Whats in a Name

I was recently asked to respond to what my Dharma name means to me.
Li Rui 莅銳
My

name which is translated as he who remains present ,with a keen mind. My sister in law who incidentally is from Tiawan, tells me it is a good name for a masculine child.
I know that Li Rui was a famous 19th century Chinese mathematician and astronomer who made notable contributions to the revival of traditional Chinese mathematics and astronomy and to the development of the theory of equations. Another Famous Li Rui was Mao's personal secretary during the Great Helmsman's most murderous period in power. Who Later called for Democracy in China as a way to modernize.

To me it is a reminder of the tradition and the opportunity and responsibility afforded me by Shi Yong Xaing , and by extension Reverend Soyu Matsuoka , Shi Mo Hua, and Venerable Shi Shen Long.
My Name is something I hold as close as my Robes, maybe more because I didn't earn it,
it was given; kinda of like a rank you grow into.
More like an entrance exam rather than a final

Snow and rain in Oz

I'm drinking an organic espresso with oat milk ,what's in your cup?
Today is raining and somewhat cold here in Kansas and the search for new dojo continues. I have a few places in mind and I am negotiating for the best deal and location  Classes will continue regardless and I will keep you posted.
See you on the mat!!!

What we Teach at North Lawrence Ki Aikido

What happens on the mat must carry out of the Dojo and into the world .

I wish to teach my students how to

Conceive, plan, gather support for, and execute projects, small and/or large, where they took the things we practiced on the mat (respect, courage, tenacity, etc.) and put them to work in the community to the benefit of other people and/or things (that matter). When a student graduated from one of my intermediate or advanced training programs, they would have a portfolio of projects reflecting values and mentoring far and above what I knew how to execute then.

Understand and use the tools of anger management, so that anger (towards self and/or others) played as little a (destructive) role as possible in their lives. As now I understand what anger really is, most of the time: Fear and of a destructive and unhealthy point of view.

Recognize the power of diet and food consciousness / awareness in their lives. In that food or things that pass as food might be the most important self-defense and health issue in their lives, I would have spent no small amount of energy helping them learn about food and the factor it plays not only in the individual, but in how the production of it, how it's produced, plays a role in the health of a community --and beyond.

Journal, in writing, photography, and/or video, as an exercise, a practice, in looking deeply at the what, why, how, and who of their lives. Had I known how fleeting the time was, how many people they liked and loved that would go away, and how difficult it can be to put the training and learning into a useful perspective, I would have made journaling as important as anything else I taught.

How to recognize and understand the manipulation of the popular media with regards to self-worth, body image, and values. I would have helped my students defend themselves from the unhealthy depiction of "what is beauty," and "what is it to be a real man," and "what cultivates happiness," and any number of subjects that reflect unrealistic ideals meant to sell products and/or enforce unhealthy stereotypes.

Non-violent conflict resolution; yes, I would have guided them to become as proficient at the skills of negotiation and conflict resolution, without resorting to any sort of verbal, emotional, or physical violence, as I was capable.

It's a longer list than this --but the point is, of course, today I could teach a far, far better form of martial arts --that not only developed world class athletes and practitioners, but that also prepared these kids, if at all possible, for a kind of thinking and social participation that would reap as many (or more) rewards than the joy of being highly skilled technicians of the martial arts.

There was a time when I thought that teaching all the physical skills of the martial arts was, you know, "the way." That was not an accurate understanding of the potential of the role of the martial arts citizen-teacher.

Living on you own terms...

It's not what happens to you that's important , it's what you choose to believe about 'what that happening is.' 

Your your choices shape your reality and the story is who you become.  If you truly wish to live by your own measure then you have to change the narrative. Your thoughts and words are a result of the meanings you have been programmed to believe. In aikido we talk about how the mind leads the body, I am beginning to believe that the mind creates the body. Our thoughts can change our very DNA and sequence the traits we physically become.

Sunrise on the Kaw

Kaw River Levee

.Waking up each morning to walk along the river, to breathe deeply, a walking meditation.  This communion with nature recharges me and sets the tone for the day. I work with emotionally charged and challenged clients, this enables me to stay grounded and to act consciously aware of my feelings and prevents me from defaulting to a reactive mindset. 

Fall Sword Haiku

I cut once in fall 

problems require action

use of the sword.

Sunrise reflections

Walking along the river in the morning is a great opportunity to reflect and to prepare for the upcoming day. I am so very fortunate to live in such an amazing place and to have the love and support of family and friends . I am still teaching in Lenexa and looking at other training possibilities. I look forward to Next year and hope to expand teaching opportunities. I am looking to add more sword and bokken classes,along with basic and advanced self defense classes. I think we can offer a kiatsu and breathing class if enough interest along with meditation and stretching classes. 

Back to the beginning

We have moved back to Lawrence, KS
This is where I stated in Aikido over 20 years ago.
I will continue teaching in Lenexa on Fridays at Welcome Mat Dojo . I am amazed at how many things have changed and yet , feels very familiar and comfortable. See you on the mat !!!

My Story

It's not what happens to you that's important , it's what you choose to believe about 'what that happening is.' 

Your your choices shape your reality and the story is who you become.  If you truly wish to live by your own measure then you have to change the narrative. Your thoughts and words are a result of the meanings you have been programmed to believe. In aikido we talk about how the mind leads the body, I am beginning to believe that the mind creates the body. Our thoughts can change our very DNA and sequence the traits we physically become.

Rainy Tuesday in Oz !!!

I'm drinking an organic Sumatra with Guatemala and Ethiopian beans what's in your cup?  Today is raining and somewhat cold here in Kansas and the search for new dojo continues. I have a few places in mind and I am negotiating for the best deal and location  Classes will continue regardless and I will keep you posted.
See you on the mat

Basic Self Defense

Possible defense with cane or walking stick.
These are only possible outcomes and I recommend you find a qualified teacher.
I post these only as entertainment and as possible techniques, I improvised these as a spontaneous response to a attack. I don't teach cane defense but the principles of aikido can be applied across may weapons or systems of defense.

Weapons camp in Michigan

Basic 8 Kyudo Style

Ki Training

What is Self Defense

I had a gentleman come in to the dojo yesterday for a private lesson on self-defense. I interviewed him first to see what exactly he was looking for and what his character was like etc…

It became apparent that what he needed was a shift in thinking. To escape and evade is the primary focus of self- defense not to subdue or to pay back the insult with injury. He asked me several times what would you do in this situation, I explained I would parry the attack and leave to escape the situation. He was puzzled by this, the client asked me again wouldn’t that make you weak? or how could your ego allow you to not answer back when confronted.  I again explained that as soon as the immediate threat was neutralized I cannot engage someone with becoming the aggressor and facing possible charges and jail time myself.

I offered to show him some basic drills and footwork to increase his balance and reaction times, after a ½ hour I thanked him for coming in and again explained I don’t teach people how to fight I teach them how to escape and avoid dangerous situations this is a far more valuable skill. The gentleman thanked me and signed up for 2 months of private instruction.

I changed his mind and shifted the paradigm of what is self-defense and what is just being another aggressive person in a volatile situation.

Self-Defense

Self-Defense is Found in the Simple Things

We teach self-defense --and self-defense is found in the simplest of things. Kindness, for example; kindness is a beautiful form of self-defense. Good food --and the appreciation of it; there’s a fine, fine kind of self-defense. Oh, and how about love of community? Participation in --and love for --one’s community is a kind of self-defense that’s impossible to put a value on. And my favorite kind of self-defense is found in a simple rule, The Golden Rule:

Treat others as you would want them to treat you.

Simply perfect.

We like Tom Callos’ (www.tomcallos.com) description of self-defense too: “Self-defense isn’t only about personal protection, it’s about taking care of the people around you and the place you live as well.”

And of course, self-defense training is all you already imagined it to be, but with this particular attitude about it, self-defense becomes about living a good life. What a great idea.

For information about our school and self-defense lessons for today’s world, contact us here. contact@olathekiaikido.com

Self Defense for the New Year call for free class.

www.olathekiaikido.com

Tips for those working in the service industry.

I have been asked to teach a self defense class for massage therapists, this weekend.
I thought about this and I came up with a list of basic info I feel is important to understand.

1. Don't advertise in Craigslist or another alternative media source like the Pitch etc...
2. Never meet a client in a hotel, Motel, Rv park, Koa, or any other unprofessional environment.
3. Do not meet a new client in an unsecured environment. Just because a current client recommends them, dose not mean it is ok to break this rule.
4. Have a plan, this is especially important when meeting some one on their turf.
5. Let someone know when you are meeting the client and what time it is over, have them call before and after the scheduled appointment.
6. Have a cell phone and a whistle and I recommend a surefire flashlight on you at all times.
7. Do not have a drink this is not covered and in your possession at all times, do not accept any food or beverage from a client.
8. Be aware of your surroundings and look for exits and possible weapons, both improvised and environmental.

9. Eat right, get plenty of sleep and exercise, you have to be fit to run or fight. Take a self defense class with a friend.
10. If you feel something is not right listen to your gut, leave immediately. You are providing a luxury service not a medical procedure. No one is going to die if the don't get a massage, but you might if your gut is right and you ignore it. 

I will expand on these in another post, I look forward to the opportunity to create this class, I will keep you posted to its progress.

Member of the 100

Obvious and Not-So-Obvious Benefits of Taking Martial Arts Lessons

Obvious and Not-So-Obvious Benefits of Taking Martial Arts Lessons

There are some obvious benefits that young and old alike garner from studying the martial arts. The first one is in the exercise involved. Exercise, if it’s tailored for the age and ability of the participant, is good for the body, the mind, and, yes, often good for the spirit too.

A not-so-obvious benefit of studying the martial arts is the often unspoken requirement to “be present” in the practice. “When you’re dealing with kicks, punches, and arm-bars,” says veteran martial arts teacher Tom Callos of Hilo, Hawaii, “you simply have to stay ‘in the moment’ to keep from getting socked in the nose. Awareness of what I call, ‘The here and now,” is something you can instantly take off of the mat and put to work in your everyday life.”

With exercise and mindfulness comes a third component that is not a benefit you’ll find in every martial arts school, but it’s something we are deeply involved with. It’s about food and its connection to fitness and health. The Diet Chronicles is a project where a group of martial arts teachers are starting to document, on video, what they eat and how it’s prepared –in an effort to eat more mindfully.

Some of the video journals are being posted to an on-line community based around the book Savor (www.SavorTheBook.com). Savor is co-written by Harvard nutritionist Dr. Lilian Cheung and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

To see one of the Diet Chronicle videos, click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3gANPh_RvY

“What we consume is as important and relevant to self-defense in today’s world,” says Callos, “as any kind of martial arts technique.”

For more information on using the martial arts to improve the body, mind, and diet, contact William Perkins, Olathe ki aikido, at contact@olathekiaikido.com or 913-738-4484.