By training in aikido, we take on the job of "lifeguard," a kind of hero who sets out to save the thing that is the biggest threat to the lifeguard's safety - the drowning person. When we can think of our partner or our real life attacker as someone who needs our help, and we are willing to put ourselves in harms way by entering the situation with the goal of saving that person from harm, I believe we get closer to the idea of what Osensei meant his art to be. Many thanks to practice partner Brett James and hosting dojo Meidokan Dojo, in London, UK.

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