Elkhorn Dojo

04/22/2026

Plum blossoms are the first to bloom in the spring, so they represent courage. This year's blossoms were placed in a vase given to me over 20 years ago by a student, Gary Spinney. His aiki practice changed his life.

03/14/2026

this is an excerpt from Daniel Bacon's nikyu test essay:

"The Practical Sense of Zanshin
There is a very old Japanese saying that exemplifies this: 'When the battle is over, tighten the chin strap.' this relates to the time after battle when one would naturally want to relax (let down one's guard-ed.)--meaning that the danger may not be over, that we must keep a continuous alertness. It should be second nature to the martial artist."

01/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/174zR2aiPN/

the goal of Tengu Ryu is non-reactiveness. this does not mean we that we do not respond quickly. it means we maintain a mental and emotional calmness that allows a pure response.

Fudōshin (不動心) means “the immovable mind.” It describes a mental state that remains calm, clear, and unwavering regardless of pressure, fear, or sudden change. In budō, fudōshin is not emotional hardness or rigidity, but stability rooted in awareness. The mind does not cling to anger, anticipation, or hesitation; it responds naturally to what arises. When surprised, attacked, or challenged, one does not freeze or rush, but stays centered. Cultivated through repeated training, breathing, and correct posture, fudōshin allows technique to emerge without conscious interference, expressing calm strength, adaptability, and presence in both martial practice and daily life.

#不動心 #武道 #合気道 #武道精神 #心の鍛錬 #精神修養 #禅と武道 #平常心 #集中力 #稽古 #道場 #心身一如 #日本文化 #修行

01/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1178923461119622&set=a.343802111298432

Shu–Ha–Ri (守破離) is a traditional Japanese learning framework that describes the natural evolution of mastery in martial arts, arts, and even life practice. It is not a rigid ladder but a living process, guiding the student from imitation to innovation.

Shu (守) — To Protect / Obey
Shu is the stage of faithful learning. The student follows the teacher’s forms, techniques, etiquette, and rhythms exactly as taught. There is no attempt to alter or personalize the art. This is not blind obedience, but deep respect: by repeating correct forms, the body absorbs structure, timing, posture, and spirit. In martial arts, Shu builds safety, discipline, and humility. The ego is quiet, and trust in the lineage is essential. Foundations are laid here, and skipping Shu weakens everything that follows.

Ha (破) — To Break / Detach
Ha begins when the student starts to understand why things work. The forms are no longer copied mechanically; they are tested, compared, and adapted. The practitioner may study other schools, feel variations, and adjust techniques according to context, body type, or situation. This “breaking” does not mean rejecting tradition, but freeing oneself from rigid dependence on it. Mistakes increase, but insight deepens. Ha is a phase of questioning, refinement, and conscious choice.

Ri (離) — To Separate / Transcend
Ri is the stage of natural expression. Technique flows without conscious effort, and form arises spontaneously from principle. The practitioner is no longer bound by styles, yet fully embodies them. Teaching becomes transmission rather than instruction. In Ri, the art is no longer something you do—it is something you are.

Shu–Ha–Ri reminds us that true mastery is a journey from form, through understanding, into freedom.

concepts #守破離 #武道 #武道家 #道場 #師範 #先生 #学び #武道コミュニティ #武術 #武術トレーニング #武道家 #合気道家 #合気道 #道場スクロール #漢字 #座禅 #禅の概念

12/27/2025

we are not the only ones practicing Kaeshi giri. Look at the second phase, using suri age in a continuous practice.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2367341167042934

12/11/2025

in tengu ryu we move the opponent's sword to the side to create an opening, but we have not explored this type of technique the takes the opponent's sword to the other side by wrapping around the blade. This movement can add a lot of power, sending the sword farther to the side and allowing room and time to enter.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/731112432806787

12/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/reel/818396961098469

this is an interesting practice of dominating the line and filling the void. the only thing I don't like is the initial response coming from the side of the head (not on the line).

12/10/2025

this is very similar to our nagashi kesa, but here we see 3 differences that make a difference: #1 edge-to-edge impact, #2 a horizontal blocking blade, and #3 the back leg seems to remain on the line. We would roll the blocking blade back to avoid locking edges, keep the blocking blades tip down to allow the attack to shed, and move both feet off the line. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1368110531617000

10/25/2025

while the shinai used in the sport of kendo is extremely light, making many of their techniques impossibly quick for a bokken or ken, here we see a teacher demonstrating something very similar to out kiri otoshi

https://www.facebook.com/reel/629142193193762

10/12/2025

“Embracing the contents of consciousness in any moment is a very powerful way of training yourself to repond differently to adversity. However, it is important to distinguish between accepting unpleasant sensations and emotions as a strategy—while covertly hoping they will go away—and truly accepting them as transitory appearances in consciousness.”
—Sam Harris (Waking Up)

10/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1302179107633863

these techniques of drawing and cutting are appropriate to use when your opponent reached for his sword. easy with a bokken but very difficult to master while drawing a blade out of a sheath.