Tag Archives: Martial arts

It’s not a game (unless you treat it that way)

Posted on July 24, 2018 by maenosen

Even if we never use our martial art outside the dojo it doesn’t excuse us from training with intent inside the dojo. Continue reading →

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Handling mistakes

Posted on November 7, 2017 by maenosen

Imagine yourself performing a technique. It can be a solo kata, or it can be paired exercise where you are attempting to throw someone or put a lock on them. But you make a mistake. You fluff the technique and … Continue reading →

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Stalled and stumbling

Posted on July 21, 2017 by maenosen

So I’ve hit that point which, without doubt, I will encounter over and over again on my journey through learning aikido and jiu jitsu.  At this moment in time “that point” is occurring in aikido.  Experienced martial artists will nod … Continue reading →

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Breaking a kata into steps

Posted on May 16, 2017 by maenosen

Sometimes we get so focused on the whole form of a kata or throwing technique that we forget the importance of being precise in the elements that make it up. Continue reading →

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International Women’s Day

Posted on March 8, 2017 by maenosen

A very quickly written post.  Today is International Women’s Day.  The Internal Aikdio Federation is using it to promote and encourage woman in aikido – #AikidoWomen. I strongly feel that any traditional martial art is beneficial for women (I know … Continue reading →

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Leave the ego at the door

Posted on February 28, 2017 by maenosen

Ego – def. a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance. Saying someone has a large ego or a super-ego is generally meant as an insult yet arguably we need some ego in order to keep functioning in daily life.  Lack … Continue reading →

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Practise, practise, practise

Posted on December 31, 2016 by maenosen

An interesting article on the benefits of practising iaido alone. Continue reading →

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Martial arts, druids and everyday life

Posted on December 27, 2016 by maenosen

What does modern day druidry and martial arts have in common? More than you think. Continue reading →

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Child protection

Posted on December 13, 2016 by maenosen

The UK has recently been made aware of historic child sex abuse in football, but sadly it would seem that football is not the only sport where this has happened.  While we have currently legal measures in place to vet … Continue reading →

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When is a retreat not a retreat?

Posted on December 6, 2016 by maenosen

Even on the defence you can be launching an attack Continue reading →

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When can I be scary?

Posted on December 1, 2016 by maenosen

Two new people joined our iaido school last month, which means I am no longer the very bottom of the class. Which also means when we line up at the start and end of the class I need to be … Continue reading →

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When nothing stops you

Posted on October 6, 2016 by maenosen

I have a neighbour, let’s call him Alun, who loves road cycling.  He rarely takes part in any competitive cycling but everyday he is out on his bike cycling the roads of the UK.  And I mean every single day.  … Continue reading →

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Cross-dressing in kenjutsu

Posted on September 8, 2016 by maenosen

Alternative title: the problem with wearing martial arts clothes designed for men when you are a woman. A consequence of my persistent back injury has been a pause in my jiu-jitsu training, a slow down in my aikido training, and … Continue reading →

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Adaptability

Posted on March 24, 2016 by maenosen

I have been thinking a great deal about adaptability in martial arts of late.  Every modern martial art has evolved over the years, no style has remained static.  Of the martial arts I practise it is a requirement for the … Continue reading →

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Knees must

Posted on December 31, 2015 by maenosen

I have one very simple New Years resolution for 2016.  I will bend my knees more when doing blocks and throws!  And then bend them more.  If nothing else I want to her constructive criticism beyond the, “you can bend … Continue reading →

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