notice that in most of these talks, this resolution of the schism between “mind” and “body” is often discussed.

I’m learning so much.

Dr Lahti shares how her background in social psychology had conditioned her to view human behavior and strength as something primarily mental. But her own research helped her realize that Sisu is more somatic than cognitive.

She notes that as we grow up and enter society, we are often robbed of our natural way of moving through the world, forcing most things to seem to happen only in the cognitive realm, almost like we are constrained by a “cognitive broadband.”

This is limiting, to say the least.

She views Aikido as the necessary “yin side” to balance sheer determination, constantly giving the impetus to relax more. This helps develop the intelligence of the body and teaches us how to harmonize and blend to dissolve conflict of energy.

Borrowing a phrase from past guest, Richard Moon, we were really just “learning out loud” together.

Hope you enjoy the episode!

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On this episode of Ki to the City, I was joined by Scott Engler of Two Rock Aikido, a long-time student of Richard Strozzi-Heckler Sensei.

Scott’s journey represents a remarkable path of integrating intellectual pursuits with physical and somatic disciplines. His story moves from the rarefied air of academia and the stark environment of corporate technology to the Aikido dojo and, eventually, to becoming a professional practitioner of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy.

Check out his website here: Heart of Stillness

(And his Instagram is replete with informative and inspirational content)

In his own words, Scott began his adult life as a highly academic person, focusing his university studies on ancient Greek and Latin, becoming deeply fascinated with the ancient world.

Interestingly, at the same time he was entrenched in those studies, he was competitively engaged in saber fencing, a Western martial art. He recalls that fencing generated a profound sense of aliveness—a feeling he describes in detail—a feeling much the same as what he experiences in the dojo.

Scott later transitioned into the burgeoning world of computers, working for large software companies. However, the sedentary reality of “sitting in cubicles” proved physically taxing, eventually leading to breakdowns in his neck and back, compelling him to seek solutions like chiropractic care and massage.

This crucial period marked his recognition that body awareness and touch needed to be integrated into his life in profound new ways.

The catalyst for his full commitment came at the end of 1991 when a friend introduced him to Strozzi-Heckler Sensei’s influential book, In Search of the Warrior Spirit.

Scott found the book to be a huge, personal revelation, speaking directly to his inner struggles, particularly the conflict between a deeply rooted pacifist side and a martial side, and questioning how to handle confrontations or bullies. This synchronicity deepened when he realized Richard Sensei lived nearby, leading him to the dojo in February 1992. At this pivotal moment, during a painful personal transition, when the ground was shaking beneath him, he found in Aikido and in Richard Sensei a guide to what would become his life’s work.

A central theme of Scott’s training is Somatics, defined for as the art and study of the soma—an ancient Greek word for body. Scott elaborates that Somatics views the whole person—heart, mind, soul, spirit, and physicality—as interconnected. He explains that Aikido is inherently a somatic art, along with all martial arts, provided they are approached as a means to expand beyond mere technique and encompass the entire self and one’s conscious creations. This holistic approach is seen as a therapy for the schism or disconnect often fostered by Cartesian dualism in Western thought, offering a path to a more unified, aware way of being.

Scott’s current professional practice, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), flows directly from his somatic foundation. BCST originated from cranial osteopathy and is distinguished by its focus on the body’s inherent, subtle processes rather than just the biomechanics of tissues, tendons, and bones. In BCST, Scott places his attention on the unified fluid field within the body, listening intently to the slow, deep rhythm described as the “primary respiration” or the “long tide”. This practice is fundamentally concerned with supporting the body’s innate healing capacity, offering a less mechanical route than other forms of bodywork.

He made the deliberate decision to transition to this work full-time in January 2007, recognizing the necessity of cultivating his practice over a “long horizon view”.

Our conversation bridges Scott’s deeply physical and therapeutic work back to his intellectual roots in ancient Greek and Latin, in the oldest literature: the epic poems Iliad and Odyssey.

These are essentially warrior stories, but when studied deeply, they reveal clues about the universal human condition, mortality, and the complex questioning of violence.

Together, we muse on the relationship between this ancient, martial-themed literary tradition and the modern martial path of Aikido—comparing the feeling of wrestling with the nature of a life defined by cubicle work, political cataclysms, and economic necessity, with the more acute fatalistic stresses of “battle”.

Ultimately, Scott’s story embodies the somatic ideal: turning life’s conflicts and ruptures into generative actions, cultivating a path toward a more “vivid peace,” through the expansion of awareness and the continuous practice of being truly alive.

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On this episode of Ki to the City, I sat down with my good friend and fellow Bond Street Dojo instructor, Nico Puertollano, for a candid, yet casual conversation about almost everything under the Aikido umbrella.

We dove straight into the deep end, questioning the very relevancy of Aikido in the modern world. If it doesn’t feel relevant, then what’s the point?

That led us to discuss the perpetually challenging state of our home dojo, Bond Street—the perils of toughing it out in NYC.

This is one of the more down-to-earth episodes I’ve done.

Since Nico and I train together on a regular basis, we naturally drifted into talking about some of the more technical and physical aspects of practice than I usually do on this show.

How important are front rolls? How does it shift your perception of training if you view the techniques as “Kata”? What’s the function of Uke?

I’m not going to spoil the answers for you, mainly because there are no definitive answers to these questions, but if you’re interested in our 4 cents’ worth, please check out the episode.

Here are Nico’s Links:

I’m not really an Instagram person, but Nico has a really cool IG account: AikiGram

And look! He’s also on Substack: Nico’s Substack

I have to give you a quick peek behind the “Ki to City” curtain for a minute.

I usually cap the episodes at an hour and ten minutes because my mic/headphone set-up is less than ideal, so I have to export the audio into Garageband to polish up the sound quality.

This episode went a little longer than that, so I had to clip the last 15 minutes and include it here. Nico makes some very profound points, so please check it out.

I truly love having and sharing these conversations, making aiki ripples, and connecting with the community. If you so happen to be in the position to become a paid subscriber, it would make a huge difference in ensuring that I can continue this project for the foreseeable future.

Also, I’ve also started an alternate Substack for my writing that’s not so Aikido-focused. If you’re interested in that you can find it here: Optimystic

Thank you

Jon

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It’s a true honor and absolute privilege to present this episode of Ki to the City, featuring my conversation with one of the most vital figures in contemporary Aikido.

Linda Holiday Sensei is the founder of Aikido of Santa Cruz and the esteemed author of Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei.

In addition to being an authentic, accomplished martial artist and writer, Holiday Sensei is a cultural intermediary. Her academic background, which includes a Master’s degree in East Asian Studies from Stanford University, positions her as an exceptionally reliable and significant conduit for understanding / transmitting the teachings of O-Sensei and the many other influential Sensei she’s met along the way.

Her critically acclaimed book is instrumental in articulating the spiritual depth inherent in the art. It vividly describes her personal experience training closely with O-Sensei’s direct students in the mystical Kumano region of Japan, the life and trajectory of her primary teacher, Motomichi Anno Sensei, and important aspects of the founder’s path, ultimately inviting the reader into a deep study of Aikido as O-Sensei originally articulated it.

This monumental work also serves as an act of cultural preservation, faithfully capturing the wisdom of Anno Sensei, one of the last remaining direct students of O Sensei—shining a bright light on the heart of Aikido.

I highly recommend reading it, if you haven’t already. Here’s the link: Journey to the Heart of Aikido

Holiday Sensei’s own work in founding Aikido of Santa Cruz as a non-profit educational organization, her international travels to teach (and learn from) others, and her online misogi sessions (see below), align magnificently with the founder’s aspiration to unite humanity through harmony and build a world family.

I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, because I don’t want you to miss out on listening to the episode with a pair of fresh ears. (Is that even a saying, “fresh ears”?)

But I do want to mention that I’m invigorated and encouraged by our chat and also now very much looking forward to participating in Holiday Sensei’s aforementioned (just one paragraph up) online misogi sessions, which you can join here: Misogi link.

These virtual classes (Mon. and Wed. at 8AM PST) are an open invitation to experience misogi, chinkon kishin, chanting practices, and inspiring discussions drawn from O Sensei’s philosophy.

Hope to see you there.

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On this episode of Ki to the City, I had the distinct honor of being joined by Robert Kent, President of Aiki Extensions.

Robert Sensei received Ben & Jerry’s 2008 “Peace Pioneer” prize and the Small Business Council of America’s “Humanitarian of the Year” award in 2016.

I’m incredibly proud to share this conversation with you.

The work being spearheaded by Aiki Extensions is profoundly important, shining as a beacon for global peace, conflict resolution, and betterment in this increasingly (to put it mildly) challenging human society.

Established in 1998 by the late Professor Don Levine Sensei, Aiki Extensions Inc. is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational hub rooted in O Sensei’s core philosophy, particularly the application of “Aikido as medicine for a sick world.”

Kent Sensei, serving as its President since 2009, embodies the very mission of applying Aiki principles far beyond the cozy confines of the dojo. His deep commitment to Aikido is complemented by rigorous intellectual training: he holds a BA in Religion & Philosophy from Williams College and an MA in Ethics from Claremont Graduate School.

This intersection of expertise—martial arts, ethics, and philosophy—provides him with profound three-pronged credibility. It allows him to discuss the application of Aiki principles in complex, abstract domains like ethics, leadership, and international conflict with practical insight and embodied wisdom.

One of the most fascinating themes we explored was the physiological transformation that Aikido facilitates.

Kent Sensei is preparing to teach a course at Williams College, “Forging Character, Aikido and Cultivating Your Best Possible Self,” which posits that character is the result of better decisions and actions taken over time.

He explains how Aikido training can effectively retrain the amygdala. (The amygdala is the trigger for the high-stress, shortcut decision-making system we’re born with, which typically defaults to fight, flight, freeze, fawn, or “freak out” responses.)

By training physically in Aikido, the nervous system is retrained to offer compassionate, calm, centered, and blending responses. This new response eventually becomes the default under stress, leading to better decisions, actions, habits, and ultimately, better character. This concept is crucial, demonstrating how Aikido training helps us cultivate our best possible selves.

The importance of Aiki Extensions, particularly concerning their dedication to global peace-building programs, cannot be overstated.

One of the jewels in their portfolio is the Peace Camp Initiative (PCI), which Kent Sensei founded as a direct outgrowth of his background in teen counseling and conflict resolution. PCI functions as a scholarship fund, bringing Palestinian and Jewish youth leaders to a sports camp in upstate Pennsylvania each summer. The explicit goal is to forge bonds of friendship and trust for the next generation of leaders in the Middle East to achieve peace.

By requiring participants to engage in shared physical practice, the program facilitates the embodied connection necessary for genuine rapport, bypassing cultural and linguistic barriers more effectively than traditional political exchanges. This initiative, co-directed by Robert Kent and longtime AE board member (previous guest) Jamie Leno Zimron, has provided this valuable experience for many campers over the years. (AE looks forward to when they can resume sending campers.)

We also discussed Aiki Extensions’ innovative approach to societal contribution through direct therapeutic support. AE is actively developing a trauma handbook, expected to be rolled out next spring. This handbook of exercises and explanations is designed as a therapeutic tool for trauma work, enabling dojo leaders to partner with local licensed community therapists.

This collaboration utilizes the dojo leader’s physical expertise and Aikido tools (focused on reconnecting with the body, improving movement pathways, and re-framing events) alongside professional therapeutic guidance, addressing various forms of trauma such as combat-related PTSD or unhealthy family dynamics. The vision here is to equip dojo-cho with additional tools, providing them with more ways to make a living while sharing the healing benefits of Aikido.

I’m really looking forward to that.

Aiki Extensions also serves as a crucial connective hub, supporting a wider network of like-minded initiatives globally. This support is largely channeled through the Seed & Support Grant Program, which offers modest funding typically ranging from $500 to $1000. This decentralized, grassroots funding model is deliberate, allowing AE to maximize its global reach and catalyze diverse projects from local practitioners.

Examples of the projects that AE supports demonstrate the breadth of its impact outside the traditional dojo:

* Aikido With Veterans: Projects aimed at reducing PTSD symptoms and building healthy lifestyles.

* Anti-bullying and ‘Aiki Kindness’ projects piloted in schools.

* Community-focused initiatives, such as low-cost Aikido programs for kids and parents.

* International efforts like Training Across Borders, which brings together people from conflicting nations, and projects supporting Aikido Ethiopia.

* Support for related endeavors, including the International Aiki Peace Week and organizations dedicated to preserving Aikido history, such as Josh Gold’s work at Aikido Journal and Budo Accelerator.

* This podcast :)

It is my sincere hope that this episode sheds light on how organizations like Aiki Extensions, under the thoughtful guidance of Robert Kent Sensei, are actively transforming the philosophical ideals of Aikido into tangible global action. The philosophical commitment of Aiki Extensions aligns perfectly with my own goal of bringing more Ki to the City

Tune in to hear how Aiki Extensions is supporting the movement for global peace and providing essential resources for trauma recovery, demonstrating that Aikido truly offers “vital ‘medicine’ of humane values” for an increasingly stressful world.

I encourage listeners to explore the work of Aiki Extensions and consider how their personal Aikido journey can contribute to these crucial ripples of peace.

For more information about Robert Kent Sensei and incredible peace-building programs and grant opportunities, please check out the following links:

* www.politicalaikido.org (Robert Sensei’s article)

* www.abilityproduction.org (Molly & Jeremy Hale’s website. Listen to the episode for Molly’s inspiring story)

* aikiextensions.org - the AE website

* peacecampinitiative.org - the PCI website

* Seed Grants: https://www.aikiextensions.org/seed-grants

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AikiExtensions

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aikiextensions

* Budo Accelerator (Josh Gold’s program) - https://www.budoaccelerator.org/about-us

Enjoy!

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