Articles

2008 Aikido Bridge Commentary

By Todd D. Jones, American Butokukan

Again this year, I find myself returning home from the Bridge Seminar completely reenergized and invigorated. This event, like the AikiExpos and the AikiCruises, delivers: it's that plain and simple. If you haven't attended, you're depriving yourself of experiences, perspectives, and connections that extend far beyond the event itself. Life is short; so we don't get enough chances to spend time with people that matter, people who sometimes become extended family… unless we take charge, take control, of our own destinies. Events like these are few and far between, and, when they do occur, they present a wonderful opportunity to deepen and expand meaningful relationships with likeminded individuals. The investment is well worth it.

At six classes per day, for those who are budget conscious (or just have too much energy), the quality of instruction is both diverse and fantastic. Few in the world are as powerful and dynamic as Tissier Shihan. No one in my rather broad experience is as subtly powerful and technically enigmatic as Ikeda Shihan. Doran Shihan is sublime elegance incarnate. Murashige Shihan's demure presentation deceptively conceals his relaxed power. And those are just the headliners; the “second-tier” teachers were all first rate, too! But for the AikiExpos, there has never been a venue that provided such diversity of legitimate Aikido. Observing and exploring the contrasting styles presented by the various teachers provided each of us who attended with new perspectives on our own personal practices and directions.

The Aikido Bridge seminars have allowed me to stay in touch with old friends and to make new ones. Takahashi Sensei and I met at the AikiExpo. We have become fast friends; I value his counsel highly, and we spend much of our time together at the Aikido Bridge seminars. Wilco Vriesman, leader of the Dutch Aikikai, has also become a wonderful ally and confidant. This year, I spent a good deal of time on the tatami with Bob Leichner Sensei, a superbly talented adept from Doran Shihan's dojo, whom I met at Honbu dojo a few years ago. This recitation could go on for pages and pages; the list is just too long. Suffice it to say that, because of events like this, my life, and my Aikido experience, have both been dramatically enhanced. Yours could be too.

Ikeda Shihan's aspiration that we should all be supportive of, and cooperative with, one another is at the philosophical heart of the Founder's imperative. And that is why I will continue to support the effort. Please join me the next time we have an opportunity to attend a Bridge Seminar