AIKIDO'S BAD REPUTATION IS DESERVED! | ROBERT MUSTARD SHIHAN 

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Thanks very much. Good discussion Glad Mustard sensei took the time to articulate the issues so directly. The decline of Aikido? Where to start? Talent drain. "The great softening" of society. Commercialization. Poorly taught by unqualified people. Reduced demands on students. Technically difficult art in an age of impatience. (The piano is more difficult than the kazoo. Everyone can try. Not so many are really good.) Misunderstandings (both by students and outside observers) about what Aikido is and what one is learning. At its broadest, fundamentally, Aikido is a Way to develop better human beings: body, mind and spirit by the rigorous drilling of martial arts techniques (at the most rigorous level you can acheive). The core practice is a partner-based dynamic form of kata-keiko (forms practice) which, done well, should involve diminishing levels of cooperation as one progresses - but can be adjusted in the moment based on the level/skill of your partner. With this format, all people can participate in and benefit from this budo (to varying degrees of difficulty and depth). Think of it like surfing. There is gentle Waikiki and there are Mavericks and Nazare. Same activity, but totally different experiences. In my view, Aikido practice must retain the rigor, risk and spirit of applied martial arts training, even if a student seeks personal development. In fact, deeper personal development can be achieved from those pressures on the student. Many Aikidoka need to better understand the limits of their training, if they are (not particularly gifted physically and) not pushing the boundaries of training beyond the classical method. If you seek "Aikido Applied", you must progress beyond the core forms practice to learn to "use" the art spontaneously, improvisational-ly (like piano) - which in the past in Tokyo meant fighting in Kabuki-cho or Roppongi or scheduling matches. Nowadays? You'll need to expand the scope of your training in the dojo (additional drills, free-style, randori) and then gain non-cooperative experience in sports match fighting or arranged contests. Best to avoid spontaneous survival conflicts, but if you get that experience and survive, you'll learn. Find your Way!!!!

Mustard sensei and I met way back at the Aiki Expos. I have a huge amount of respect for his Aikido. While my teacher, Saotome Sensei was from a different "style" if you want to call it that, what he talks about is spot on to what I was taught and what I have tried to do.

Superb! How wonderful to see two such experienced martial artists talking so openly. Looking forward to seeing the rest of this interview

Thanks for sharing this conversation.

Legend! I've no idea how you set this up but what a great interview. fabulous stuff guys

Refreshing to hear a senior man being this honest. thanks for posting.

Great stuff. It is refreshing to see a master of Robert Mustard caliber to give an honest view on modern aikido. Yoshinkan Aikido is well known not only for it is martial spirit, but also for aiki. Could you ask Mustard sensei for his take on that topic.

Excellent discussion

An opinion, measured and delivered with consideration must be respected.

Been a few years since I read Mustard Shihan's book - great read, really recommend it, great video too, looking forward to watching the rest. There is just one point I will make. Where Robert and many older instructors come from it was old school, and it was hard core. Over the years I think all martial arts have 'softened' from where their origins came from simply because there is not the need for such an aggressive approach. We are in the silicone age of sitting at computers all day, not riding bikes and playing rugby and falling out of trees so naturally the 'self defence' aspect has become more the 'art'. And as instructors we have had to change with the times. Roberts comment about 'some students need to be punched in the face' to me translates to the lack of combat mode in some schools. If you have never been in a real fight on the streets then you rely on the tournaments in the dojo. I have been in tournaments for karate in ippon kumite and later in full contact multiple point sparring and they are a real eye opener. I think people do need to put on some mitts and wear a mouthguard and have a go just to get over that adrenalin dump and fight or flight feeling. Relying on modern Aikido alone against a fast striking/kicking opponent is very hard unless you have many years under your belt.

What a fascinating man. I can't fault his logic or his opinion either. Very good thank you AS>

Really interesting, again wishing I'd started 30yrs earlier, but related to the comments about intent. Intent and "extending your feeling" was taught under my first instructor, and was integral in how you hold yourself (best practiced in and out the dojo). Certainly at my level, its not really mentioned, hopefully this will change as I move through the training. But all that time I spent in the pub in my 20s,although fun, I listened to the 40+ training sessions a month, what commitment. Great listening to the chat, I certainly will try to train with intent.

The few students left who studied 10 years + regular classes under the late Shihan Kawahara understand the martial aspect in Aikido . The importance of the right teacher can never be underestimated. Unfortunately that generation of Shihan is dying off .

Always love Mustard Sensei, v down to earth, lots of truths!!

A huge thank you to Robert Mustard shihan for taking the time to talk to us so honestly.

refreshing to see two senior ranks being so frank about their art.

Love how he says Steven Seagal gave us a ‘bit’ of a boost. Ha. Robert, Seagal gave a huge boost and Aikido has practically lived of him since his first film. Seagal is the best thing to ever come out of Aikido.

Great interview Mustard Shihan. But you didn't refer to the Melbourne Shihan as the "Gifted One"........On a serious note, awesome interview and very real as far as explaining everything about Aikido and the bad rap it gets. Cheers RR

Wunderbar :-)

I quit at shodan and moved on to MMA and BJJ but frankly I had been thinking about moving on since about 2nd kyu anyway.

Hello. Thanks for the interesting conversation. I will express my opinion on this issue. All discussions about the reputation of aikido as a martial art inevitably fall into the trap of false conclusions and conclusions. Here it is appropriate to draw an analogy with nuclear physics. When the ridiculous and absurd scientists Curie, Rutherford, Einstein, Bohr were fiddling with the physics of the atomic nucleus, no one could have imagined that this was the creation of a powerful weapon. But they created a source of energy for mankind. The same principles can be used in different ways. Trying to supplement the arsenal of aikido with "blocks" means to stop studying the interaction of partners, entrances to the attack, and actually stop studying aikido. These principles of Uke and Tori communication can later be used in any martial arts and military disciplines. Therefore, aikido cannot be deformed. It is extremely efficient and practical. Thanks.

I am a student from - CHIBA BIRANKAI - IT IS HARD CORE _ but yes there are plenty of mcdojos in the USA . - but if we kill each other in the dojo - we will have no students left within several hours. on a scale of 1 - 10 1= very slow and broken - 10 = killing field. WE PRACTICE AT 8 AND THAT IS VERY PAINFUL INDEED. AND YES - WE WILL HIT EACH OTHER..

Is the full interview in one part available please?

Shout out to Sensei Joe Thambu: he is technically excellent with a good heart.

I suggest you recommend Goju Ryu karate as a side class. Blocks and punches and kicks galore. Handed out and received. Par for the course.

NOT ALL AIKIDO IS EQUAL.

if you wanna dig combative aspect try do training with sparring, bare hand or kumi tachi. it will help train mentality state of the student. be offensive or defensive person is a choice

Hola. Deberian de traducirlo en Español. Es interesante oir la opinión de un experto . Gracias

I quit after I got Shodan and came back 23-24 years later.

needs to revert back to old school ....needs to ....lose the touchy feely..get real for those who want to get real. and let the others fumble their way through.....teaching standards are set by the dojo cho as is certification. EXCELLENT teachers are few and far between. good luck

5 year for nidan in kendo....poor

First