HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Please take a minute about those who have sacrificed their lives, especially on the battlefield, for us.

Have a safe Holiday today.

Practice Today!

Today's Schedule:

5:15-6:15am Beginning Aikido. William Allen

6:30-7:30am Aikido. Furuya Sensei

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July 15-16. Seminar with Hideo Yonemochi Shihan, 8th Dan,

Aikikai Hombu Dojo.

July 15. Welcome Party for Yonemochi Sensei and Book Signing for LA Lofts.

Sacred Time & Space:

In ancient times, the dojo was considered as sacred space and time. What this means is not that it was a religion but it meant that the dojo was a place where one practiced and trained to develop his body, mind and spirit. Because of this, there was no drama politics as we see so much of today. I think today, it is only a "work-out" space or gym. . . . and has no significance of "cultivating" the body and spirit.

Originally, is ancient China, the dojo was a sacred place where tortoise and deer bones were burned - and from the cracks which appeared, the "Will of Heaven" was divined and through these message "from Heaven" the Emperor of China decided on every policy.

It was said that when Emperor lost the "will" or "mandate" of Heaven, he was overthrown and a new dynasty was to take over. It is from the dojo, that one studied the heavens whic governed earthly matters.

In Japan, we used the term "dojo" to mean a place such divine ceremonies or rites took place and later it came to mean a "place of training" as training was considered "sacred."

In the dojo, we watched our behavior, developed our minds and spirits and trained the body.

Today, as we think of it only as a work-out space, we bring in all of our mental baggage and drama and this "spoils" the practice.

We must treat the dojo with a kind of respect as our place of training and "communicating" with O'Sensei in a way and getting in touch with Aikido. . . . . Can you appreciate this?