Aikido In Balance

It's time to get back into training again and so I'm looking for people to practice with in Sonoma county California. Please let me know if anyone wants to get into a routine of working on what Henry has taught us near Santa Rosa! ~ Tyler

Hello everybody- thank you for joining the page here. Lately I have not been updating much, due to business with dance practice, and transition to California, my new home. I am writing to tell you that I plan on updating a lot more frequently with posts about Henry, the people involved in our great aikido community, and with updates and seminars regarding what we have learned. I do feel that Henry has left us a great gift and a totally unique perspective on Aikido, and it is up to us to continue exploring the "one circle" concept. Please continue the discussion, and Joe, myself, and others are willing to come visit to continue our studies. Keep us posted! ~Tyler

In the middle here is A man who played a huge role in my personal evolution. Henry Kono passed away over the weekend at the age of 88. I met Henry in 1997 and have been in touch with him virtually every month since then whether by phone or visit in person to learn from him. My mom always referred to him as the only Sage that she ever really met. I think that this rings true for a lot of us who got to know him.

The most striking thing about Henry's knowledge was the totality and completeness of what he was doing. There was a complete understanding of this practice and interaction between uke and nage that was completely congruent with his experience with the founder of Aikido in Japan in the late 1960's. I find it very rare that a person can have such a total understanding and congruence.

From Henry I learned that real secrets of this world are hidden in plain sight. He could explain very clearly what he was doing, we would all nod our heads understanding the concept, and in utter frustration none of us would be able to do what he did. Henry spent a fair amount of time teaching us that our own minds were getting in the way of seeing the truth that was right in front of us. Many of us would have glimpses and moments of clarity, only to be followed by Henry scalding us with a "loosen up!", or " you're thinking and not watching!"

I think the most extraordinary quality of my experience with Henry was his humble nature. Henry rejected any concept of hierarchy or status. He truly felt that if two human beings could not communicate on an equal level there could be no genuine communication. From that example, the dynamic of the classes was totally different that traditional martial arts etiquette.

In one of my last conversations with Henry I was expressing my gratitude for the wonderful aikido community that we have all built out of his teaching over the years. I
noted that in all my travels I have never seen an aikido community that works so well together and loves each other. Henry just replied,"well Tyler, when the concept is balance there is nothing for everyone to fight about".

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of my aikido friends. I'm missing you all quite a bit these days. I spoke with Henry yesterday and he was in good spirits. I'm really hoping to get another trip to Europe this year to visit all of my Dutch and Irish friends. Be well everyone!

Back in June Henry Kono came to visit us in Vermont. We had a small group that practiced in the garage at Lavigne Funeral Home in Winooski Vermont, and Henry taught a Saturday morning class. Periodically I call Henry to chat about things, and one of the questions that I had left him with before the seminar was "how do I find an easy way to explain to people why we do this?". Specifically I was referring to these exercises that we have done for so many years that when viewed by an outsider don't seem to have all the martial arts mojo that everybody seems to be searching for when they join a martial art. Henry really amazed me in this class by how simply he answered this question. He told us that the difference between the one circle practice is a practice of discovering the cause of O'sensei's movement. Two circle is the study of the effect. He elaborated that when you practice working on getting your side balanced, you are working on the cause. When you practice getting the other guy down, you are practicing the effect. The ego wants to be able to get the other guy down. Working on your half is the key ;)

Henry and the gang will be in Vermont June 19-21! Looking forward to seeing everybody!

Excited to see Henry and everybody in Orlando at the end of January!

The usual spot after a class with Henry :)

Gotcha!