It's been a wonderful start to the week. We published a new book by Hao Tran at Autonomous Press and it comes with an interview on our blog. Hope you like both. autpress.com/2026/03/old-... @autonomouspress.bsky.social

We are delighted to share that Hao has published a new memoir through Autonomous Press, The Old Village Road. It's available for paperback and e-book, and you can read about his creative process on the press blog. autpress.com autpress.com/2026/03/old-... @autonomouspress.bsky.social

We are almost ready with two new books through Autonomous Press. As part of the launch process, we'll have purchase links and high resolution covers for the authors to share with their networks. It's a true pleasure to prepare behind the scenes. @autonomouspress.bsky.social

The quality of our lives is largely determined by the quality of our relationships. When we set out to improve those, asking open questions and giving thoughtful compliments is a great place to start.

"Real self-work continues as an uphill struggle with decades of socially-conditioned, externally-directed habit patterns. For those who persevere, this struggle has its own rewards; there is no fire without friction and no life without heat." Antero Alli, Towards an Archaeology of the Soul

We often surrender as a last resort. What if we woke up in the morning and surrendered instead? It's about opening to become a channel for grace.

We are hosting a family day on Tuesday, April 7. On family days, parents and siblings age seven and up can join the class and get a sense of what your kids are learning. It's an opportunity for the students to be the experts and show the games and movements that are the foundation of our practice.

“Mammals, including us, become friendly, playful, curious, and creative when they feel safe, satisfied, and connected.” ― Rick Hanson, Hardwiring Happiness

"You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your inner enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter." O Sensei

We are promoting two students to yellow belt in the youth class on Tuesday. If you are an adult student coming to support them, please show up between 4pm - 4:20pm. The families tend to arrive about 4:30pm and class runs for an hour. See you there.

It's spring time and that means new beginnings. As always, I am re-dedicating to love and service. When we show up with gratitude and curiosity, the group we are fostering can flourish more deeply.

I have felt for a while that honesty isn't always helpful, unless it's also kind and relevant. A friend introduced the idea of truth as an alternate orientation, and it seems to confer more heart.

It's so special to change and see our relationships change in the long term. We get this experience at Aiki Arts Center as dojo members become more calm, grounded, authentic, and connected. I am grateful to practice every day. @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

A year ago: The sweet spot is when we are calm and available, equally ready to receive or initiate. It's a sustainable level of attention.

It's been a good weekend. We are halfway through the Beginner Series at Aiki Arts Center and Autonomous Press has two new books almost ready. That means I get to conduct author interviews and share marketing tips with our contributors. Thank you to the Gods for a beautiful life.

We are pleased to share a new video, made for the parents of our youth students, though useful for everyone. It shows the basic exercises that we practice as our foundation, along with new material. We are learning to be present in the body, calm and grounded, and to move with purpose.

"Human speech and consciousness should honor the Source of existence rather than degrade or desecrate it. Humanity is called to cultivate reverence for the sacred dimension of reality." Yaakov Ort

It takes practice to become an affirming leader and the most capable leaders are always learning too. We can choose to inspire and motivate the group do perform their most useful actions, to communicate with thoughtfulness and decent strategy, and to orient towards the arc of progress.

It's a pleasure to share these upcoming events at Studio 12 in Berkeley, California. We have UpSwing Aerial Dance Company, Nishi Kaigan Iaido Dojo, Aiki Arts Center, and many other wonderful groups. See you there. @aikiartscenter.bsky.social www.studiotwelveberkeley.com/events.html

The beginner series is rolling along at Aiki Arts Center. We have two more Fridays (show up at 6pm) with these techniques and ki exercises. katate tori - tenkan katate tori - sayu nage gyakute tori - irimi nage ryo kata tori - kokyu nage tenkan shomen uchi - kaiten nage yokomen uchi - omote nage

When I was young, Ofer Zur designated a dessert cupboard with all the treats. That is now created in the fridge, with delicious things to enjoy.

I went to rehab in Utah at age sixteen to get a breather from the drug scene. The place was run by super sweet Mormons and there was plenty of space to be outside, with horses and a rope swing over a pool. We had fun there, healing from various expressions of ouch.

We are honored to give a demonstration at the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, April 11 (2:30pm - 3pm). You can come by the stage at 1840 Sutter Street, and we will be looking for volunteers too.

We are delighted to share this interview with Hao about his first book, Skinny Woman in a Straw Hat. And you can stay tuned for a new book (and interview) later in the spring. He is a beautiful storyteller. autpress.com/2023/09/inte... @autonomouspress.bsky.social

What feels like purpose: introducing people that can support each other, and sprinkling the right ideas into the relevant places, so we can all get more efficient and more kind. In other words, improving the quality of life through deeper connections.

It was a good week. We got sales at work and in all areas of life, relationships feel lighter and more mutually trusting. The warmth will bounce us into a Beginner Series at Aiki Arts Center this evening. @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

Our beginner series starts tonight (show up at 6pm) and spans all four Fridays in March. It's suitable for brand new students, anyone preparing for orange belt, and more experienced students. The fundamentals are always relevant.

I've been reflecting on acceptance and how seeing situations clearly can be relaxing. It takes tension to uphold delusion, whereas gentle observation takes little effort.

"One of the most significant changes was the improvement in my relationships. Without the distraction of my phone, I could be fully present in conversations, giving others my undivided attention." medium.com/@denzeldamba...

I decided a few weeks ago to hang out with smarter people and the dojo is a big yes there. We are attracted to aikido because creating harmony out of conflict feels right in the soul.

“Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.” ― Bruce Lee

We are looking forward to the beginner series on Fridays next month. Here are the techniques that we'll learn (along with ki exercises). katate tori - tenkan katate tori - sayu nage gyakute tori - irimi nage ryo kata tori - kokyu nage tenkan shomen uchi - kaiten nage yokomen uchi - omote nage

It's a good day. We have young aikido students preparing for yellow belt and in the adult class, will be offering a Beginner Series next month. See you at the dojo. @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

In the youth aikido class, we are hosting family day tomorrow. We did such events before the pandemic, so this is the first time with the new group. It will be fun. @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

It's tax season and I will put in a plug for Bruce Friedman in El Cerrito (for anyone looking in California). He is a straight shooter and super organized. We like him. www.yelp.com/biz/friedman...

"Most of us want to be more graceful and less awkward. But I don’t think the awkwardness of being human can ever be fully transcended. It might look that way when we see certain bodies on stages or movie screens, but there’s a lot of illusion involved in that." neuroqueer.com/the-awkwardn...

Thank you to Marilyn Steele for the beautiful flower arrangement and meal. I like knowing that we are all growing and changing, as our own evolution is deeply connected to the path of humanity at large.

I've been reading Impact Players and learning that simply seeing our projects through to the end (unless there is a good reason to adjust or pause) can make a person stand out at work. When we show up reliable over the long term, we develop a reputation for trustworthiness. thewisemangroup.com

We are pleased to share a Girl Scout Cookie option that benefits the dojo community. Here is the link to purchase from Alan Sensei's daughter. Thank you for supporting our local young people. digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/anna76...

“The point about connectors is that by having a foot in so many different worlds, they have the effect of bringing them all together.” ― Malcolm Gladwell paulitaylor.com/2023/12/08/w...

It's a super interesting time of changing course in many areas. I've given thoughtful parting messages to the dentist, massage person, and various other organizations. The time is here to go in a new (and simpler) direction. It's about more space for grace.

Ofer Zur was an incredibly soulful person, and used the power of story to impart wisdom. He discovered YouTube and the medium of short form video towards the end of his life. Here is a sample, about the recovery from a phosphorus grenade at age ten. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLxq...

We give ourselves and each other a fresh start every day. That means there is always space to change.

We are getting ready for the one year ceremony of Ofer Zur‘s passing. Here is the stone and more information on the Jewish ritual. www.myjewishlearning.com/article/yahr...

I've been thinking about intelligence and how it's really about our ability to learn through observation, reflection, and experimentation.

We are pleased to share a beginner series at Aiki Arts Center. It meets on Fridays in March (at our usual time, set up at 6pm). We'll learn vocabulary, basic movements, and freestyle. @aikiartscenter.bsky.social aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

We are having a great time in the youth class. As many of our students are younger with the current enrollments, here is a helpful video on how to put on the jacket and belt. Hope you like it.

We are pleased to share a beginner series on Fridays in March (6pm arrival and 7:30pm pack up). If you would like to start practice, it's a wonderful time. The series is free for dojo members or you can reach out through the website for payment options. aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...