John Stone (3)

I used this a textbook in an Aikido Class in college. Excellent supplement to the study of a fascinating art. I recommend for any serious practitioner of this art.

from cover

These interviews with two generations of American martial artists describe how aiido translated from Japan into an American art-integrating some American values, yet remaining an essentially Japanese cultural tradition.

In addition, they reveal how aikido dramatically changed the lives of these thriteen women and men who rank among the most prominent aikidoists in the United States. 'Disciples' features four individuals who trained in Japan with Founder Morihei Ueshiba, gaining show more insight into aikido's moral and spiritual foundations. 'Teachers' focuses on three senior insturctors who have disseminated diferent styles of aikido. 'Innovators' includes martial artists whose practice and teaching integrate aikido with meditation, bodywork, conflict resolution, counseling, and philosophy-bringing centeredness and nonviolence 'off the mat.'

Aikido in America is personal, probing, and moving description of the power of this singular martial art, this 'way of harmony.'

From the book:

The important thing is to get through all the cultural stuff and see that aikido, per se, as developed by O-Sensei, is something for human consciousness. Human consciousness is not owned by the Japanese; nor can we say that we are goiing to make it very American--Frank Doran

Even in aikido you see people fighting and competing. You see that on an aikido mat just as much as much as yoiu would in judo, and judo is an organized competition. It comes from that feeling of separation. To end that separation someone must realize, 'Okay, even though this person is feeling that way, I can still move in a caring way.' That's not the way we grow up, but that's where the healing can take place.--Danielle Evans

John Stone holds a fifth-degree plack belt and is chief instructor at Aikido of Madison, Wisconsin. Also a black belt, Ron Meyer directs a film production and distribution company in Boulder, Colorado.

Contents

Preface
Introduction
The Disciples
1 Terry Dobson
2 Robert Nadeau
3 Robert Frager
4 Mary Heiny
The Teachers
5 Frank Doran
6 Rod Kobayashi
7 George Simcox
The Innovators
8 Tom Crum
9 George Leonard
10 Richard Heckler
11 Wendy Palmer
12 Danielle Evans
13 Koichi Barrish
Epilogue
How to Contact the People Featured in this Book
Suggested Reading LIst
Glossary show less

American practitioners share stories and describe their experience of learning and teaching aikido.