Throughout my years of practice and development in Aikido I came to realize that effective practice is a result of cultivating three levels of awareness that constantly interact and relate to each other.

During “Bushido Aikidojo” classes I strive to educate my students to be aware and put focus on these three levels:

1. Awareness of our body: This is the most fundamental level of knowing our body’s nature, and how to use it naturally and accordingly to Aikido principles (Ki or Qi, breathing, posture, etc.). When we truly unite with our body we feel lighter, peaceful, flexible, powerful, and coordinated. The other levels simply depend on this basic level and will never be truly mastered without first mastering this basic connection. This, for most of us, may take a long time to achieve, by constantly unraveling old destructive habits that we unconsciously have developed throughout life, but when eventually, through sincere practice, we can be aware of our body and move on to the next level.

Cultivating this level depends on many points to focus on, such as Learning “Ki” energy principles, avoiding stressing the limbs and only moving mainly the Torso (hips); supporting and originating all movement from our back, breathing calmly and deeply; exhaling when executing an effort (avoiding locking one Diaphragm), maintaining proper posture and projecting forward momentum, resting shoulders on our upper back (Scapula), toes pointed slightly forward, and more.

2. Awareness of our partner: When we stop struggling with ourselves, our cognitive mind, the technique, etc. then we can start to be aware of our partner for practice, their unique moves, and dynamics, and their mental state and intentions. This allows us to never assume anything for granted and be able to adapt our technique to any unique situation. This way true dynamic and adaptive harmony can be achieved, and practice is effective, safe, and enjoyable. When cultivating this level, focus on Avoiding taking techniques for granted and adopting their mechanics to the unique dynamics of our partner, learning how to SENSE our partner’s movement, originating from their center of gravity (“TANDEN”), maintaining a non-struggling peaceful mind during practice and maintaining our center balanced, and- NEVER limit our focus on a specific point (like the partner’s hand, sword or any other point). Focus on the “whole” partner.

3. Awareness of our environment: The final and most impressive level of harmony is with the universe, or, with the environment surrounding us, so we are extending and adopting our senses to everything around us, sensing any possible obstacles that may interfere with our safe control. It could be any other associated foe/practice partner, any obstacle in the way of the performed technique, etc. So our focus is never limited to whatever or whoever is in front of us directly… Focus on the “whole” situation. I’d like to name this level “environmental awareness”!

Learning this 3-level awareness, originating from one’s breathing habits and mental states, and extending towards harmony with the outer world, is the true essence of developing through AIKIDO!