Welcome to South Austin Aikido

I think we need to periodically remind ourselves what we are supposed to be learning in aikido.  To me, one of the main objectives is to learn the underlying principles that make a difference not only in our physical techniques used in aikido practice but to be used in our lives outside of the dojo.  These principles are not always easy to maintain since they require something beyond an immediate reaction to someone or something.

To apply these principles takes practice and thought.  These principles include tolerance and patience, kindness and understanding. Above all else aikido principles include a desire to resolve any conflict with love and gentleness. 

When someone hurts our feelings it is natural to want to strike back, however, to extend love and understanding back to the injuring party would be an extension of our aikido principles into our daily lives.  Whenever someone says or does something hurtful to me I try to fight the urge to hurt back and attempt to think about a proper loving response back to them. 

I believe that true spiritual strength is the ability to support spiritual weakness in others.