This weekend we hosted our fifth annual seminar with Mary Heiny Sensei from Seattle, Washington. The seminar focused on keeping our own vertical line by maintaining good posture. In doing so, we allow Uke’s energy to pass into our space as opposed to attacking Uke by leaning in and pushing.

Sensei looked at this aspect of technique through a variety of techniques and talked a lot about the philosophy behind the movements. My favorite part of the seminar was when Sensei asked for questions about aikido or any technique because her responses were very thoughtful. My favorite was her answer about "how can you call aikido a Martial art when you are not fighting with each other during practice?" She responded with O Sensei’s thoughts that aikido is "shin no budo" or a new martial art. All arts before were about fighting and defeating an opponent, representing "Satsujinken," or "the sword that kills." Aikido is about defending yourself and your partner in a manner consistent with "Katsujinken," or "the sword that gives life." Through this practice, O Sensei believed we could develop into better people and bring peace to the world.

The turn-out for the seminar was incredible as people from many affiliations came. Thanks to everyone for coming to participate and a special thanks to Mary Heiny Sensei for sharing her aikido and philosophy of the art with us.