honor to train with a legend and to be trusted with his teachings. I hope my simple contributions in some small way help promote, perpetuate, and propagate his teachings, his style, his federation, and the greater good of the world aikido community. Sensei, domo arigato gozaimashita.
I respectfully dedicate this work with my deepest appreciation to all my fellow students and training partners (sempai, tohai, and kohai) past, present, and future for their patience, their loving protection, and for sharing the knowledge that is included here. Without them, there is no training.
I lovingly dedicate this book, and my whole life, to my family. They have accepted and supported my life-long passion for the martial arts. They believe in me. They taught me that love is the greatest gift of all and the only one that really matters. They are not just the love of my life, but my life itself.
—LYNN SEISER, PH.D.
SANDAN, 3RD DAN TENSHINKAI AIKIDO
FOUNDER OF AIKI-SOLUTIONS
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, AND CHILD COUNSELOR
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA USA
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND APPRECIATIONS VIII
PREFACE IX
PART ONE: THE INNER DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADVANCED PRACTITIONER 9
Chapter 1: Omoto Philosophy for Today's Practitioner 10
Chapter 2: Training Philosophy 20
Chapter 3: Training the Mind 32
Chapter 4: Understanding and Using IG 38
PART TWO: THEORIES AND CONCEPTS FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTITIONER 45
Chapter 5: The Art of Body Mechanics 46
Chapter 6: The Art of Movement 51
Chapter 7: The Art of Engagement 58
PART THREE: ADVANCED TECHNIQUES-REFINING THE FUNDAMENTALS 67
Chapter 8: Throws and Locks 68
Chapter 9: Application Techniques 107
Chapter 10: Combination Techniques 124
Chapter 11: Counters and Reversals 133
PART FOUR: ADVANCED APPLICATIONS-TAKING YOUR PRACTICE TO THE NEXT LEVEL 157
Chapter 13: Self-Defense Techniques 158
Chapter 14: Demonstrations, Competition, and Seminars 172
Chapter 15: Teaching Aikido 175
Appendix A: Interviews with Sensei Phong Thong Dang 178
Appendix B: Questions and Answers from Aikido Instructors 193
Appendix C: Technique Chart 199
Glossary 203
Index 211
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AND APPRECIATIONS
The authors express their deepest compliments and appreciation to their editor at Tuttle Publishing, Jennifer Brown, whose expertise and patience have guided them brilliantly through three books.
The authors express their deepest respect and appreciation for permission to quote the contributions from several high-ranked and highly regarded aikido instructors and their thoughts in the forward of this book. It is a humbling honor to include their insights from years of training and experience in this book.
The authors express deep appreciation to Stanley Pranin, editor of Aiki News/Aikido Journal, producer of Aiki Expo, and aikido historian, for his permission to quote, and reproduce, in its entirety, his interview with Sensei Phong Thong Dang originally published in Aikido Journal #101 in 1994 in this work.
The authors also express deep appreciation to Susan Perry and Ronald Rubin, editors of Aikido Today Magazine, for their permission to quote and reproduce, in its entirety, their interview with Sensei Phong Thong Dang originally published in Aikido Today Magazine (#75; Vol. 15, No. 3; May/June 2001, pages 11-15) in this work.
The illustrations of Waza (techniques) rendered from photographs taken by Shodan John Tran of Tenshinkai Aikido Westminster Aikikai Dojo of members; Sandan Minhhai Nguyen, Sandan Quang Hai Nguyen, Nidan Loc Bui, Nidan Randy Penland, Nidan Rick Neff, Nidan Bryan Tate, Nidan Eric Raye, Shodan Joe Duong Dinh, and Shodan Tu Tu on July 25, 2004. Thank you gentlemen.
The authors express their appreciation to readers from the Tenshinkai Westminster Aikikai Dojo; Tarn Do, David Whurlbut, Richmond Neff, John Velardo, and David Marcus.
The authors express their deepest appreciation for the proofreading done by Pamela Seiser, wife of author Lynn Seiser. She proofread, and reread, every word, of every page, of every draft
