Mindfulness is the act of observing and accepting things just as they are, be it our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, or the world around us. But why be mindful? 

 

The more mindful we are, the more positive emotions we tend to experience. Recently, while I was looking for ways to add a new mindfulness practice into my life, I came across the unique art of Aikido. That’s how I met today’s guest, Greg O’Connor. 

 

At 67 years young, he’s an internationally respected Aikido teacher and author who has devoted his energy into the practice for more than thirty years. In today’s episode, Greg talks about the power of new learning experiences in addition to engaging your mind, body and spirit. 

 

We discussed:

 

• Why Greg left his former career behind (even though he was doing work he loved)
  
  
• What he said to me when I questioned if I could really learn martial arts at age 67
  
  
• How the philosophy of Aikido is very different than other martial arts training
  
  
• The importance of maintaining and improving our balance as we age 
  
  
• Why learning a new activity that engages both the mind and the body matters

 

Links

Aikido Centers 

Greg O'Connor on YouTube