Aikido in America by John Stone & Ron Meyer

Aikido Book
by John Stone
and Ron Meyer
Collection of interviews
Great read

Aikido in America Description

Aikido in America is made up of first person narratives from a number of senior American Aikido practitioners. These are in-depth interviews which the subjects have participated in rewriting, and they give the broad scope of aikido. These interviews with two generations of American martial artists describe how aikido translated from Japan into an American art--integrating some American values, yet remaining an essentially Japanese cultural tradition.

The book is as much a history of Aikido in the United States as it is a philosophical treatise that is tongue-in-cheek at appropriate junctures. It is a nice contrast to the technical manuals out there, and it should appeal to the seasoned practitioner and beginner alike.

'On the Back' of Aikido in America

These interviews with two generations of American martial artists describe how aikido translated from Japan in to 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 thirteen 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 insight into aikido's moral and spiritual foundations. "Teachers" focuses on three senior instructors who have disseminated different styles of aikido. "Innovators" include 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 a 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; no can we say that we ar egoign to make it very American. - Frank Doran

Even in aikido you see people fighting and competing. You see that on an aikido mat just a much as you would in judo, and judo is an organized competition. It comes form the feeling of separation. To end that separation someone much 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'd where the healing can take place. - Danielle Evans

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

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