Secrets of Aikido [Paperback]

John Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 11, 1997

Aikido is the Way of Peace, a martial art aimed at harmonizing body and spirit with the natural forces of the universe. In this book, John Stevens explores the hidden teachings and deeper dimensions of Aikido, especially its spiritual wisdom as taught by its Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. The book explores:

   •  Practices for the purification of mind and body
   •  The tantric dimensions of Aikido, unifying masculine and feminine
   •  The Aikido science of sound and how it parallels the use of mantras and similar practices in other spiritual disciplines
   •  Breathing techniques for calming the spirit and returning to the source of life
   •  The six pillars of Aikido: physical techniques based on spiritual principles that link us to a higher realm of being

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Stevens is Professor of Buddhist Studies and Aikido instructor at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai, Japan. He is the author or translator of over twenty books on Buddhism, Zen, Aikido, and Asian culture. He has practiced and taught Aikido all over the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (February 11, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570622353
• ISBN-13: 978-1570622359
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All about the spiritual background of Aikido, December 10, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secrets of Aikido (Hardcover)

There are no hidden secrets in Aikido - Morihei Ueshiba.
But some day he gathered his students to show them his "hidden secrets", the spiritual basis on which he founded aikido. If you want to understand the spiritual depth of Aikido, and you can't understand Aikido without it, you should read this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply Spiritual, October 26, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Marinha Grande, Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets of Aikido (Paperback)

The best book I've read. I practise Aikido for four years and I never knew of the conexions of Aikido with the gods untill I read this book. Not only it talks about Yin and Yang, but it talks about the way of Aiki. Very, very spiritual. For somebody who's not sure of which book to buy, I strongly advise to buy this one. It changed my Aikido life radically.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent no matter what style of martial arts you study, September 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Secrets of Aikido (Paperback)

This book allows you to understand more about yourself no matter what style you study. All styles have simularities in their fundimental purposes, and this book brings this out.