Durward Burrell will be introducing us to the world of Aikido, the Japanese martial art that expresses through movement a third path between conflict and surrender. Aikido is known as the ‘Way of Harmonious Spirit’ and is a unique blend of martial art and philosophy, a discipline that can change the way we move, talk and, ultimately, how we live our lives. The essence of the style is to neither become the aggressor or victim in a violent encounter but instead to find a new path where neither side loses.
In the dojo
On a physical level this can mean moving with an attacker’s thrust so that you end up dancing with his energy and redirecting it where you choose. On a verbal level you may manoeuvre in an argument so that you neither defend or lash out but instead find common ground with the other and discharge the tension beneath the words. After our morning meditation sessions we will explore how we can apply the principles of aikido to our daily lives, learning how to meet the challenges of the world in harmony rather than resistance.