Up until now, I’ve tried to either write some decent pieces of work or find related stories or blogs that might bring some value to the readers and post those instead. I have avoided writing about local stuff because I see the blog as being bigger than our region. But, I also see some benefit in writing about some of our daily experiences since we are always referring to the principles of Aikido being utilized in daily life.

My most recent opportunity involves another local Aikido dojo here in Grand Rapids. I wont post any names because they aren’t important. What is important are the scenarios encountered over the years and how they have been handled, what we learn along the way, the questions we can ask ourselves later, and the opportunities to really practice the Aikido we promote to our students. The ultimate question will be : Are we applying the Aikido principles we teach others, to our own issues and conflicts, or is it all just lip service?  I will also attempt to reconstruct a brief history of Aikido in Grand Rapids from my vantage as I go along.

As the owner of a martial arts school teaching the principles and techniques of Aikido, which, by the way, involve ‘resolution of conflict’ as a primary motivating factor in ones training in the art, I do my best to live by the principles that I express on the mat. That is, of course, based only on my personal understanding of the greater message of training in Aikido, which I believe is predicated on one having at least a cursory understanding of the concept of “harmony”, or at least some idea of “harmonious interaction”, even in the midst of a conflict.

I haven’t always been that way and there are many things in the past that I would like to have the opportunity to re-do, however, without the benefit of a time machine, all one can do is move forward, possibly right some wrongs, and continue to move closer to being the change one seeks in the world.

Over the past several years, I have had the opportunity to experience a whole bunch of dojo related, non-physical conflicts first hand due primarily to a uchi deshi program that has been running at the Toyoda Center since its opening in 2002. With 3 men and 1 woman participating in a somewhat intensive Aikido instructor training and leadership program, there were bound to be some conflicts between individuals. I got to be part of many an issue between them. My stance was almost always one of , “work it out using the principles Aikido” and “the dojo is just a microcosm of the real world, so resolve it as you would in the real world”.

Aikido in Grand Rapids today is offered by 3 different schools: my dojo the Toyoda Center, the school that I first started Aikido at back in 1990, and the one run by one of my former uchideshi. Check back again soon to hear more about how Aikido has evolved in Grand Rapids over the past 20 years.

Fumio Toyoda Sensei, A Memorial Tribute, Conclusion
Written by Gaku Homma

After his recovery, his actions became his testimony for his newfound dedication to life, his newfound enlightenment. He continued to build his organization Aikido Association of America with a passion and single-minded mission and purpose. Some who were not aware of his medical condition and history might even have considered him pushy or overly aggressive. Some publications fell into this category. Several times he even approached me to join his organization but I had seen too many politics in my lifetime and wanted to remain independent. In a gesture of affability, I allowed him take over affiliation of a few of my branch dojos closer to his headquarters in Chicago.

Though his efforts and perseverance, Toyoda Sensei built the Aikido Association of America into an international organization. Like a great artist that wants to paint the one great painting before his time is gone, I believe he felt that whatever time he had left, he wanted to dedicate to Aikido and his Aikido Association of America.

With his organization headquarters in Chicago, Toyoda Sensei weathered competition from the organizations of Koichi Tohei Sensei, Akira Tohei Sensei, and earlier, Mitsugu Saotome Sensei (a former Aikikai shihan later Founder of the Aikido School of Ueshiba). Earlier at Hombu dojo, I remember Toyoda Sensei and Saotome Sensei having very serious differences resulting on more than one occasion in fisticuffs. One occasion I remember involved the two of them in a physical “disagreement” on the eve of the Founder’s wake. But this is another story, for another time. Being the youngest of the Japanese instructors in this group in Chicago, Toyoda Sensei struggled with the burden of the loyalties he felt for his peers, his sempai (aikido student, senior in rank at the same dojo) and the Sensei he had practiced under. In front of him was Akira Tohei Sensei behind him was Mitsugu Saotome Sensei. Under what I can imagine was a great weight, Toyoda Sensei still managed to build his own international organization.

When Toyoda Sensei first came to the United States, I think the last thing on his mind was building his own organization. He came as an innocent, young martial artist who worked tirelessly and loyally for what he believed. Falling victim to leaders who did not appreciate his efforts, he was forced to sever relationships for his own survival. I can completely understand his feeling of not being able to go backwards, of feeling he had to forge ahead on his own. Later on I can remember him telling me that one-day he would build a large organization and return to Hombu (Aikikai Headquarters). Even though his organization had been formally accepted back into the Aikikai, when Toyoda Sensei attended the funeral services for the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and the inauguration of the present Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, he had to keep a low profile due to his previous departure from the Hombu Dojo many years earlier. Such is the nature of Japanese society.

The last message I received from him was last fall. It was delivered by one of my students who had been visiting his area. He said “Tell him hello please, I haven’t seen him in a long time”.

In America, Toyoda Sensei was one of the few Japanese Aikido instructors to have gone through such extensive Aikido training and practice in Japan. He has left a big footmark on the history of Aikido in the United States. I wish I could have listened more about his opinions on life and Aikido. My memories of him are from our youth together at Hombu dojo. I remember our days of practice, of drinking together, of talking long into the night in his 5 x 10 apartment above the vegetable store. I remember a scuffle with him in front of Hombu dojo that got us in big trouble with Doshu Kisshomaru.

He lived on the edge between life and death. He walked and he chose life. His dream is now spread all over the world through the Aikido Association of America. His strong spirit cannot compare to those who just talk about dreams. He won, he achieved his goal so then he could pass away. He has taught those of us who practice Aikido the lesson of never giving up by example. Never giving up, is stronger than who wins and who looses. His life story is proof of this. Even though his body is now gone, his message and his strong spirit will live on in our hearts.

The last thing I wish to convey is to his students.

Keep the dream and philosophy he has left to all of you. Help each other. Now that he is gone, stay on you own path. Don’t be pulled apart in different directions by others; you have had a very good instructor.

To Fumio Toyoda Sensei…Sayonara

Aikido Nippon Kan
Kancho Gaku Homma

Fumio Toyoda Sensei, A Memorial Tribute, Part2
Written by Gaku Homma

With the death of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba in 1969, the smell of smoke was in the air. In 1974 the flames erupted. Toyoda Sensei was caught up in a power struggle amongst those above him in rank and position that would affect the rest of his life.

Before this time, Koichi Tohei Sensei was Aikikai’s chief instructor (shihan bucho). In 1974 Koichi Tohei Sensei broke from Aikikai to form his own organization. Toyoda Sensei was caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, he felt loyalty to his first instructor, Koichi Tohei Sensei. On the other hand he felt loyalty to the Founders organization Aikikai, in whose stead lay ahead a promising future. After much deliberation, Toyoda Sensei chose Koichi Tohei Sensei to follow, and moved to Chicago to begin a new chapter in his life.

The division in Aikikai at this time was having its affects on domestic relationships in the United States Aikido community. As pioneer instructors, Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei, Mitsunari Kanai Sensei, Shuji Maruyama Sensei and Akira Tohei Sensei were a tight community. Except for Kanai Sensei, originally all of them had been students of Koichi Tohei Sensei. In a very strict martial art society atmosphere of loyalty, ranking and affiliation, these instructors were also faced with the same very difficult decisions to make.

In the end, Yamada Sensei, Kanai Sensei, and Akira Tohei Sensei chose to stay with Founder Ueshiba’s Aikikai organization. Shuji Maruyama Sensei who was also born in a town near Toyoda Sensei, ultimately chose Koichi Tohei Sensei who was also his first teacher. Shuji Maruyama Sensei in Philadelphia, along with Toyoda Sensei in Chicago, and Shiohira Sensei in San Fransisco started a new organization under Koichi Tohei Sensei called Ki-No-Ken Kyu Kai.

This was a time of instability and confusion in the United States and many disputes followed. It was a difficult time for both the instructors that remained with Aikikai and those that departed. Accusations were frequent and infighting concerning satellite Dojo affiliation was commonplace. The rifts that in sued have now become a painful part of United States Aikido history that in some ways remain to this day. Toyoda Sensei, with his background experience and skill at organizing dojos at the college level set about the task of aligning dojos across the US to join their new organization; Ki Aikido.

Toyoda Sensei with his bold and creative management style laid the foundation for the American Kino Ken Kyu Kai Organization (Ki Aikido) that we see today in the United States. By the way, the name “Ki Aikido” was created by Shuji Maruyama Sensei from Philadelphia. Before this name was created, Koichi Tohei Sensei’s organization was called Shin Shin Touitsu Aikido.

Toyoda Sensei opened his own Ki Aikido branch dojo; Tenshin Kan, in Chicago. Chicago was also home to Akira Tohei Sensei and his Aikikai affiliated dojo. Both had deep reservations about each other’s loyalties, and the gap between them was one that was never to be breached.

In 1976 while Toyoda Sensei was still seriously involved in Ki Aikido, I met with him in Chicago. Finding him painting in a large empty garage space, he showed me his plans for building out the space as a future dojo with uchideshi quarters etc. That evening he invited me to visit a friend’s apartment, where he was currently sharing space, sleeping on the floor. It puzzled me at the time, that he did not even have a bed to call his own. Dinner that night consisted of cheap instant ramen noodles, which we shared as we talked into the night. That night was the first time I learned that he was ill. He spoke of not having any money, and that he had been surviving on plain rice, topped at times with a salty pickle, pickled seaweed or salty squid. There came a day when he could no longer taste the salt and this concerned him. He was told he needed serious medical attention but had no money or time for this. In fact he said that any money he might come into went into his Dojo and Aikido. This he confided to me as we stared up at the ceiling from the floor of his friend’s apartment where we both slept that night.

In 1980, Toyoda Sensei’s life was again to go through a major change. After spending years dedicating his spirit, his energy and his time to the teacher he had chosen to follow, it was time for a difficult break again. Toyoda Sensei and Maruyama Sensei sent a farewell letter to Koichi Tohei Sensei. I know first hand why they left, but out of respect for those who have passed, I will only say the following. Toyoda Sensei was a front line soldier that left Aikikai and his future to come to a new country in the line of duty to a teacher he held in the highest regard. He had little to eat, no comfortable place to sleep and worked continuously. These efforts were not recognized or understood by the ones he followed.

Maruyama Sensei went on to form his own organization, Kokikai Aikido. Toyoda Sensei left and formed the Aikido Association of America. The efforts of his past, all of the trials and the tribulations had already begun to take their toll on his health.

In instructional videos I have seen featuring Toyoda Sensei, he looks vigorous and healthy, but a bandage is sometimes visible on his arm where transfusions were given. It became apparent that his life was becoming endangered and after a long period of illness, his brother with whom he had a very close relationship with gave him one of his own kidneys. After this surgery, Toyoda Sensei visited me in Denver. He confided that when he was in the hospital he had a spiritual revelation. Before the surgery, all he could feel was incredible gratitude to his brother for giving him this chance. Afterwards, still groggy from the surgery, it took a team of nurses and aides to keep him from leaving his bed to find where his brother lay. When he fully awoke from the surgery he felt as if he had been given a second chance at life, one that he could not miss or waste one minute of. He felt as if he were no longer afraid of anything in life.

Check back soon for part 3…

Fumio Toyoda Sensei, A Memorial Tribute, Part 1
Written by Gaku Homma

A formative figure in the history of Aikido has gone from us to heaven. His life, while short in comparison was not without impact. Especially for the development of Aikido in the United States, Fumio Toyoda Sensei’s life is a very important testimonial to the first generations of pioneer instructors in this country. Fumio Toyoda Sensei is the Founder of the American Aikido Association. Although very active in the United States and worldwide, his activities have not received wide spread coverage by the various Aikido publications.

I have known Fumio Toyoda Sensei personally since young adulthood and have a great deal of respect for his challenges and accomplishments. For this reason, I would like to share with you a profile of the man I have known and the obstacles he overcome in his lifetime.

I first met Toyoda Sensei when I was about seventeen. At that time, he was an uchideshi at Ichiku Kai Misogi dojo. Ichiku Kai Misogi dojo was also a place of misogi training for Koichi Tohei Sensei, who later became the founder of Ki Aikido. On the first floor of the dojo, Shinto misogi training was practice. The second floor of the dojo housed a space for Zen training. Many years later, Toyoda Sensei’s own dojo Tenshin Kan in Chicago, Illinois would house a Zen dojo on the second floor, like the dojo of his youth. The training practiced at Ichiku Kai Misogi dojo was also later incorporated into the Ki Aikido taught by Koichi Tohei Sensei.

Misogi shugyo at the time, consisted of three continuous days of vigorous chanting seated in seiza, (a sitting position on ones knees) spurred on by slaps and yells of senior students. Only short breaks for rest were allowed, making this training exceptionally difficult. This training was held once every month. When the uchideshi were not practicing misogi they were involved in Zen training. The practice was hard and strict, but as a rule, the windows and doors were always open and unlocked. If an uchideshi wished to quit his training and run away, the door was always open. In some ways this temptation made training even more difficult: if the doors had been locked, it would have been easier to resign oneself to not being able to escape.

Toyoda Sensei and Koichi Tohei Sensei were both born in the Tochigi prefecture in the same hometown in Japan. Growing up in the same hometown, Toyoda Sensei practiced Aikido under Koichi Tohei Sensei. After living as an uchideshi at Ichiku kai dojo, Toyoda Sensei enrolled in college. At school, Toyoda Sensei soon became a leader in the University Aikido club. It was not long before Toyoda Sensei became All Japan University Aikido Federation President. He was highly respected by his peers, and was commonly seen surrounded by students in black school uniforms (Gakusei fuku). There were accounts told of a young Toyoda Sensei venturing into downtown Shinjuku in Tokyo to attend a function accompanied by over one hundred students in black! Like something from a movie, so impressive was he that even Yakuza (like Japanese Mafia) bosses would step out of his way. Following a natural progression, after graduating from the university, Toyoda Sensei became an uchideshi at Hombu dojo under second Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba. He took up quarters at Hombu dojo on the 1st floor in the custodian’s quarters. He was the number one hopeful as a future Aikikai shihan (instructor). During this time he was used extensively as primarily uke for Doshu Kisshomaru. He was a role model for his peers and his future seemed guaranteed. In 1974 however… his life was to change forever.

With the death of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba in 1969, the smell of smoke was in the air. In 1974 the flames erupted. Toyoda Sensei was caught up in a power struggle amongst those above him in rank and position that would affect the rest of his life.

Check back soon for part 2…

“The long-term payback of diversion programs is to keep juveniles out of adult courts when they grow up.” ~ Jerry Friend, Juvenile Detention Center

“Anything that keeps youth busy tends to keep them out of trouble.” ~ Candy Clark, Quorum Court

“It’s very progressive of Washington County to put some money behind programs that could just make a difference in a young person’s life,” ~ Candy Clark, Quorum Court

Back in April, we reported that Washington County Juvenile Court and Northwest Arkansas Aikido had paired up to decrease recidivism in Washington County, Arkansas. (Martial Art of Aikido Employed by Juvenile Court to Prevent Recidivism) Here’s a summary of their latest update.

The Northwest Arkansas Times recently reported that numbers in the Juvenile Detention Center have decreased since 2005.  Those who work with the youth, attribute the decrease to “an infusion of diversion programs since that time.”  The diversion programs offered include Aikido, fishing, and Teen Court, among others.

“Since 2005, when we started our programs, the numbers continually go down.’ Jerry Friend said.”

Because of the success of the program, funding for the programs increased by $50,000 this year.

“There was $60,908 budgeted for them last year, and this year, the budget is $116,687. The programs are designed to keep troubled juveniles out of the Juvenile Detention Center and/or juvenile court.”

The Aikido program is overseen by Adam Loomis, an intake officer for Washington County, with the actual classes being taught by the chief instructor of a local dojo (Aikido school).  Aikido’s uniqueness lies in the fact that rather than perfecting offensive moves like punches and kicks, Aikido students work on perfecting techniques that will temporarily immobilize the attacker without causing injury, such as pins and wristlocks.  Its successful execution requires the practitioner to blend his movements with those of the attacker and move together to dissipate the conflict peacefully.  Therefore, it serves as a very valeable metaphor for teens for how to handle various types of conflict in our daily lives.

The Northwest Arkansas Times quotes Loomis:

“The biggest thing that we teach them is that they have options and to see these options. There’s more than one way to handle a situation.’  He said they also learn respect for authority and themselves, as well as accountability…”

“Loomis said there are two things youth need: a taste of success and a passion, whether it is riding motorcycles, fishing or martial arts. He talked about a young man who continues to be involved in Aikido.”

“Loomis said there are two things youth need: a taste of success and a passion, whether it is riding motorcycles, fishing or martial arts. He talked about a young man who continues to be involved in Aikido.”

The report continues by giving an overview of some of the other diversion programs in the county, such as “Principles and Families”, “Teen Court”, “Hooked on Fishing”, “On the Web”, etc.  They conclude with a couple quotes in regards to the overall concept of the diversion programs and their success.

“The more feedback I get, the better that I like that,” Friend said. “It’s an easy way to divert kids, and most of them we never see again.”

Friend said the long-term payback of diversion programs is to keep juveniles out of adult courts when they grow up.

Candy Clark, who is new on the Quorum Court, talked about the diversion approach, and she said that anything that keeps youth busy tends to keep them out of trouble.

“It’s very progressive of Washington County to put some money behind programs that could just make a difference in a young person’s life,” Clark said.”

New Year Resolutions

I’d like to share an original article sent in by Jim Shipperlee:

At the beginning of 2009, literally millions and millions of New Year Resolutions will have been made around the world. However, research has shown that by the end of the year only 12% of these will be achieved.

The reason why 88% of all New Year Resolutions will not be achieved is because they are incorrectly set. Research has shown that if goals are set in the right way, the probability of success increases significantly. According to itcanbe.com, the leading goal community, there are three key steps which will maximize your chances of achieving your resolutions this year.

1. The first step to achieving resolutions is to clearly identify them and put them in writing. The way that you identify and write your goals will affect the likelihood of their success. When writing your goals, consider the following:

• Make your resolution specific. ‘I want to lose weight’ is a general resolution. A general resolution is weak; it does not provide clarity or inspire motivation and, as a result, is unlikely to be achieved – especially to the desired extent. ‘I want to lose 10lbs’ is a specific resolution. A specific resolution gives a definite aim; it brings the target into focus and, as a result of this, is much more likely to succeed.
• Make your resolution realistic. Make it achievable. A resolution which is too ambitious can be de-motivating if you feel that it is out of reach. A resolution which is too easy will also fail to motivate, it will lack challenge. Make your resolution challenging but attainable.
• Give your resolution a deadline. A deadline is the one thing which separates a resolution from a dream. A resolution without a deadline is far less likely to inspire immediate action and, as a result, is unlikely to succeed. By setting a time limit on your resolution you inspire action towards the outcome, you bring it alive.

2. Set a plan. A resolution or goal without a plan is merely a wish. Surprisingly few people set plans, in fact research has shown that only 3% of people who set resolutions have a formal plan of how they are going to achieve it. Given this statistic, it is of little wonder that only 12% of New Year Resolutions will be achieved.

A plan allows the resolution to be broken down into smaller manageable steps. Not only will this provide clarity on how your resolution will be achieved, it will also make it appear more attainable. Start your plan by focusing on the end result and the intended deadline and work backwards to determine what actions need to be performed at what times. From this you can create a plan and ‘to-do’ list which, once followed, will guarantee success.

3. Find other people working towards the same resolution. Research has shown that when people work together with the same objective, not only will their motivation increase but they will be able to share their knowledge and experience which has been proven to vastly speed up attainment of the end result.

Setting effective goals needs a little more thought and time upfront, but your efforts in doing this will be well rewarded. One site which is definitely worth a mention is www.itcanbe.com, a community based goal setting site. This site is a free resource which provides users with tools allowing them to clearly establish their goals and set a detailed plan of working towards them. It will also link users to other people working towards the same goals.

Personal Branding Trends For 2010

Personal branding is not a new concept, but it’s something small business owners and marketers have to pay attention to now and certainly through 2010.  Your brand is your clear differentiator and your competitive advantage.  It’s also the first impression you have with potential customers and the source of attachment you create with your current customers.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen personal branding become more and more important because of the pressure of the economy and through the rise and acceptance of social media technologies for both business and personal use.

With a 10.2% unemployment rate across the U.S., we have to stand out and become more exceptional in what we do.  Aside from competition, business is being shifted into new territory.  Instead of traditional transactions offline, we are starting to use social networks for business more and more.  For instance, Facebook, with 325 million active users, has been turned into a money making empire.  In previous years, the company was laughed at for not having a business model, much like Twitter was earlier this year.  It’s now obvious that readership and engagement amounts to big money.

So without further ado, here are some personal branding trends to watch out for in 2010:

1.  New content models are on the rise

Content, such as the articles you find on Small Business Trends or Anita’s podcasts, is made freely available across the web.  In many instances, this makes a lot of people stop paying for content because they can access free content on any topic they desire.  A recent Forrester report stated that 80% of U.S. consumers won’t pay for online content.  Another survey by BCG showed that for online paid subscriptions, the most people will pay is $3 per month.  What this tells us is that the personal brands of 2010 are going to be built through a different model, based on consumer demand, the endless supply of content and the free distribution systems we all have.  The more people that know about your brand (free content), the better, but since you have to make money, the options are freemium (having some free content and then some paid content), advertising or selling products and services on your site.  News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch has even announced that all of his media properties will be blocked from Google spiders next year.  2010 will be the year of the major content shift, new business models and the fall of many media properties.  You can benefit from this by turning your corporate site into a media property.

2.  The year of building lists

2010 will be the year of small businesses developing and building upon their lists, including email and blog subscribers, Twitter followers, Facebook fans, LinkedIn contacts, etc.  A survey by VerticalResponse, Inc. shows that 74% of small businesses plan to increase email marketing and 68% will increase social media marketing.  More and more small businesses are viewing social media and email as an important way to build lists of people interested in their products and services and then to convert them over time.  We’ll see this more next year because of the competition and the understanding of how these tools can be used to support overall corporate efforts.

3.  A saturated web

Most small businesses have websites, but the world is forcing every single person to have their own website.  A lot of business owners have ignored their own personal brands in the past because they feel that their brand might conflict with their company’s brand.  In 2010 and beyond, everyone in every company (anyone with a pulse) will have a website, typically under theirname.com.  Right now, there are over1.3 billion internet users, with 200 million websites and there will be a 40,000 fold increase in websites in 15 years.  There are incredible disadvantages to ignoring the explosions of websites and blogs, such as lack of online visibility.  Next year, there will be a lot more websites because of this.

4.  Reputation management fatigue

Over the past few years, it’s been a best practice to review online brand mentions using a variety of tools, such as Google.com/alerts, search.twitter.com andbacktype.com.  With more and more consumers making decisions based on what they find online, small business owners are going to have to set time aside every single day (not every week or month) to review comments said about their brands.  According to a survey by the Opinion Research Corporation, 84% of Americans say online reviews influence their purchasing decisions.  In 2010, reviewing comments isn’t going to be good enough.  Brands will be forced to react to brand mentions in order to prevent negative word of mouth.  There will be victims and there will be winners next year.  Those that invest more time protecting their online identities will succeed.

5.  Transparency will rock your world, literally

The truth about you and your company is going to come out next year, whether you like it or not.  Search engines are starting to blend with social networks and status updates are being made visible and accessible just about everywhere on the web.  This poses incredible opportunities but also some threats that you will have to be aware of.  Every single time you publish a tweet, it will appear in Google and other search engines and, with your permission, it can appear on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other places like Brazen Careerist and Ning networks.  This is starting to occur because it’s a revenue stream for social networks and because the “real-time web” makes search engines more relevant to the end user.  When consumers start trashing a brand (such as yours), it might make the first page of your Google search results and damage your brand.  This is something to really pay attention to in 2010.

6.  Brand realization

A lot of people don’t have a deep understanding of what their brand really is.  What’s starting to happen is that your online audience is giving you feedback, without you even realizing it.  For instance, Twitter lists are really personal brand categories.  If someone puts you in a list of influencers under a certain topic such as “personal finance,” then they are giving you a hint about how you’re branded.  People will make categorization decisions based off of two things: your profile and your tweets.  When you’re on a hundred of so lists, then you have great survey data that will show you if you’re branding yourself properly or not.  More brands will start using tools such asmustexist.com to figure out what their brands are and get feedback from their audience if they are doing a good job.

7.  The cream will rise to the top and niches are inevitable

I introduced this post by talking about competition and then went on to explain how the free nature of content destroys barriers to entry and creates an ecosystem of unlimited choices.  Well, the truth is that not everyone will be able to become mega brands.  Those that have the best content next year will float to the top, while everyone else will make less money and have fewer opportunities.  What we’ve already seen is that the first-movers, such as Anita Campbell and Pete Cashmore (of Mashable) have owned their niches.  It will be much harder to compete with big brands, which means next year the focus will be on niches and “hyper-niches.”  People will have to really narrow down their market in order to stand out and succeed.

8.  The value of information will increase substantially

If you aren’t in tune with what’s going on in your industry and with the latest technology developments, you are set to lose out next year.  Have you heard of FourSquare.com?  If not, then you better Google it right now.  Are you reading at least 20 articles or blog posts each day?  If not, then you better start because you’re competitors are and they are forming relationships with the media and bloggers as we speak.  By not keeping current and not being open to new trends, you’re going to be in a world of anxiety in 2010.  The business world is moving too fast and if you can’t keep up, then you’re out of business.

9.  The video and mobile scene catch fire

According to “The Global Web Index,” from Trendstream, with research conducted byLightspeed Research, early this year 72% of US Internet users watched video clips monthly.  You might have seen your favorite show on Hulu.com or watch music videos on YouTube before, and that’s where a lot of the action is now.  Video is the most powerful personal branding medium because it closes the gap because between knowing of someone and actually meeting them.  In business, this is called building trust and a connection with your audience.  Text and audio doesn’t have that type of impact, which is why video will be a huge trend next year.  607.5 million mobile users will be using social networks by 2013, which means that businesses will have to start making their websites mobile friendly.  It also means that a lot of branding will be viewed and spread from one mobile device to the next.

10.  You will be judged on voice, not just your resume

Most people judge others by their resume.  A resume is an account of what you’ve accomplished in the past and an attempt to show a prospective customer what you’re capable of in the future.  Sorry to say that a resume won’t be powerful enough to build your brand in 2010.  In addition to all that work experience and all of that credibility you’ve built up, your online conversations will be just as valuable.  If you don’t blog or comment on blogs or at least update your status on social networks, then you won’t be perceived as a valuable contributor.  Your opinions and thoughts is what people will want to hear in 2010 and beyond, not just previous projects that get outdated really fast.

* * * * *

About the author: Dan Schawbel is the bestselling author of Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success, the owner of the award winning Personal Branding Blog and publisher of Personal Branding Magazine.

‘Meiso ho and Kokyu ho’ by Fumio Toyoda Shihan

According to our Association promotion test requirements students are required to be familiar with meiso ho(seated meditation practice) and kokyu ho (breathing exercises). Recently, a student testing for the rank of Nikyu was asked to describe these practices, and to say how they are important for budo training. He gave a very eloquent answer, which was accepted. After the test, he was privately asked if he actually did practice meditation and breathing. “I tried once,” he replied, “but they didn’t do much for me. What good are they anyway?”

In such a case it would be much better for a student to say plainly that he or she does not practice meiso ho orkokyu ho. At least this is honest. In any case, we know that this student’s instructor is probably also not clear regarding internal training methods, or at least does not teach them.

Honestly viewing Aikido as a whole, we can say that this situation is the norm, rather than the exception.

Meditation and related breathing exercises have been a vital part of Japanese martial tradition since the yogic practices of Buddhism and Taoism first entered Japan, and particularly since Zen Buddhism, with its emphasis on meditative training, came to be patronized by the ruling warrior class. Samurai during that warring stage were in daily contact with questions of life and death, of intention and concentration. They saw in the meditative discipline of monks a kind of dynamic calm and courage that they needed as soldiers. Monks, also, saw in the warriors the same intense energy and single-minded commitment that was necessary for their own spiritual training. Though their interchange, the martial arts in time became viewed as potential tools for spiritual development; they became known as Budo, martial ways. We have inherited this viewpoint, as exemplified by the internal training undertaken and espoused by the Founder during his life. The statements made by O’Sensei regarding his vision of the martial arts are actually not unique, but have been voiced in one form or another by certain martial practitioners throughout the ages.

This, then, is our tradition, and it is the background that leads us to view Aikido as potentially something more than just combative technique. Why then do many practitioners blithely sidestep the whole subject of internal training? In fact, given the high talk of Aikido philosophy contrasted with the actual practice and training of most Aikido practitioners, an outsider looking in might very well deduce that Aikido is a sham.

Of course many persons practice Aikido only for self-defense, for health reasons, social reasons, or simply as a hobby. That is fine, and desireable. But for the committed and sincere practitioners, who aspire to the deeper truths of martial training, it is unfortunate that the methodology of internal training is not stressed by most Aikido instructors. A simple reason for this may be that persons qualified to teach these facets of Aikido training have always been scarce; today’s generation of teachers have mostly been raised with, at best, a minimal exposure to this type of training.

The benefits of meiso ho and kokyu ho, so crucial to martial arts skill, include the following:

• Development of joriki (the power of unified concentration)
• Increase in kiai (vital energy) and free circulation of energy in the body.
• Improvement of shisei (posture) and general health.
• Development of calm in the face of danger or stress.
• Reduction of stress and stiffness.
• Development of proper breathing and use of the hara (lower abdomen, including the tanden or “one point”).

What should the student interested in internal training do? Since meiso ho and kokyu ho are part of our formal promotion test requirements, it is mandatory that students have an experience of them and understand their method and intention. Ultimately, students with no interest in gaining this minimum understanding are ill-prepared to take on instructor positions, since they are unable to teach a portion of our minimum test requirements.

Students should not hesitate to ask their instructors to explain and teach internal training. Express an interest in this training, and it will be addressed.

Take the time to at least experience our internal training methods. When it is your turn to answer questions during your promotion test, you will feel better knowing that your answers are sincere and based on your own solid experience.

It should be our goal not simply to follow the path of O’Sensei, but to be better — stronger, wiser, better educated, and better instructors — than O’Sensei was. Even it is not possible to surpass our teachers, we must train with the spirit of doing so using the full range of trining methods that have been handed down to us. In this way, Aikido will be successfully passed from generation to generation — without weakening.

Fumio Toyoda, Aikido World, Vol 11, No. 5

A COMPARISON OF TWO TRADITIONAL, YET SEEMINGLY DIFFERENT, JAPANESE STYLES.

Karate-do and Aikido

by Tom Muzila.

(excerpts)

Aikido and shotokan karate are popularly viewed as vastly different styles. Their approaches to the martial arts appear to come from opposite ends of the hardness/softness spectrum. Aikido is considered a soft style, while shotokan is viewed as a hard system. Yet, they share many similarities.
Although many people interpret aikido as a passive style, high-ranking aikido instructor Steven Seagal disagrees. “Aikido’s fundamental goal comes from the original martial arts concept: to kill your opponent,” notes Seagal, who lived in Japan for 15 years and studied at aikido’s headquarters dojo (training hall) in Tokyo. “All of the mental and abstract spiritual benefits are acquired from this base. You must have the capacity to kill and be able to cut off all attachments to life in your mind to be able to give life.”
Seagal also emphasizes that real aikido is extremely dangerous. An untrained individual does not know how to fall or go with the throws. In actual combat, the untrained would surely break their joints, back or neck.
Conversely, most people view shotokan karate as a hard style. Yet, at various mental and technical levels, shotokan takes on a much softer appearance.
Let’s take a look at the processes by which karate and aikido practitioners evolve. The beginning karate student usually executes a basic punch with solely muscular strength. He tightens his muscles all the way through the technique. The muscles contract and work against each other. After an individual trains for a few months or a year, however, he learns to relax through the punch and tense only at the end. At the next level, he doesn’t even tense at the end of the punch, but rather aligns and connects his body as the technique is completed. An individual has to have executed thousands of repetitions to achieve this level. The final level finds the student executing the technique totally relaxed physically, but superbly connected to his body all the way through the

technique and possessing tremendous internal spirit. This type of punch looks the softest, but is actually the most penetrating of the four stages.
A very small percentage of karate practitioners attain this advanced level of technique. The karateka (karate stylist) must let his body find the most efficient and economical way to punch through diligent, rigorous training and thousands of repetitions with the appropriate state of mind.
This concept is very similar to aikido. The majority of aikido techniques, Seagal says, are based either on a square, triangle or circle. When a person first starts practicing, he will execute techniques formed on a square. After six months or a year of diligent practice, he will graduate to the triangle. Eventually, between one and two years of training, he will be introduced to the circle. At this level, all techniques are taught efficiently and economically with the least amount of power. The circle evolves to a flowing, continuous spiral.
So, while the first few years of aikido and karate training are interpreted differently, the evolution of the techniques is quite similar. In its own way, each style graduates from a more structured, hard and rigid state to a more relaxed, efficient and economical state.
Aikido and karate have somewhat different ranking systems, but each adheres to the dan (black belt) concept, which indicates similar technical, mental and spiritual states. Both systems are based on a lifetime of practice and self-evolution. Morihei Uyeshiba (often called O-Sensei), the founder of aikido, was very mystically and spiritually oriented. Seagal believes O-Sensei formed his ranking system based on the concept of an ancient Shinto crest. He said the nine circles around the outside of the crest all represented planets. The middle circle represented divine heaven on earth.

Levels in Shintoism

Shotokan karate founder Gichin Funakoshi’s ranking system is based on five dan. The five levels are spread out over a lifetime of practice similar to the ten dan in aikido. Funakoshi used the already established ranking systems of judo and kendo as a model. Noted Los Angeles karate instructor Tsutomu Ohshima, BLACK BELT’s 1987 Man of the Year, believes Funakoshi fashioned the five dan ranks after the five consciousness levels an individual evolves through in Zen, Buddhism, and Shintoism.
It is interesting to note how Funakoshi’s ranks relate closely to Eastern religions. Shodan (first-degree black belt) indicates that one has acquired a strong foundation of basics and physical senses. In Eastern religions, it is referred to as learning to control your physical senses: sight, feel, touch, hearing and taste. To acquire the nidan rank (second-degree black belt), one has to achieve an understanding of combinations and how to strategically apply them. Eastern religions’ second level represents the control of intelligence and strategy and applying them to life. Sandan (third-degree black belt) requires one to achieve a calm, strong mind in conjunction with a presence of relaxation in the shoulders. The third level’s goal in Eastern religions is to master a calm meditative mind. Yodan (fourth-degree black belt) emphasizes a oneness of mind and body as related to techniques. Humanitarian deeds are focused on throughout this rank. The fourth level of Eastern religions stresses mind-body connection and focuses on compassion. Godan (fifth-degree black bel emphasizes impeccable execution in technique an moral character. It involves channeling spiritual consciousness through your personally disciplined character. Spirituality and oneness with God are also the highest levels in Eastern religions.

Levels in Budism
Levels in Karate
Levels in Shintoism

Although aikido is modeled on a ten-dan system, the process one goes through is very similar to that in karate. The levels of evolution are also incredibly similar to Eastern religions. The first two aikido degrees emphasize strong basics and combinations, as well as an understanding of strategy. The third and fourth degrees focus on a confident, calm mind which can generate strong ki (internal energy). Practitioners at these levels exude a humble, calm mentality. The fifth level stresses spirituality and channeling the universe within. The remaining five degrees continue to amplify the mystical and spiritual essence of the teachings. An individual’s ability to focus ki and healing abilities are also enhanced at these levels. According to Seagal, only a few individuals exist within the aikido system who exemplify these abilities.
Even the various levels of strategy and fighting ability are exceptionally similar between aikido and karate. The first level of control over your opponent is through combinations. On the next level, when your opponent moves, you already have beaten or hit him. At the next level, you are so overpowering, your opponent cannot move. A person then learns how to completely take the fight out of an opponent, then to use his momentum against him. The highest level is absolute prevention of a confrontation in essence, harmonizing the situation.
Uyeshiba and Funakoshi were very different in character, yet very similar in their expression of concepts and principles of martial arts as they relate to life. Compare, for example, the following quotes by the two famous budoka (martial warriors):

Uyeshiba: “Through aiki, extend all your power to achieve peaceful harmony with the world.”
Funakoshi:“Remember the contrast within these three elements strength and weakness in power; extension and contraction in body; quickness and slow ness in techniques.” Uyeshiba:“Winning means winning over the mind of discord in yourself. It is to accomplish your own bestowed mission.”
Funakoshi: “Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.”

Uyeshiba: “To compete in techniques, winning and losing is not true budo (warrior way). True budo knows no defeat. Never defeated means never fighting.”
Funakoshi: “To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill ”

Uyeshiba: “The inner state must be like a great calm sea.”
Funakoshi: “A truly great man is not disturbed even when suddenly confronted with an unexpected event or crisis.”

Uyeshiba: “The essence of aikido does not lie in fighting with others.”
Funakoshi: “One who truly trains in this do (way) and actually understands karate-do is never easily drawn into a fight.”

As evidenced by their statements, both Funakoshi and Uyeshiba exemplified the importance of not only making your body and mind one, but of making your practice and life one.
The paths of aikido and karate are very opposite in specific elements, but very similar in other ways.
There are many paradoxes in the process. Although each path is different, one can achieve a similar mental and technical state in karate or aikido. Even advanced maneuvers such as throws off of attacks and irimi (entering) techniques possess numerous elements of a similar nature. Even though there are subtle differences in the way the arms or feet move, the basic foundation and principles of execution are the same.
The similarities between the two arts fall into these categories: mentality, alignment, connection, timing, distance, hips, and the state of the body. The mentality in which a technique is executed is similar because a practitioner must give up his life mentally before he is attacked. He must obtain this state so he is able to feel and become one with the opponent. It is the state of not consciously thinking, the Japanese call it mushin (no mind).
Aikido and karate principles are employed within very similar parameters. In both styles, an individual must be able to move in the most efficient and economical way without any external power or resistance. The mind, body and hips all move as one unit, driven by incredible internal feeling and spirit. Uyeshiba had a saying to describe this experience: “My opponent cannot take my power away because I do not use any.”The person who can acquire this “no power” state will achieve more speed. He may train for many years to become a split second faster, but in martial arts, a split second can mean the difference between life or death.
What happens when one faces an opponent of equal physical and technical ability? What will be the deciding factor at this level of combat? The answer is the mind – the most important factor of all. One who has polished his mind and made it like a brilliant illuminating crystal, with no mental blocks, will have the edge. To achieve this state, the individual must pass through any influencing barriers of pain, emotion, fear, and insecurity. His training will have been some of the most rigorous and disciplined of its kind. He must experience hell in his training so he can appreciate heaven. The individual with the mental edge knows and senses in his mind that he has beaten his opponent even before the engagement has begun.
Why is it so difficult for the majority of martial artists to integrate and harmonize various principles? An individual must have the mental capacity to filter out unrealistic concepts and theories in his training. He must have good senior students and instructors to guide him. But most of all he must rely on himself to see the truth in his technical and mental applications of technique and life.

Business Aikido

Aikido has been a major influence on my life and in my business. I worked worldwide for a non profit organisation called Aiki Extensions that uses principles and practices from aikido in “off-mat” applications such as with young people, in peacebuilding and with the business community. Three years ago I settled down back in the UK and started a business training people in stress management, team building and leadership, using what I had learnt in my time with Aiki Extensions.

Here is what a number of business owners and aikidoka from the UK, USA, Poland and The Netherlands have to say about the connection between aikido and business

…………………

Richard Strozzi-Heckler, PhD
(6th Dan Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, California Aikido Association – Petaluma, CA, USA)
President of Strozzi Institute – The Center for Leadership and Mastery
Consulting and training in embodied leadership and somatic coaching and somatic spirit

How has training in aikido influenced your business?

Aikido essentially informs everything I do in life. Aikido is a sensibility in which one learns to relate to others in a deeper and more contactful way. Bringing forth these principles into organizations makes people more fulfilled and more productive. My coaching and training curriculums in organizations have people move together, have people touch, and have people engage in deeper conversations; all these activities are informed by aiki principles.

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?

How to dignify all relationships in a manner in which there is an increased social equity, a decrease of violence and aggression, and to treat the earth in a more sustainable way. How to contact the spirit of life in others and relate to them from that perspective.

Anything else you’d like to share about aikido and business?

I have placed Leadership Dojos in a number of business organizations, non-profits, NGOs, and the military. These are dojos in which individuals and teams can practice embodying pragmatic wisdom, grounded compassion, and skillful action. All this is influenced (among other disciplines) by aiki principles.

……………………………..

Paul Linden, PhD
(6th dan, USAF – Columbus, OH, USA)
Columbus Centre for Movement Studies (body awareness as a foundation for everything from trauma recovery to computer ergonomics.

Sixth degree black belt, affiliated with the United States Aikido Federation.

How has training in aikido influenced your business?

Aikido training pointed me in the direction of becoming aware of my body and gave me the opportunity to developed different methods of doing that.

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?

Very little, simply because aikido takes too long to learn. The wider business community would find more use in aikido derived body/self awareness training. In another sense, aikido could serve as stress management and ethics training.

…………………………….

Lance Giroux
(Shodan, CAA – CA, USA)
Allied Ronin Leadership Training & Consulting

How has training in aikido influenced your business?

Aikido directly influences my work -blending, listening, somatics,
embodiment of constructive principles, maintaining integrity. These
are relevant to everyday life – private, public, business, organizational behavior. In a world otherwise dedicated intellectually to learning sound leadership and management practices, this approach (i.e. using aikido movement and translating into everyday language and business terms) really sticks with people. They open to a whole new world of appreciating themselves, their partners, their families and who they have previously considered their adversaries and competition.

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?

Most importantly: (1) the profound need to become present to what is
happening around you (be here now); (2) to remain in contact with self
and others; (3) be mindful in all your actions and behaviors; (4) daily
strive to serve others, no matter what; (5) every day is an opportunity
to increase one’s capacity to relax under pressure; and (6) each and
every day presents THE opportunity to practice – practice – practice
what is important in life. These are crucial elements and particularly
relevant during these times of global economic and political stress (on
the macro scale) and family life or being a good student (on the micro
scale).

Anything else you’d like to share about aikido and business?

Aikido became a platform for the transformation of my work when I first
met George Leonard Sensei and Richard Strozzi-Heckler Sensei in the
late 1980′s. But I didn’t give myself permission to step on the mat
until 2000, and then only after suffering a major accident – severely
breaking my hip. I figured if I didn’t at least give it an honest
effort I would forever be saying, “Maybe I could have and I wish I
would have.” Since then the art:
(a) has provided me a foundation for gracefully handling the pressures
and stresses of being in business for myself in a highly dynamic and
changing world;
(b) has become a most effective way to communicate basics that are
important fundamentals to business and personal relationships -
fundamentals that need reinforcement every day off the mat no matter
how successful one is or becomes;
(c) provides dynamic and undeniable evidence for individual and group
understanding (or lack thereof) of what it takes to be effective in the
world – as single person, a person in relationship, a dad, a mom, a
teammate, a manager, an executive, etc.; and
(d) provides a way (even if only infrequently practiced) to increase
constructive capacities regardless of one’s career path.

…………………………….

Quentin Cooke
(5^th Dan Aikido for Daily Life/ Aikido Yuishinkai International – Cambs, UK)
Independent Financial Sollutions

How has training in aikido influenced your business?

Aikido is a philosophy and set of values to me it governs everything I do.

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?

If everybody really respected everyone else, including in business, the world would be a much happier place.

Anything else you’d like to share about aikido and business?

Suffice to say that aikido can be used to provide management consultancy principles and they work.

……………………………..

Christiaan Zandt

(Sandan Aikikai – Netherlands)

Bisho (Smile) – Facilitates people and their organisations in softening what is rigid, to become more and more able to act and communicate based on compassion.

How has training in aikido influenced your business?

It has helped me experience psychophysically that to connect is a valuable alternative to fight, flight or freeze; and since I often use Aikido in the communication trainings I provide, my own understanding of Aikido (which is, I think, only cultivated through training) enhances the service I provide.

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?

Interconnectedness – it is possible to take care of your own safety AND that of others; it is, in the long run, a not sustainable approach to think and care about oneself only – all the major crises in the world show how connected the phenomena in this world are; taking care of others is the best way of taking care of yourself. Aikido is in a sence a practice in interconnectedness.

……………………………

Pawel Olesiak

(4th dan Aikikai – Krakow, Poland)

Aiki Management – solutions for people and organizations based on aiki principles.

How has training in aikido influenced your business?

For me personally this question works in two directions. So the first part is How has training in aikido influenced your business? And the second part is How has business influenced your training in aikido? So my answer for both this questions together is, that there are many Aikido principles which are applicable to the business world. I’ll concentrate on my favorite one which is maximum effects with minimum efforts in business it’s called Pareto rule 80/20. I understand this statement in the way, that every thing we practice as during Aikido class as during business workshops has to work. Because if not we will do maximum efforts with minimum effects and nobody want to pay for it, no one want to loose the time, no one want loose the contract or the customer because of using wrong final question in the last part of difficult negotiation. From my personal position as Aikido teacher it often means, to give feedback which help the people to growth in the dojo and outside of it. To make the people more confident on themselves.

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?

The first one is the Harmony (AI).

It can be done with attacks, situations, stress, boss, colleagues etc. and for doing this, to find this harmony, the first step you need is to reframe an attack as the gift. Then you can blend with it. Who doesn’t like to receive gifts?

The second is the Power called KI.

Where did it come from? How can we find it? How to demonstrate it? How to be protect against?

The best way is awareness, concentration, breathing and holding the center on different levels, individual, team, organization. And then next questions are coming: What is the center of organization and who is responsible to keep it? How to do it? Or may be we don’t need it?

There is no different way than practice. Practice is the best method to generate flow in organization and to be sure we are going in good direction we need clear ecological vision, which is own by everybody in the organization.

The third is the Way (DO) or attitude (Zanshin)

And now the questions are: What kind of attitude do we want to show to the world as a company, as the team and as a individuals as well?

Be positive, take positive action, be helpful, base your action on the rules like Honor, Dignity, Responsibility, Truthfulness.

For every of this questions we can find the answers during Aikido classes, but to find it we have to ask for them before and during the training. Be concentrated on the subject not only on physical part of techniques. To find out the answers you have to put the question before, during and after each techniques and than be aware what happen.

So the forth is the real physical contact between the people. And there are the questions what kind of massage I send to my partner? How is the reaction of my body, for strong heavy attack? How can I deal with. I refuse, surround, fight or play? Is there any lesson to discover?

Anything else you’d like to share about aikido and business?

One of the most important thing is to create the bridge between them. To invite the people and show them the real benefits and opportunity of using Aikido in the world just to do less effort and have better results. Save their time, be more healthy. Have better relationship with others. Be sure of myself, be congruent and more happy.

…………………………………………

Trevor Schrotz

(1st kyu, Aikido in Fredericksburg – VA, USA)

In Home Music – Music education (also real estate management, business development & market analysis)

How has training in aikido influenced your business?
In many broad ways, but specifically in ability to deal with conflict, to control myself, build confidence, and interact with others positively.

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?
To work together positively, think about the community’s need in addition to the self.

Anything else you’d like to share about aikido and business?
I have found that the only thing you can control (some of the time) is yourself, and dealing with yourself helps immensely to deal with others and complicated situations.

……………………………………………

Aviv Goldsmith

(5th dan Aikikai,Takemusu Aikido Association – VA, USA)

Renewable Energy Project Development

How has training in aikido influenced your business?

People ask me if I’ve ever “used” Aikido. I say “everyday”. In each encounter, I look to understand the counterparty’s position and work with them to develop solutions

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?

Centeredness, calmness, problem solving skills.

………………………………………….

Tom Hume
(Ikkyu, Airenjuku – Brighton, UK)
Future Platforms – Software for mobile phones

How has training in aikido influenced your business?
I finish at 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Difficult meetings feel like gradings. I’m less physically intimidated than I once was.

What do you think the wider business community could learn from aikido?
Bloodymindedness.

Anything else you’d like to share about aikido and business?
It’s all in the basics.