Quotes from Phong Thong Dang

Aikido is budo. The goal of aikido is the development of personal, social, and spiritual awareness, responsibility, and accountability through the discipline and practice of a martial art. Aikido, empty-handed and with weapons, is the training of the heart and mind for self-defense, if necessary, and for physical conditioning.

This emphasis on the philosophy, or worldview, of aikido often makes understanding the art difficult for the beginning student. On one level, the student of aikido must adopt a worldview that accepts violence and attacks. On the other hand, aikido does not meet like with like—aikido does not retaliate with more violence and attacks. It

Ai can be translated as meaning "harmony," "unity," or "to join and become one." The concept of harmony in combat is hard for most people to comprehend. We are all used to fighting force with force, to meeting attack with resistance. The idea of meeting an attack with love and harmony appears contradictory and impossible.

By practicing slowly, you actually learn the technique better, because you do not allow momentum alone to do the work. Slow motion facilitates the firing of the neural pathway that activates the muscles used. It also helps you use only the muscles and neurons needed, leaving the others relaxed, and preventing any wasted motion.

Remember, we do not rise to the level of our expectations, but we do fall to the level of our training.