The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on The Teacher-Student Relationship In Episode 68 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss the relationship between the student and the teacher. Is the relationship different? What is the reason for any relationship? Do we need to have a teacher? Tune in for the answers and much much more. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/ITJGv1jTlqM The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the mode...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 68
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Intention In Episode 67 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we spend some time discussing intention. Is intention necessary in one’s training? Do we need to define our intention in training? Tune in and see what role or importance intention plays in one’s Aikido training. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/8dd-Xp6Gu1U The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 67
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - An Interview with Michael Gallo Sensei In Episode 66 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we interview Michael Gallo Sensei, Aikido 6th Dan of Aikido San Marcos. Gallo Sensei is 6th Dan Aikikai and 8th Dan Daito-ryu. Listen in for some interesting stories. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/dsl5s4Qz8lU The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei wh...
May 29, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 66
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Why is Aikido Hard to LearnIn Episode 65 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we learning Aikido and why it can be hard to learn. In this episode we will delve into the mindset of the student and also the motivation of the teacher. Does either one play a role in the difficult in learning Aikido? Tune in and find out. Enjoy!Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/W5paFxLMFvI You can also listen to this podcast on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you download your podcast. The Aiki Doj...
May 01, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 65
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Is Aikido The Art of Peace? In Episode 64 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss the Art of Peace with special guest Glenn Yoshida Sensei, Aikido 7th Dan from Aikido Renshinkan. The common assumption about Aikido is that it is for defensive purposes and people think that Aikido is centered around this idea of non-violence or passivity. We discuss this idea and mull over the concept that Aikido is passive. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/Z9KiJ1aMw_Y The Aiki...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 64
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Martial Awareness In Episode 63 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss awareness. Martial awareness is the ability to quickly size up an opponent or a situation. Typically this training begins with trying to read one’s teacher and then we use that skill to read our opponents. We need to know what they might know and what their intentions are. How is awareness cultivated? What kind of things can you do with it? These questions and many more are answered in th...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 5Ep. 63
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Quitting In Episode 62 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss quitting. Not quitting from the standpoint within the first 30-60 days. We mull over the possible reasons and possible remedies for people who quit after they have been training for a while. It is not the exhaustive tome on quitting but just some insights from three people who have almost 100 years of combined Aikido experience. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/3HosSSUK9a0 The Aiki...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 5Ep. 62
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - An Interview with Mark Dufresne In Episode 61 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we interview Mark Dufresne. Mark was a student of Rev. Kensho Furuya's in the 1970s. In this interview Mark brings 50 years of Aikido training and experience. A truly eye opening interview. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/x5_hAyHfZFQ The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by Dav...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 5Ep. 61
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Do Dominance Rituals Belong in Aikido? This is the first podcast episode of 2025. In Episode 60 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss if shaming, hazing or other dominance rituals belong in Aikido. Is hazing or shaming a true aspect of learning. Does a teacher have to be dominant? Does the student have to be subservient? We try to answers these and many other questions. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and trad...
Jan 15, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 60
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Is Aikido Meditation? The last Aiki Dojo Podcast of 2024. In Episode 59 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss if Aikido is meditation. Most confuse the difference between something being meditative and mindful. Ito Sensei gives his take on how to get to a place where the training becomes almost meditative because it creates mindfulness which leads us to learning how to relax. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/Tz8E8vhUB1g The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to tr...
Dec 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 59
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - You Want to Start Your Own Dojo? In Episode 58 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ito Sensei talks about what he says when someone asks to start their own dojo. He believes that it isn’t so much a matter of a specific rank, but rather that one apply themselves in the process and preparation to become a person who teaches others. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/HGBfKHgBOUo The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts ...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 58
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Aikido Conversations II In Episode 57 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss a number of different topics related to Aikido, training, and martial arts. Listen in on the conversation. Enjoy! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/uPbViZHqAFg You can also listen to this podcast on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you download your podcast. The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted ...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 57
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on Strengths vs. Weaknesses In Episode 56 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss whether building upon your strengths or addressing your weaknesses makes you a better Aikidoist or helps you develop faster. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/_hLl7HD73Qw The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is ...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 56
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Aikido Conversations I In Episode 55 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss a number of different topics related to Aikido, training, and martial arts. Listen in on the conversation. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/8Ab2asTZDJM The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles and...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 55
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Sportsmanship and Aikido In Episode 54 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss sportsmanship and how it applies to Aikido training. Although, Aikido is not a sport, it does share some common traits that go hand in hand with sportsmanship. Enjoy! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/Udyl4VmEkuc The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the C...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 54
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Atemi in Aikido In Episode 53 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss atemi (当て身) or the practice of striking in Aikido. We discuss its history, evolution, and its place in training. Enjoy! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/QtnyuqvQaVo The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles and he brings ...
Aug 01, 2024•56 min•Season 4Ep. 53
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Why is Aikido Misunderstood? In Episode 52 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss how Aikido might be misunderstood by not only practitioners but by the general public. It comes down to how Aikido is classified. Aikido can be exercise, a martial art, a philosophy, a discipline and maybe even a religion. But, what we see might not be what we are looking for and thus we fall into a misunderstanding. Enjoy! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/gLrp2Y6SbAQ The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s go...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 52
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - How Does Age Affect Training? In Episode 51 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss the role age and aging and how it affects training. On a certain level, age is a mindset. Those who think they can, will. Those who think they can’t, won’t. Tune into the discussion on how age affects Aikido training. Enjoy! The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who...
May 30, 2024•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 51
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Is Aikido Lethal? In Episode 50 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss lethality and discus the whether or not Aikido is lethal. Aikido is a mature martial art but it has its roots in traditional Japanese Jujitsu dating as far back as mid 800 AD. Born out of warfare and combat, Aikido strives to be a modern martial art and thus the role of killing has been evolved out of the Art. But, can it be lethal? Should it be lethal? We answer these questions and much more. Enjoy! Wat...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 50
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - The Importance of Correct Ukemi In Episode 49 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss ukemi and how its correct execution is imperative to the mastery of Aikido. Ukemi is not just falling down for someone. It is an intricate and detail oriented process of moving with the nage. Ukemi teaches us so much more than physical movement that it becomes a metaphor for how to live one’s life. Enjoy! Watch here: https://youtu.be/nCBL5aDtxVk The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate ...
Apr 24, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 49
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Failure Teaches Success In Episode 48 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss how failure is the key to success. Success is great and it feels good to celebrated. However, in terms of self-development, failure is a way better tool. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/GsL-CxdYmlo Watch Kendo’s Most Grueling Challenge here: https://youtu.be/qlXZvtxBjlI Enjoy! The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern w...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 48
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Is Aikido an Art? In Episode 47 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss the concept of Aikido being a form of art. Find out what constitutes something being classified as an art and if Aikido is an art. Enjoy! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/MXlwwN6tpBU The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aikido Center of Los An...
Feb 28, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 47
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Aikido in the 21st Century & Beyond In Episode 43 of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss how Aikido is different today in the 21st century and what people have to differently. Enjoy! Watch to it here: https://youtu.be/1pWBgeUOnls The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles and he brings...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 43
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Teaching: Yesterday vs. Today In this episode of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss teaching and learning in the past and in the present. Within this topic, Ito Sensei discusses if Aikido is relevant, what it was like studying under Furuya Sensei and how modern traditional training can be applied to martial artists of today. Enjoy! Watch here: https://youtu.be/IGscHaQ-sUI The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training ...
Dec 28, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 3Ep. 42
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - What it Takes to Get to 25 Years In this episode of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, Ito Sensei talks with Santiago Garcia Almaraz Sensei of Kodokai Dojo about their dojo’s 25th anniversary. Find out about the ups and downs and what it takes to get to 25 years. Enjoy! Watch here: https://youtu.be/GDqD_ztsdmw The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is th...
Dec 14, 2023•55 min•Season 3Ep. 41
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - A Discussion on The Mindset of Mastery In this episode of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss mastery and the psychology surrounding it. Is mastery or excellence an all the time thing? Or is it something we strive for? Find out! Enjoy! The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David Ito Sensei who is the Chief Instructor of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles and he brin...
Dec 06, 2023•57 min•Season 3Ep. 15
An Interview With Pepe Jesus Garcia, Aikido 7th Dan Ito Sensei interviews 7th Dan Aikido teacher Pepe Jesus Garcia. Garcia Shihan has been doing Aikido since the 1970s and studied in Japan. Garcia Shihan is also the president of Spain Aikikai and follows Endo Sensei. Watch here: https://youtu.be/SMPEeVNeEdc Learn more about Garcia Shihan: https://spainaikikai.org/2019/01/20/pepe-jesus-garcia-6o-dan-shihan/ The Aiki Dojo Podcast goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts...
Nov 22, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 14
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - The Unintended Benefits of Aikido Training In this episode of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss the unintended benefits from Aikido training. Ito Sensei shares his personal story about a benefit he received from his Aikido training that he didn’t realize would happen. Enjoy! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/6Cp1E01XOWU The Aiki Dojo Podcast’s goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The podcast is hosted by David ...
Nov 01, 2023•58 min•Season 3Ep. 13
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - An Interview With Gayne Sogi, Aikido 7th Dan Ito Sensei interviews 7th Dan Aikido teacher Gayne Sogi from Hawaii Betsuin Aikido Club. Sogi Sensei has been doing Aikido since 1960 and was a long time student of Sadao Yoshioka Sensei. Hawaii Betsuin Aikido Club: https://www.aikidohawaii.org/dojo_hbac.html Watch it here: https://youtu.be/kO-tyr_KSTs The Aiki Dojo Podcast goal is to translate traditional Aikido and traditional martial arts training into the modern world. The ...
Sep 12, 2023•45 min•Season 3Ep. 10
The Aiki Dojo Podcast - Using Cheats, Hacks, and Shortcuts in Training In this episode of the Aiki Dojo Podcast, we discuss ways to accelerate one’s learning in terms of employing cheats, hacking, or any other shortcut. Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/tGpzjPx3RR0
Aug 24, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Season 3Ep. 10
