Ep. 200: When is a Martial Art Too Specialized? - with Matt Stait

Explore the differences, advantages and limitations, in your aikido when training in street clothes and shoes. There are some fun and interesting things to appreciate.For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

Aikido is viewed as an elegant and beautiful martial art. Are these traits beneficial to the art itself or do they get in the way of aikido's effectiveness?For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

Is combatives training useful, or the best approach for self-defense training?For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

Growth is about change and evolution. How does our training evolve as we grow? How can we improve ourselves, our skills, and our understanding?This episode takes a look at the influences of changes and growth in the training and learning.For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

All martial artists progress, but only some progress to the point where they internalize what they learn to achieve a high degree of prowess.How do you you do it? This podcast talks about why, when, and how should you do it.For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

Our discussion covers many reasons why martial arts become too specialized, sometimes to their detriment. How do we spot it and what can we do to make sure our art doesn't become impractical or irrelevant.For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

An in depth conversation with a long time aikido instructor who trained under some of O'sensei's primary students. We talk about how aikido and training has changed over the long span of time and under different influences.For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

It is widely acknowledged that strikes (atemi) are a crucial aspect of aikido, based on quotes from Morehei Ueshiba and other shihan.Are we looking at striking comprehensively in our aikido training? This podcast gives you some perspectives to consider when it comes to striking and how it applies to aikido.For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

The weapons of aikido (tanto, bokken, and jo) seem integral to aikido, but is that true and does how these are trained benefit or detract from aikido's image and reputation? This podcast goes in depth with many points to examine and think about for how you think about weapons training.For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG

We cover a variety of topics about aikido and its future, including suggestions from members of the Aikido: the Martial Side forum.For more information about Spirit Aikido Online:http://spiritaikido.com/spiritaikidoonlinePaypal tipjar:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B6AX94H6N4HBG