Aikido and the Harmony of Nature

Rating:
Summary: A must have for Aikido students
Review: All in all this is a great book and, as I stated in the title, it is a must have for aikido students. However, in my personal opinion, it could have been written in half of the pages. Lecturing about the "obvious" connections between molecular biology-quantum physics-Aikido-cosmology-planet management sounds ... well, actually, it does not sound to tell you the truth. Again, in my personal view. On the other hand, lecturing about the real meaning of budo is very good. Many concepts here explained are deep. Although it is not a technical manual, the notes about the spirit that stands behind some basic techniques really tell you something.

Rating:
Summary: A must have for Aikido students
Review: All in all this is a great book and, as I stated in the title, it is a must have for aikido students. However, in my personal opinion, it could have been written in half of the pages. Lecturing about the "obvious" connections between molecular biology-quantum physics-Aikido-cosmology-planet management sounds ... well, actually, it does not sound to tell you the truth. Again, in my personal view. On the other hand, lecturing about the real meaning of budo is very good. Many concepts here explained are deep. Although it is not a technical manual, the notes about the spirit that stands behind some basic techniques really tell you something.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: Beautiful imagery and description of the philosophy of Aikido.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: Do you like full page drawings that look like they were done by a child and have no significance? This book has plenty of them. How about pages of photographs that are not only uninteresting but don't appear to be demonstrating anything at all? Got ya covered. How about endless boring drivel? Cover to cover. Atoms spin around, planets spin around, your technique spins around, therefore aikido is in harmony with nature, zzzzzzzz. Get 'Ki in Daily Life' instead.

Rating:
Summary: it was okay
Review: it was oka

Rating:
Summary: An excellent discussion on the philosophies of Aikido.
Review: One of the highest ranking aikidoka in the world, Mitsugi Saotome has written an excellent text detailing the philosophies of Aikido. Memories of his past training bring to life Morihei Ueshiba's teachings. This is a great source for understanding the movements and philosophies of this new and great martial art

Rating:
Summary: Required for all wants to understand the perfection of Aikid
Review: Perhaps many practitioners nowadays consider Aikido as one of martial arts, one kind of Budo. But Aikido is much more. It's a perfect system to develop ourselves while help others, make the world better. This book of Saotome sensei clarifies the aim of Aikido giving its traditonal and spiritual roots originated from shinto. Obligatory for all aikidoka wants to live in the spirit of Aikido

Rating:
Summary: An Inspiration
Review: Saotome Shihan(one that is worthy to be followed) has written a very distintive and uncommon book. There is nothing about technique or fighting ways. The book is concerned with the spiritual side of Aikido and the importance of becoming a better person through its practice. That does not mean that Saotome Shihan is one of those dreamy-eyed, "new-age" people...He talks straight and proposes many ideas full of common sense. The book also is full of his fond memories of Ueshiba Sensei(founder of Aikido)and gives sound advice on how to improve our lives. All in all, a one of a kind book. You must have it in your martial arts library !

Rating:
Summary: A one of a kind book !
Review: Saotome Shihan(one that is worthy to be followed) has written a very distintive and uncommon book. There is nothing about technique or fighting ways. The book is concerned with the spiritual side of Aikido and the importance of becoming a better person through its practice. That does not mean that Saotome Shihan is one of those dreamy-eyed, "new-age" people...He talks straight and proposes many ideas full of common sense. The book also is full of his fond memories of Ueshiba Sensei(founder of Aikido)and gives sound advice on how to improve our lives. All in all, a one of a kind book. You must have it in your martial arts library !

Rating:
Summary: The spiritual world of Aikido made accessible to Westerners
Review: Taking the esoteric Shinto based beliefs of the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, Saotome Sensei translates these ideas into Western terms using examples from natural science, physics, psychology, and mathematics. Not a technique book! This is the premier explanation of Aikido philosophy in terms comprehensible to the average Westerner.There are very few teachers who had more exposure to the Founder on a daily basis, training with O-Sensei for over fifteen years! If you only have one Aikido book, this should be it!