Ki to the City

This is, for sure, one of the most encouraging episodes I’ve had the good fortune to record. I honestly don’t think I can fully express how in awe I am at the optimistic bravery, fortitude, and radiant positivity of my guest, Molly Hale Sensei.Her story is ineffably powerful and spiritually uplifting.Molly Sensei’s Aikido journey began unexpectedly (as, I’m learning, most do) during a workshop at the Lomi School in 1984. It was there, during a profoundly dazzling encounter with a bokken strike, that she instantly developed a strong magnetic attraction to the art.This experience led her to begin training with Frank Doran Sensei at Aikido West, and due to the plethora of great dojos in her immediate vicinity, she was able to immediately immerse herself in many different modes of practice under such luminous Sensei as Hiroshi Ikeda, Bill Witt, and Bob Nadeau…It’s been a full week since we recorded the conversation, and I’ve really been struggling to write this intro—because I don’t want to reduce such a compelling and intense story into “copy for social media” / “trying to promote my podcast.”I think I made the right decision in asking Molly Sensei for a quick call yesterday so I could ask her one more question. I’m not going to tell you the question. I’ve already broken the 4th wall enough in this post, but as a reward for indulging my clumsy juggling of sincere writing and podcast promoting, here’s her answer in a direct quote…“I can’t imagine life without training. The depth of the community, the depth of the training, the support of the community. Looking at how the practice supports movement, in life, in general. Then you wrap that around the loving protection for all living things! I am one of those living things! Continually immersing in that because… you know, living in a quadriplegic body is not simple. Aikido is infinite adaptation for anybody. Not just me, but for anybody. We’re constantly adapting to what is. And my “what is” looks a little different. So, to me, it’s universal. Aikido can be practiced by anyone who has this intention of a loving practice.”Many of you may already know her story. For more background, I highly, highly, highly recommend taking some time to visit her website and watching this remarkable documentary: Moment by Moment Thirty-one years ago, Molly Sensei’s life was forever altered when she fell asleep at the wheel, her car flipping end-over-end at 65 MPH before coming to a crashing halt.What she described to me in the conversation is still giving me goosebumps while I write this: a genuine out-of-body experience. She found herself high above her physical form, looking back down at her upside-down Acura with its wheels still spinning.In that ethereal space, she felt with absolute certainty that there was a choice to be made: Stay or go. Suddenly, a voice commanded, “Molly Ruth, get back in your body!”Because “Molly Ruth” was the name her parents only used when they demanded her immediate, unquestioning attention, the command resonated in her core. She made the conscious choice to return, snapping back into her physical form to face the arduous road ahead.Trapped in the wreckage for nearly two hours, she hung upside down, suspended by the steering wheel at her hip line. Yet, in the midst of this horrific predicament, she did not panic or ask, “Why me?”. Instead, she realized with profound clarity that her entire life’s physical and spiritual training had been preparing her for this exact moment.To survive, Molly relied on her extensive understanding of somatics, leaning heavily on her study of Continuum (a movement practice focusing on the liquid nature of human biology and utilizing deep micro-movements that ride on the breath). Using a breathing pattern she had learned from the practice’s founder (Emilie Conrad) just a month prior, she was able to stay conscious, centered, and keep her airway open. The one time she allowed herself to relax, her airway was immediately cut off, forcing her to consciously wriggle her body back up and re-engage her breath to stay alive.Her miraculous rescue and recovery were synchronistically interwoven with the community she’d spent her life building. Just for one example: the off-duty sheriff who stopped to control traffic and reassure the anxious fire rescue team knew Molly Sensei because they trained in Aikido together.In the grueling months that followed her catastrophic spinal cord injury, it was this same loving Aikido community that surrounded her in the hospital—bringing her meals, holding her, and supporting an astonishing recovery that continues to defy all medical expectations.The initial medical prognosis delivered was devastating: doctors told her she would never have any movement below her shoulders again. But, armed with her wisdom of the body’s potential—particularly from her work in Continuum and of course, Aikido—Molly Sensei quietly refused to accept their limitations, choosing not to wrap her identity around their dire diagnosis.Taking her healing into her own hands, about six weeks after the accident, she contacted her chiropractor, Bill Ruck. Because he didn’t have privileges at Stanford Hospital, Bill had to sneak into her room in the dead of night. With the utmost care, he opened the “clamshell” of her restrictive halo brace and meticulously tapped her ribs and clavicle back into place (the sheer force of the impact had blown her ribs right off her sternum.)When the physicians arrived for their morning rounds just twelve hours later, they were astounded to find Molly suddenly able to shrug her shoulders and then some. Knowing the strict hospital rules that had been surreptitiously bypassed to achieve this breakthrough, Molly couldn’t tell the doctors how her mobility had so suddenly returned.Her rehabilitation ultimately led her back to the element where she felt the most free and safe: the water. A self described water baby, she’d been a competitive swimmer and coached the boys she wasn’t allowed to officially beat in races. She spent hours upon hours in a warm water therapy pool, allowing the hydrostatic massage and resonant field of the water to gently stimulate her tissues.It was a painstakingly slow process; taking almost seven full years for her to get her legs underneath her enough to simply stand up in the pool and trust that she wouldn’t collapse. That relentless dedication paid off, and today she uses the water to walk, do yoga, squats, and of course, teach Aikido.Her profound drive to reclaim her life didn’t stop in the pool. Molly Sensei successfully petitioned her insurance and medical teams to become the first adult quadriplegic in her program permitted to ride a horse. This incredible undertaking culminated in her riding horseback down into the crater of a dormant volcano on the island of Maui.But to me, the most miraculous part of Molly’s ongoing journey is how lucky we all are that she continues to teach Aikido.Today she teaches with her husband, Jeremy at their home dojo, Aikido of Penn Valley in the hallowed foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains. Instructing from her wheelchair, she imparts the most refined elements of the art: how to move a partner entirely without force, and how to maintain connection, dignity, and balance even when “stepping off the line” is physically impossible.Molly Sensei’s teaching philosophy focuses on the essence of internal connection and the practice of doing no harm. By exploring the purest forms of Musubi and Takemusu Aiki, she demonstrates that true power lies in a generous heart and a centered presence.She stands as a breathtaking reminder of what a true, indomitable spirit looks like.I could keep going, but I’ll let you listen for yourself. It’s way better than I’ve described… Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Sam Zeitlin, a remarkable thinker and Aikidoka whose life-path exemplifies the very synthesis many of us are seeking.Sam has cultivated a fascinating, multidisciplinary practice that defies easy categorization…She’s been practicing Aikido since 2010 in the enchanted Bay Area, mostly at City Aikido with Robert Nadeau Sensei. Simultaneously, Sam holds a PhD in cellular and molecular structure and chemistry, having spent two decades working in hard science—cell biology and cancer research, before transitioning to “tech”.She also maintains a deep and extensive yoga practice, a path found while rehabilitating from old injuries, guided by the principle of ahimsa (do no harm to others… or yourself).And she sings!It’s quite amazing how the methodical world of the research lab, the quiet, inward path of yoga, and the dynamic, connective practice of Aikido—sync up masterfully into a cohesive philosophy.There was so much to talk about, we didn’t even get to talk about music!Sam eloquently describes how she views all these seemingly disparate fields as mutually reinforcing. For example; the commitment to falling down and getting up over and over again at the dojo almost perfectly correlates to her scientific experiment experience, where failure is literally the key to success.(sorry I couldn’t resist writing “experiment experience”)Ideally, the most profound breakthroughs in science require a beginner’s mind, the Socratic willingness to admit “we know nothing” and to keep searching for first principles. This combination of prudence and intellectual rigor is what makes Sam’s perspective so refreshing.Her pursuit of a more open, fluid, and centered self—one she cultivated under the spiritual, energetic instruction of Robert Nadeau Sensei—leads to the episode’s most mind-bending discussion—a conversation that will change your relationship with physics. (Sorry, I shouldn’t assume I know anything about your relationship with physics, you might have figured all this out already. I know mine’s pretty complicated.)While she humbly attributes the undertaking of this study (time manipulation) to her teachers, she adroitly describes the dimensional shift in consciousness achieved through the practice of Jiyu Waza. (I know it probably doesn’t need to be capitalized, but I think it’s important enough to warrant it)It’s the ability to process and handle incoming force and energy, to slow the moment down within yourself, giving you freer space to feel where things are going.It’s the entering into a mind-state that allows the nervous system to circumvent the instant panic of ‘fight-or-flight’.Caught up in the oftentimes tumultuous current of “world events”, this ability to slow it all down is, quite frankly, a superpower.In retrospect (if you listen to the episode you’ll get it) I want to retract what I said I want my superpower to be. I want to change it to the above.Sam is one of the rare people who can seamlessly apply the geometrical and philosophical analogy of the circle and the line to the particle and the wave—and then bring it back to how we should interact with each other during stressful moments.As I mentioned at the beginning of the episode, we didn’t get to talk as much as I wanted to about her brilliant writing, but I’m sure you’ll love it. Please do check it out here: Sam’s BlogThanks for listening!Ki to the City is a reader-supported publication. Your generous support makes it possible for me to continue this project and bring these incredible conversations to life. If this work resonates with you, I humbly ask for your help in keeping the podcast on “the air” by signing up to be a paid subscriber.If you’d care to make a one-time contribution, or maybe have some editing work for me, you can email me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com, and as a token of gratitude, you’ll receive a copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective work of meditative poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Hi, hope you’re all doing well out there in the aether.My temperamental tablet is delaying the publication of a few wonderful conversations that I’ve already recorded. Sorry for the dearth of new episodes lately.I hope to get this technical difficulty resolved as soon as humanly possible, or in this case, as soon as computerly possible.Hardware issues aside, I am beyond thrilled to announce the first project for my ultra-exciting new publishing venture. A book by Kayla Feder Sensei!Those of you who listened to my interview with Kayla Sensei already know that her story is nothing short of magical and will serve as inspiration for those of us already practicing Aikido, as well as a guiding light for people who might otherwise find her words and be moved to join a dojo.If you haven’t heard this one yet, what are you waiting for? Here’s the link: Open your heartKayla Sensei reminds us that within every human being is a spark of the divine—a bright light of love, compassion, and beauty. This upcoming work will dive deep into these concepts, sharing her historic lineage, her connection to nature, and her wisdom on opening the heart to transform conflict.We’re just getting started, can’t wait to see how this is going to turn out! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the honor of conversing with Marco Rubatto Sensei, from Hara Kai dojo in Torino, Italy.For nearly twenty years, Marco Sensei’s been creatively documenting a journey that began with the Iwama tradition and which finds him now an esteemed member of the (really really cool) Evolutionary Aikido Community. His brilliant website, Aikime.blogspot.com is a veritable goldmine of thoughtful articles and instructive videos.His writing transcends descriptors, and his perspective on Aikido is multidimensionally fascinating; drawing inspiration from transpersonal psychology, integrated medicine, and the spiritual lineage of Father Anthony Elenjimitem—Catholic priest / Yogi / Buddhist monk, and direct student of Mahatma Gandhi!Rather than try to describe how deep this conversation gets, I’ll just quote a line from Marco Sensei himself,“Through the spiritual practice, the physical, the mental, you can reach the “primal” way to think. The non-dual way to think. Blend with what’s not working”I put the word “primal” in parentheses because Marco Sensei is not using that word with the meaning that it’s typically associated with.You’ll have to listen to the episode, (or check out his amazing writing) to get what he’s getting at, but it’s pretty mind-blowing.I felt invigorated and inspired after this conversation and I hope listening to it can have that effect on you as well.Thanks for helping me keep this little boat afloat! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I apologize if it’s been a bit quiet on the podcast front.I’m willing to attribute to destiny the fact that my last few scheduled conversations kind of canceled last minute.It’s totally understandable from a cosmic viewpoint: life is complicated.I’ve been so busy working on the “new phase” of this project that I haven’t had the time to follow up with people or try to book new guests as diligently as I should have.The momentum of weekly interviews has been kind of halted, but I’m embracing it as a necessary pause to bring you some exciting news.Before I get into that, though, I want to put an open invite out into the ether:If anyone listening to or reading this has any desire to come on the show and talk about Aikido, please don’t hesitate. Reach out to me!I’m open to exploring anyone’s perspective.You don’t need to be a 7th Dan Shihan to have a voice here. Even if you just started training yesterday, or if you’re still thinking about starting but for whatever reason you haven’t yet, I want to hear from you.This podcast is an exploration of the art from all angles, and the beginner’s mind is just as vital as the seasoned sensei’s.Let’s have some conversations.Now, onto the reason I’ve been so deeply preoccupied lately.The Ki to the City podcast has successfully engaged and connected a wide-ranging global audience of listeners. Thus far, we’ve been exploring how the philosophical principles of Aikido and its sincere practice can actually work to make the world a better place, even through the most troublesome, atomizing times.As I’ve scoured the internet for research—reading articles, posts, and old forum threads, looking for guests—I’ve had a sobering realization. A vast amount of the profound wisdom generated by our global Aikido community exists merely in ephemeral online formats.It’s trapped in fleeting social media disagreements, buried in hard-to-find comment threads, or scattered across blogs that might very well forever vanish if, God forbid, the “grid” ever really goes down.In this cybernetic dystopic spiral, digital discourse can be, and easily is, washed away in the vicious, swirling, scrolling “news cycle.”Printed books offer a more tactile experience. They possess a tangible quality for which a blog post can posit no substitute. They can also serve as lasting artifacts for current and future generations to hold, study, and cherish.That’s why I’m thrilled to announce the launch of an independent, Aikido-themed publishing house (more like an apartment) via this Ki to the City platform!The hope is to expand the reach and longevity of Aikido’s positive societal effects beyond our digital screens. Maybe we could put down our phones for a few minutes.There are so many brilliant, as-of-yet unheard voices in our sphere who might never otherwise be able to secure opportunities with traditional publishing companies. And furthermore, many people simply don’t realize that they don’t need to spend a ton of money to self-publish.This is where my (semi) professional background comes in.I’ve done some work as a freelance creative editor and ghostwriter, successfully guiding numerous authors through the self-publishing process.Over the past few months, I’ve re-dedicated myself to conducting exhaustive, meticulous research into the print-on-demand (POD) self-publishing ecosystem.It’s pretty boring, actually. But somehow I’m able to lock in and figure it out.The result of this research is the creation of a high-efficiency, economical, ecological, independent publishing system that is specifically tailored to benefit both the author and the community.This new publishing arm of Ki to the City is poised to produce high-quality pieces, ensuring the spirit of these essential voices is secured in a format worthy of their content.I’m excited to share that I already have two—possibly three—projects currently in the works! Much more on that soon to come. I’m working hard to get these first editions formatted, edited, and ready for the world.So, if you have a manuscript sitting in a drawer, a collection of unfinished docs, or even just the seed of an idea for a book about your Aikido journey, please reach out to me. And remember, if you want to be a guest on the podcast to talk about your practice, regardless of your rank or experience level, the door is always open.Don’t be shy. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

“Aikido was forged in the crucible of war. The Aikido we know bloomed in the era of peace.”Is it possible to speak of “Post-War” Aikido anymore?How long were we ever actually living, Post-War?I want to keep this written intro brief. I have an aversion to trying to write eloquently about grave situations. Everything I could potentially say feels pretentious.In a situation like this, it’s better to let the conversation speak for itself.Miles Kessler Sensei teaches out of the Integral Dojo in Tel Aviv, Israel, and this conversation finds him literally in the crucible of war himself, as he speaks expecting sirens warning him to head to the nearest bomb shelter.(To learn more about Miles Sensei’s incredible background, check out his first appearance. LinkIt’s in this real-world context that his profound philosophy—Aikido not as a path of peace, but a path of conflict, with peace as the byproduct of good conflict done well—is called to action.Miles Sensei’s most powerful application of Aikido off the mat is his frank discussion of trauma. He describes how trauma—whether personal, generational, or societal—causes us to retreat and polarize, locking us into patterns that perpetuate the past.The ultimate work of the spiritual warrior is to purify this inherited and active trauma, allowing us to hold conflict in a way that becomes the catalyst for evolutionary development.Miles Sensei challenges us to move beyond the easy binaries of “us versus them,” arguing that true spiritual progress requires us to wrestle with the moral dilemmas of the present moment. When nothing is reliable, the path of practice is the only constant.He also reminds us that we are not doomed, that there may still be some adults in the room willing to meet the present conflict with a broader, deeper perspective, ready to move humanity forward with a practical, uncompromising spiritual framework for modern existence. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

“Ki to the City” was originally conceived as a way to address the seemingly shaky future of Aikido (specifically, in my own life). In this episode, I’m honored to speak with someone who is not just thinking about the problem aloud but providing concrete, actionable, and expert solutions.My guest has built a platform (and an app) that achieves what I’ve only vaguely dreamed of: addressing the critical need for a more effective branding of Aikido.Sasa Starovojtov (from Dokiai Dojo in Ljubljana, Slovenia) is a compelling voice challenging the status quo with equal parts compassion and commercial acumen. His dojo’s name perfectly encapsulates his mission: to offer “another way to look at Aikido.”Sasa’s path to the mat is as unique as his current contribution. He discovered the art purely by chance, walking past a sign in Prague. He instantly connected with Aikido’s non-competitive spirit, finding it a soothing balm to the “scorekeeping” mindset that had ruined games for him since childhood.Over 25 years later, this commitment to non-conflict is a defining feature of his life; as he shared, since joining the dojo, he’s never had to fight—physically or verbally.Before founding his dojo, Sasa had already carved out a long and successful professional career in marketing, rising to roles like Sales and Marketing Director for a software company and working for world-famous agencies like Leo Burnett. This eclectic background—martial artist and seasoned branding expert—is what makes his perspective on the art of Aikido so vital.Sasa’s Substack, Aikicraft.org, and his revolutionary new app, Brandician.ai, in my own humble opinion, are essential tools for anyone struggling with how to keep Aikido relevant in their own communities. I implore you to click those links… He points to real-world data suggesting Aikido could be on a “path to extinction,” while Aikidoka are mostly “marketing to ourselves,” failing to explain the art’s true value to people who’ve never stepped on a mat.Aikicraft.org is Sasa’s offered antidote, a valuable resource for Dojo Cho who are, like he was himself, left with little practical guidance on how to run, grow, or market a dojo.Aikicraft is divided into four critical sections: Why we train, The hard look (a necessary criticism of institutional problems), Teach better (advocating for the use of modern sports science), and Applied Aikido (his “Marketing-Do” series).This work has culminated in Brandician.ai, a powerful web app created with his partners that he’s currently offering for free to the Aikido community.As he explains on the podcast, a professional branding package for could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000. His ingenious app guides the user through an in-depth process starting with a founder interview, generates a questionnaire to survey customers, and ultimately creates a Brand Hub—a comprehensive guide covering brand strategy, visual identity, and tone of voice, rooted in the art of storytelling.Sasa’s work is firmly planted in the Jobs to be Done (JTBD) theory from the branding world: many people are not interested in buying “traditional martial arts”—they are hiring us to do a job for them. That job could be to achieve more mindfulness, to be a better parent, or to be comfortable speaking in front of a group of people. Sasha contends that by framing the practice in this way, we can ensure its survival.To Sasa, marketing is Aikido—a process of harmonization. You can’t fight the market; you must take ukemi and move with it. This dimensional shift in consciousness could be what’s required for the art to once again flourish.(Until/unless I can find some sponsors ;) Ki to the City remains a reader-supported publication. If you have benefited from this project, please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber to help keep the podcast on “the airwaves.”If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution, you can email me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com.As a token of my gratitude, and Don Dickie Sensei’s generosity, you will receive a complimentary copy of his deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido.Thank you!!! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

For those of us who practice Aikido on the regular, we already intimately feel the profound and magical impact it has on everyday life, specifically when it comes to enhancing our ability to harmoniously communicate both verbally and physically with others (occasional social media discourse notwithstanding).But what happens when you take that intuitive conviction and subject it to the rigorous scrutiny of peer-reviewed academic research?The result is the groundbreaking work of Dr. Greet Angèle De Baets, a Sensei from Ban Sen Juku Aikido in Belgium, whose doctoral research has provided us with compelling, scientific proof that the principles we exercise on the mat are, indeed, powerful tools for improving real-world communication.I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. De Baets (albeit from about 3,600 miles away) to discuss her fascinating personal journey and the findings of her PhD thesis, Embodied Learning With and From Aikido: A Mixed-Methods Investigation Into Teaching Intercultural Communication Skills for the Workplace.(The PDF is available for all; just reach out to me and I’ll get you in touch!)It was an absolute delight to talk with a professor of linguistics whose intellectual curiosity and acumen is matched only by her visceral commitment to embodying the principles of Aikido.Greet Sensei’s introduction to Aikido, was, like many of ours, through seemingly sheer coincidence. Following a life-changing horseback riding accident, she was left with spinal difficulties and chronic migraines. In her search for relief, she was introduced to Tai Chi by one of her students. That same Tai Chi teacher also taught Aikido…There’s much more depth to this origin story than I can convey here in this little blurb, so, please, listen to the episode.A synchronistic start led her to the Ban Sen Juku lineage in Belgium with a local Sensei who happened to be a direct student of Seiji Tomita Sensei.While his name was new to me, discovered while researching for the interview, the impressive depth and breadth of Tomita Shihan’s background is immediately apparent.Having trained under Tanaka Bansen Sensei, Tohei Sensei, and Saito Sensei, (and, of course, most importantly, directly with O-Sensei himself) Tomita Shihan’s approach is marked by a clear focus on the “one line” and a sincere adherence to ki musubi—connection and unification with your partner.Dr. De Baets speaks with glowing reverence for individual instruction she’s received from Tomita Sensei, and it’s clear how his teachings form a foundational stone for her communication work.At the heart of her methodology is the belief that communication is not purely cognitive. Professional communication training is predominantly passive: slide-based, power-point presentations, focused solely on intellectual understanding. Dr. De Baets challenges this head-on. She literally removes the chairs and tables from the room, using simple, “white belt” level tai sabaki as the theory itself—a powerful somatic metaphor—to teach interaction.She emphasizes that communication “lives in breathing, voice, attitude, timing, presence,” and you cannot learn that by sitting down. What you are learning must be embodied.Dr. De Baets’ research provides compelling, quantitative (we already have plenty of the qualitative) proof that the “Aikido Interaction Model” and the embodied learning experience have a powerfully positive effect on interpersonal (and beyond) interactions. Her findings demonstrate that incorporating Aikido activities into communication training significantly supports participant satisfaction, memory retention, and—most importantly for a population riddled with conflict and societal atomization—intercultural competence.Ultimately, Dr. De Baets’ work offers an elegant and sophisticated answer to a question many of us have sensed instinctively for years: that our practice is more than a martial art.By aligning her findings with progressive linguistic theories, she reveals another profound conclusion—that Aikido can be understood as a language—a language of social interaction, body movement, sensory experience, and contextual meaning-making.If you’ve ever needed “evidence-based” validation for your dedication to practice, this is the episode for you.Tune in to discover how tranquility and anthropocosmic nobility can transform how we interact and influence the world around us.Here are the relevant links:BlogProfessional website Greet Sensei’s local dojo Main Dojo and lineageOnce again, please reach out to me (or Dr. De Baets) directly for a PDF of her thesis.Also, (Until/unless I can find some sponsors ;) Ki to the City remains a reader-supported publication. If you have benefited from this project, please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber to help keep the podcast on “the airwaves.”If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution, you can email me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com.As a token of my gratitude, and Don Dickie Sensei’s generosity, you will receive a complimentary copy of his deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido.Thank you!!! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I haven’t done one of these “solo episodes” in a while.I know I promised I wouldn’t anymore because I felt like I was making it too much about “me,” but a guest rescheduled at the last minute and I don’t want to break the momentum of putting out at least one episode a week.I’m superstitious like that.So, here’s a short story I’m working on for one of the many books I’ll probably never publish.It’s a ‘ruff’ draft.I’m not gonna lie, sometimes I get pretty down on myself…Wow! I just got hit with some acute ‘deja vu.’It probably never really actually happened, but I just got struck with this vivid memory of being told sternly that I should never start off a sentence (in writing) with, “I’m not gonna lie.”For the record, it’s part of my everyday lingo, and I want to stay true to my vernacular.Now, I just got hit with another major ‘deja vu’ memory of being told that I should never write about ‘deja vu.’Anyway… sometimes I get pretty down on myself.I know I’m not alone in this.Anyone with a modicum of humility understands what we’re all up against: how difficult it is to maintain a joyful connection to the universe at all times, not to mention unwavering confidence in all the impractical ideas we have for how to ‘make the world a better place,’ etc…And sometimes I question my obsessive dedication to practicing aikido, trudging along with my podcast, and whatever other aerial designs I have in my head of pursuing/promoting this art I love as a vocation (of sorts).But last Wednesday, at least, my trip to the dojo paid some karmic dividends.Practice itself was fine. That’s not what this story is about. I was leading the class; we had a visitor from Japan, so I made sure my etiquette was on point.It was while walking to the train station after class when I felt like, for a brief moment at least, my life had a greater purpose.When we all left the dojo, I wanted to properly say thank you and goodbye to our Japanese visitor, so I bowed.As I was mid-bow, two rambunctious young men swaggered brusquely past with some extra attitude. One of them bumped into me. His reaction indicated placing blame on me for the bump. The other one remarked that I looked like I was trying to kiss somebody or something.I just laughed and said, “Oh sorry… sorry… my fault.”As I walked to the train, my inner monologue was peppered with praise about how proud I was of myself for not overreacting to the minor pedestrian slight.This lulled me into a daydream (even though it wasn’t day) of previous instances where I had to temper my temper when bumped into or otherwise inconvenienced by my fellow serfs in the city who didn’t bother to apologize.I was snapped out of this reverie when I heard a little dog’s sharp yelp.Ahead of me, navigating the icy, garbage-laden terrain, were two young women walking a dirty white toy poodle.I feel bad calling the poodle dirty, but it was. All white with muddy paws and those black tear stains that some dogs get.It cried out because one of the girls stepped on it.She blamed him (or her, I didn’t check) because it kept “walking between” her feet.The leash they had wasn’t a choke chain; it was one of those retractable leashes, but they had it let out all the way, at full length.I was walking about 10 paces behind, and I offered a barely audible “aww, are you okay?”No one probably heard me but myself.As we kept walking, me now shaken fully out of my reverie of past potential scuffles, reflecting on how Aikido really maybe has made me a better person, I started thinking like, “Yeah, but what am I actually doing with my life? You know?”The euphoria of teaching a well-received class was already starting to dissolve, and I started musing about ‘my troubles’.As I approached the crosswalk; my attention shifted back to the young women with the poor, unkempt little poodle.The light was about to turn red, and one of the young women (I’ll call her “girl-number-one”) decided to run across the street to catch up to somebody.She yelled out a name. “Maya.”At first, I thought that was the dog’s name, but she was yelling it out up ahead while she ran, and it wouldn’t have made sense to yell out the dog’s name like that.Meanwhile, girl-number-two, the one holding the dog (not named Maya) on the unretracted leash, decided not to cross the street.She stopped short as the light flashed red.The poodle, however, wanted to follow girl-number-one, so he (or she) darted up ahead after her. And, because the leash was at full length, the little muddy-pawed dog was able to scamper across the street without any hindrance to its mobility.I saw this scene unfurl in slow motion, without all the verbiage.A voice in my head said, “Oh S**t! That dog’s about to get hit.”And sure enough, I saw a car, trying to make the light, speed through the intersection.Now, I don’t know if my voice can actually arrest canine movement through sound waves, but in that moment, I tried it anyway. I yelled out, “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!”In essence, I barked.The little dog stopped (not, thank God) dead in its tracks. A split second before it would’ve been crushed beneath the left front tire, it jumped back, turned around, looked at me like I said something it understood, and ran towards me.I paid no attention to girl-number-two. Girl-number-one was long gone.I’m too self-conscious about sounding like a fussy, old, concerned citizen to have offered any admonishment. Instead, I talked to the dog directly. I said, “You need to be careful when you cross the street; you’re going to get hit by a car. It’s very dangerous.”The dog looked up at me like it got my point. I know it probably didn’t, but it looked at me like it did and sat at my feet.Girl-number-two said “thank you” kind of nonchalantly. Like I said, I don’t want to get into it with people. I don’t want to judge them for their attitudes or their ability to take responsibility. I don’t want to come across like an old man who tells people what to do.Not for nothing, but this is the third dog-life I’ve saved.The previous two were little dogs that were about to get killed by big dogs. In both scenarios, the big dog had the little dog in its mouth, and I ran over and picked the big dog up by the collar and just yelled loudly in its face, “No!” The big dog dropped the little dog and then kind of apologized to me.I know it sounds a little bit far-fetched (get it?), but it really happened. Twice.Anyway, as far as last Wednesday night goes, I’m not saying that I’ve gained any special powers through my obsessive Aikido practice enabling me to stop potentially destructive actions through sound waves.My point is: if I didn’t go to class, I wouldn’t have been in the position to save that dog’s life.So at least for a fleeting moment, I felt like I was on the right track.Maybe that little dirty poodle’s destiny is to do something great. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Here’s Part II of my recent interview with Chris Thorsen Sensei, distinguished senior student of Richard Moon Sensei and board member at Aiki Extensions.If you heard Part I, you’ll surely already be in awe of his remarkable life—an inspiring journey he describes as a series of “intuitive jumps off cliffs.”If you haven’t heard it yet, don’t delay! Here it is: Part IIn this newest episode, Thorsen Sensei continues to share powerful examples from his consulting career, including turnaround work at Kaiser Permanente’s IT team and a critical intervention at Intel, demonstrating the systemic and strategic application of Aikido principles in the pressure-packed world of high-stakes corporate operations.Most impressive/inspiring to me is the conflict-resolution project that he and Richard Moon Sensei undertook with Cypriot leaders. Their work in Cyprus stands (to me, at least) as one of the most profound examples of the application of Aikido principles to real-world conflict resolution.As many of you may already know, Cyprus has been deeply divided since the 1960s, after a crisis still resonating palpable resentment, marked by the presence of the “Green Line,” a United Nations-controlled neutral zone that literally separates the Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south.The strategy employed by the two trailblazing Sensei was to focus on multi-track diplomacy, engaging with community leaders, heads of companies, media organizations, and nonprofits—the high leaders of culture below the political level. The methodology used was the core combination of Aikido and dialogue.Workshops brought together mixed groups of Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, teaching them the non-competitive, cooperative aspects of Aikido.The physical practice of centering, blending, and getting off the line was successfully integrated as a method for navigating conflict in the verbal realm.This groundbreaking project showed how an Aiki-dialogue methodology could enable players entrenched in deep, systemic conflict to cohere, generating new possibilities for resolution and transformation (even post-war), by providing a method to physically and verbally step into a field of cooperation rather than competition.In this episode, you’ll also hear about the related program Chris Sensei, in conjunction with Aiki Extensions, has recently established. This exciting initiative focuses on assisting Aikido dojo leaders in taking their practice off the mat and into their local communities.Anyone interested in applying Aikido principles to community betterment should follow up with Aiki Extensions (here) for more information.And, in case you haven’t heard, Aiki Extensions also generously offers seed grants (up to $1,000) for projects that are focused on moving Aikido off the mat and into engagement in the world in non-martial ways.I’m sure there are some great ideas out there that could use some funding to get off the ground.To further explore the rich history of Thorsen Sensei’s work from 1985 to 2005, you can visit quantumedge.org.And for a deeper understanding of the current iteration of his crucial work in embodiment and systemic change, please visit inquiryintoconsciousness.com.Now, let’s pick up where we left off…. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Long-time student of Richard Moon Sensei and integral board member of Aiki Extensions, Chris Thorsen Sensei’s life is a remarkable testament to the power of intuition, embodied practice, and a deep commitment to true systemic change.Spanning over 50 years, his incredible career path has been characterized by bringing the principles of Aikido off the mat and into the world, transforming organizational culture and leadership. For the better.This will be a two-part episode. Considering the breadth and depth of Chris Sensei’s experience and the important work he’s doing. It was impossible to reduce mora than half a century of spiritual wisdom in action to a 72 minute conversation.Chris Sensei’s journey is marked by a series of what he calls “intuitive jumps off cliffs”—unreasonable, yet profoundly guiding, decisions. At age 12, his first break with inherited culture happened during a trip with the Episcopal Church acolytes to a park in southern Illinois. He discovered a brass plaque on a promontory that detailed how a village of Native Americans had been surrounded and starved to death by the “bluecoats” (Christians). This shocking realization led him to question his involvement in the church and marked the beginning of his distrust and questioning of societal structures.This intuitive questioning reached a crescendo during his time enlisted in the military. A desire for education had led him to the Army’s language school in Monterey, but a moral conflict soon erupted following the Gulf of Tonkin incident. An intuitive flash that the (now proven to be a false flag) incident was not what it appeared to be on the surface, spurred his declaration for conscientious objector status, a period that included a profound three-week vow of silence.This early act of non-cooperation and adherence to an inner truth became a foundational example of listening to the whispers of intuitive guidance, a theme that would later define his life’s work.After his discharge, a solitary two-year period in the wilderness led to writing haiku and an introduction to Rinzai Zen, establishing a diligent practice of Zazen that served as a crucial precursor to his path in Aikido. This spiritual rooting, combined with his work as a creativity consultant and later a crisis counselor, brought him face-to-face with the human cost of dysfunctional corporate culture. Seeking a grounded calm amidst the tumultuous melee of crisis work, he fortuitously found Aikido.His Aikido lineage is central to his mission. He began training with Richard Moon Sensei, who was running a small dojo (in a former chicken shack) focused on a shared inquiry into the art, and crucially emphasized jiyū-waza (freestyle practice). This liberating practice heightened Chris Sensei’s ability to function intuitively, and viscerally.His training deepened under Robert Nadeau Sensei, whose teaching focused on energy as the primary study of Aikido—the Aikido that cannot be seen with the human eye. These two teachers empowered Thorsen Sensei’s realization that he needed to get “upstream of the problems” by working directly with leaders, thereby discovering his bestowed mission to transform organizational culture.This mission was realized when a former client, and Vietnam veteran, Jim Dixon. (You really gotta listen to the episode to hear how amazing Jim’s story is!) hired him as the cultural development consultant for the startup Cellular One, San Francisco.This opportunity led to a whirlwind run with Moon Sensei at his side, building Cellular One and later Nextel across the country. Their core methodology was teaching “non-falling Aikido” partnered with David Bohm’s Dialogue.Through the realization that “Dialogue is a verbal Aikido and Aikido is a physical form of dialogue”, they taught teams how to handle pressure and conflict and, critically, how to make intuitive declarations for breakthroughs by embodying the principles of centered, grounded, and flowing presence. This unique approach led to the construction of a national cellular system in record time, all while maintaining their cultural declaration to “not lose one family”, an unprecedented success in the industry.Since 2000, Thorsen Sensei’s work has evolved beyond direct corporate consulting to handing off the kit of his methodologies to what he calls “free radicals”—consultants and internal change agents working in large organizations and nonprofits to make systemic level change.This work is ongoing and deeply informed by his spiritual and martial arts background, and will covered at length in the next episode which will follow this one in a few days.So stay tuned!!To learn more about his amazing journey and the application of these principles check out his two websites.For stories of the corporate work from 1985 to 2005, mostly covered in this first episode: quantumedge.orgFor the current iteration of his ever-important work which will be covered in part II: inquiryintoconsciousness.comEnjoy! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Setsubun!According to Shinto, it’s today, Feb. 3rd..Setsubun literally translates to “seasonal division.” While, historically, it referred to the eve of any of the four seasons, it now specifically marks the day before the beginning of Spring (according to the old calendar of Japan.)It’s essentially a spiritual “spring cleaning” to drive out the bad energy of the previous year and welcome a fresh start.Feels like we sure could use some energetic refreshment right about now.And, I couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate/celebrate this auspicious occasion than inviting Koichi Barrish Sensei back on the show to share his impressions on what this time of year signifies and how we can attune ourselves more harmoniously to the greater cosmic cycle.(Apologies for the brief technical issue in the beginning of our talk. I want to get this episode out today, for obvious reasons, so I didn’t have time to edit it much. There’s a few seconds of a glitchiness, hope you can look past the imperfections…)In this timely episode, Barrish Sensei explains how Setsubun is the Kyo, or “still point,” between the Earth’s yin phase of accumulating energy and the coming yang phase of releasing it. This energetic hinge marks the solar New Year and is analogous to the European Imbolc.This particular Setsubun (2026), is astrologically and energetically profound in many ways. The year’s specific currents are described in detail through the three aspects of Japanese astrology: Ten, Chi, and Jin (Heaven, Earth, and Humanity). The heavenly and earthly responses (Ten and Chi) align to make this the year of Hinoe Uma, or the “cardinal fire horse.” This energy is intensely expansive and explosive—fire on top of fire—and its core teaching is that nothing remains obscured. All things that have been hidden are revealed because, metaphorically, the sun is directly overhead and casts “no shadow.”However, the third, or human, element (Jin) provides the necessary counter-strategy. Represented this year by Ippaku Suisei (One White Water Ki), the human response calls for a period of deep, yin-like gathering and observation. The ultimate lesson, or strategy, is to utilize the expansive, powerful energy imbued cosmically, while acting from a place of perspective and distance.According to Barrish Sensei, this is the perfect moment for Aiki: a response that stems from intensely and carefully held verticality between heaven and earth. This Aiki response allows one to remove obstructions, clarify our personal mission, and tap into the powerful flow of the life stream to influence the arc of the system in a more positive way. This is the great challenge and opportunity for all who seek harmony in a world undergoing profound and unprecedented change.But don’t take my word for it. Listen to the episode and hear Barrish Sensei describe the whole current cosmic situation in his unique, wise, and spirited way.And please check out what he’s doing over at Kannagara Inari Salon I’ve been (virtually) attending his Chouhai ceremony every weekend and it’s had a very positive influence on my state of mind ever since I started. And if you’re new to the podcast, and haven’t heard my two previous talks with Barrish Sensei, I’ll make it easy for you to find them:Aikido and the way of the Gods IAikido and the way of the Gods IIPlease consider supporting Ki to the City!If you find value in these deep explorations of Aikido and philosophy, please consider supporting the podcast. Upgrade to a paid subscriber, or if you’d like to make a one-time contribution reach out to me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com.As a thank you, donors, and new paid subscribers will receive a copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s beautiful book of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido—the perfect companion piece for spiritual, and martial inquiry.And Sunday was my birthday, if that tips the scales :) Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I got the keys to the dojo’s Instagram account now, so I’m working on my video editing skills.I interviewed Nico back in October. If you’re new here, or you somehow missed that one, check it out here: Nico Puertollano interviewAnd… If you got any tips on using Instagram effectively (whatever that means) please let me know. I appreciate all adviceBy the way, I don’t know if you are seeing the automatic subtitles. A lot of them are obviously wrong, but they’re kind of funny. And I don’t really now how to turn them off yet… Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I’m excited to share this incredibly expansive discussion with Steve Macramalla, long-time student of Linda Holiday Sensei at Aikido of Santa Cruz.(Regular listeners know what a positive influence Linda Holiday Sensei has had on myself and this project. Her ongoing commitment to transmitting heart-centered wisdom has been a major catalyst for the perseverance of this podcast.)In addition to his Aikido pursuit, Steve is also a professor of Cognitive Psychology and teaches Chi’en-Lung Kung Fu at Six animals Kung Fu. This combination makes him the perfect conversational partner for attempting to tackle the whole “mind-body” question that I can never seem to satisfactorily answer for myself.His book, Unleash the Dragon Within: Transform Your Life with the Kung-Fu Animals of Ch’ien-Lung, is ostensibly a guide to personal transformation through martial arts.Drawing on over thirty years of training under his enigmatic Sifu, Constantine Darling, Steve outlines how we can practice the embodiment of six specific animal archetypes (discussed in detail during our chat) to deliberately shift our mental, emotional, and physical states to better navigate conflict and achieve psychological well-being.The core of this episode, however, lies in unpacking Steve’s vast experience in the exploration of the aforementioned “mind-body” problem. This is the crossroad where the cognitive psychologist and the martial artist meet.Whether you’re interested in the science of how we learn, preserving the lineage of Kumano Aikido, or finding out how to “unleash the dragon” in your own practice, this episode is, if I may be be so bold, mandatory listening.Steve brings a sharp, academic precision to the proverbial table, but he delivers it with the warmth and humility of a dedicated Aikidoka. I really enjoyed this one, and I hope you will too!Please consider supporting Ki to the City!If you find value in these deep explorations of Aikido and philosophy, please consider supporting the podcast. Upgrade to a paid subscriber, or if you’d like to make a one-time contribution reach out to me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com.As a thank you, donors, and new paid subscribers will receive a copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s beautiful book of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido—the perfect companion piece for spiritual, and martial inquiry. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

One of the genuine benefits of (stubbornly) persisting with this project (despite the typical difficulties associated with the pursuit of wisdom vs monetary gain) is that when I hear a testimony so inspiring, so indicative of Aikido’s positive impact, it instantly assuages all doubt that I’m on the right path.Scott Berg Sensei’s early life was beset with some pretty significant challenges, beginning with being born deaf. His hearing was eventually gained around his third birthday, following a successful (second) attempt at tympanostomy tube insertion.This procedure, of which Scott Sensei was one of the earliest recipients, occurred after the natural developmental window for learning speech. As a result, he faced a severely delayed path in acquiring language.He struggled substantially to communicate verbally, noting that he could not pronounce his own name in the seventh grade. The severity of his difficulties led to a frightening (thankfully ignored) misdiagnosis when a psychiatrist at a children’s hospital suggested to his parents that he be institutionalized, because the doctor could not teach him to speak.Compounding his struggles, he experienced relentless bullying in school, which fostered a deep sense of social isolation and otherness. This adversity forged a unique psychological coping mechanism: he became a master of seeing the world in the third person, observing his own life with a narrative distance.This perspective cast him as an undeveloped character in his own story. Scott Sensei credits finding Aikido as the pivotal moment which helped him bridge this gulf, as he finally found a setting where he felt secure enough to connect, and began to write himself into the “first person” narrative. (He notes the full-circle irony of how his current focus is on how it’s not all about “you”.)Another aspect of his journey I find incredible is the breadth of his experience. Having trained in over 600 dojos (!), Scott Sensei has opened himself up to an almost incomprehensively vast array of lineage and culture, developing a perspective on Aikido that is both profoundly broad and remarkably deep. Thanks to this incredible talk with Scott Sensei, I‘m thrilled to learn of another great teacher and transmitter of O Sensei’s Aikido I’d previously never heard of, Hiroshi Kato Sensei.(I haven’t dug deep enough myself yet into Kato Sensei’s story to write anything of substance about him, but I do suggest you listen to this episode to hear Scott Sensei’s glowing affirmation of his Sensei’s relatively unheralded importance to the Aikido world.)Scott Sensei is also a thoughtful writer. I’ve been deeply inspired by my recent discovery of his Substack. That’s how I found him. (See, sticking with Substack is paying off, after all!)His ability to articulate the essential aiki-quest many of us find ourselves on with such eloquent brevity is amazing. His hard-earned voice is that rare combination of technical legitimacy and poetic vulnerability. I should take note…Recording this episode flew by. Which is how I know it was a good one. One of my personal favorites so far.Don’t miss it!And don’t forget to check out his dojo! Aikido of Alamo Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

This is an especially reflective time for Ki to the City, as we’re just days away from the first anniversary. (January 15th, if you’re curious)I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the encouraging and insightful interactions so far. I feel like I’ve grown as a person through this endeavor and I hope it shows…I sincerely hope to be able to continue and develop this project for a long time to come. Seriously. Thank you!In the spirit of growth and reflection, please enjoy this illuminating conversation I had with Patrick Cassidy Sensei, an integral bridge-builder between the worlds of martial arts and self development.Patrick sensei is dedicated to ensuring the modern relevance of Aikido as a profound tool for mastering fear, navigating real-world conflict, and achieving heightened awareness through the body.He possesses impeccable traditional and somewhat eclectic experience; from his time as an uchi-deshi with the legendary Morihiro Saito Sensei in Iwama, to the self-exploratory, human-potential-movement-tinged, training methods of Robert Nadeau Sensei in California.(There’s much more nuance to his incredible history, but I want you to listen to the episode, so I won’t give too much away here.)As the director of the Evolutionary Aikido Community, Patrick Sensei highlights how Aikido practice can serve as a technology for awakening to, and reorganizing of, the entire field of interaction. In this more holistic context, conflict is viewed, not a threat to be avoided, but an evolutionary driver to be transformed.Seen in this light, the Aikidoka can be described as an “alchemist,” entering directly into conflict itself and transmuting aggression into a higher order of connection and resolution.At his dojo, Aikido Montreux (in Montreux, Switzerland) Patrick Sensei maintains a dedicated Uchi Deshi program. Carrying the traditional torch he picked up during his formative time in Iwama, this program offers total immersion that also includes yoga, breath work, meditation, cold water misogi in a nearby river, and (the best part) a sauna.Reach out to him directly here, if that’s something you might be interested in learning more about.A short little teaser/blurb cannot do this episode justice. I implore you to tune in to hear Patrick Sensei describe how it all comes together…As we commemorate our first year, I need to humbly ask for your support to help keep this project on the “airwaves”. This podcast is a reader/listener-supported publication, and your contributions allow me to continue.There are two ways you can help: you can sign up to be a paid subscriber on Substack, or, if you would like to make a one-time contribution, please email me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com.As a token of my gratitude, anyone who makes a contribution will receive a copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Don Sensei has graciously donated 125 copies of this book to support this project, and it serves as a magnificent vehicle for active spiritual inquiry and attaining greater awareness. Get ‘em while you can!Sharing these conversations is my way of contributing to something meaningful, worthwhile, and good in the world and doing my best to honor the world family O-Sensei envisioned. Your support ensures that we can continue to strive to learn from amazing people like Patrick Cassidy and keep our communities thriving. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

I’m beyond thrilled to share this episode with you, as it marks the return of a truly exceptional teacher, artist, and now, published author under a major press.Richard Moon Sensei is here to discuss his brand-new book, Quantum Aikido: The Power of Harmony, being released today, January 6th!As many of you know from our first conversation, Moon Sensei possesses a background that is nothing short of cinematic. Training for over 55 years (mostly under Robert Nadeau Shihan, one of the few ‘westerners’ to study directly with O Sensei), his story stretches far beyond the mat; from the early psychedelic days hanging with Ram Dass and Timothy Leary, all the way to international peace work, participating in a major mediation project between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders.If you missed it, I highly suggest you check out this prior episode to hear more about his fascinating ‘origin story.’ [prior episode]When I first heard the title, Quantum Aikido, I have to be honest—I was hesitant. I usually shy away from anything labeled “Quantum,” fearing it might be too scientistic for my taste. However, the way Moon Sensei relates these high-level physics concepts to the visceral experience of Aikido has completely shifted my perspective. At least in this particular case. I finished reading the book the night before we spoke, and I can tell you personally, this is not a book you read once and put on the shelf. It’s dense with wisdom and written in a lurid, musical, prose that you need to sit with, digest, and revisit many many (many) times.Moon Sensei applies insights of quantum mechanics—concepts like wave-particle duality and the unified field theory—to the heart-centered depths of Aikido principles including, but not limited to: musubi and takemusu aiki.The book explores how the dualism of conflicting opposites is an illusion; instead, reality emanates from a unified field. The techniques we practice in the dojo are the “dust after the action.” The true study is what O-Sensei called the “realization of love” and the “Aikido that cannot be seen by the human eye.”Moon Sensei’s gift is unlocking our potential as human beings. He suggests that by harmonizing the discord in our own ‘selves’, we can tap into energetic sources that guide us to resolving problems with spontaneous creativity. I’m learning more and more how Aikido is not just about throwing people across the mat (although, that is so much fun); it’s the facilitation of an inter-dimensional shift in consciousness that transforms life from a struggle into a dance.Moon Sensei teaches us to surf the universal waves of change rather than fighting against them, using a spirit of reconciliation to allow every being the completion of their “bestowed mission.”Of course, we spent some time ruminating on the ‘Floating Bridge of Heaven,’ that mysterious immaterial zone of creation where complementary opposites seem to unite in a state of creative harmony, connecting to the single source from which everything emanates.We also discuss how we can learn to “feel better”—not just in the sense of seeking pleasant sensations,, but also in the sense of increasing sensitivity to the energy of life, allowing us to act with greater intelligence and compassion.I’m incredibly grateful to have connected with Richard Moon Sensei. His influence on my own life and practice over the past year has been nothing but positive. His way of “learning out loud” makes you feel like a fellow explorer on the edge of the known universe rather than just a thirsty student.Whether discussing the “thalamic pause” (a conscious gap before reacting) or how a perfect musical interval can mirror a perfect Aikido blend, his insights have provided me with tools to stay centered amidst the abstract terrors of modern society.Quantum Aikido, bridges ancient wisdom and the cutting-edge science of today. It’s a guide for anyone looking to cultivate a beautiful world through the art of peace and harmony.Check it out here!Quantum Aikido Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

As we roll through the holiday season, I’d like to take a quick moment to wish you all joy and felicity (I love that word).2025 has been quite interesting, to say the least. Am I right?This is an especially reflective time for me, specifically in regards to this podcast, as its one-year anniversary is coming up on January 15th.I’m deeply grateful for the subscriber support, the vast insight gleaned from my guests, and the quality interactions I’ve been fortunate enough to engage in over the past year.Aikido is (obviously) tremendously important to me, and I hope to be able to continue this project for as long as humanly possible, digging ever deeper and seeking new avenues to extend some more ki to the city.On this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tom Gardner Sensei, an integral long-time member and teacher at Bond Street Dojo.Tom Sensei has been a profoundly positive influence for me personally during the decade since I first joined Bond Street. He’s essential to the dedicated lineage of instructors ensuring that Aikido remembers its mission and maintains its relevance.Through four decades of diligent training at various world-renowned dojos, both in the U.S. and Japan, he’s refined a practice that balances astute technical savvy with an extraordinary exhibition of Aikido principles in action.In every class Tom Sensei leads, without fail, I find myself learning something new, whether it’s a subtle nuance in a weapons kata or a timely tip on how to further strengthen the “mind-body connection”.His approach to teaching is indicative of what makes Bond Street so special. Classes often feel like a collaborative workshop, where we test our ability to stay centered and calm under the intense pressures of conflict.In this conversation, we delve into Tom’s tremendous wealth of experience training with a myriad of well-respected (and sometimes polarizing) teachers.We also spend some time reflecting on the future viability of our beloved art.I don’t want to give too much of his profound secret wisdom away, so, please, check out the episode…By the way, there are still some limited copies of Don Dickie Sensei’s book, Silent Winds of Aikido, available.Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you are interested in receiving a copy, and I’ll fill you in on all the details.Happy New Year! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe

Kenneth Kron Sensei’s perspective on Aikido has been shaped by a truly remarkable lineage; he’s a long-time student of Robert Nadeau Shihan and Richard Moon Sensei.To understand the depth Kenneth Sensei brings to his practice, one must first consider the well he’s drawn from.Robert Nadeau Shihan is one of the few, fortunate, “westerners” to study directly with O-Sensei, bringing home a vision of Aikido which prioritizes the transformation of self and the shifting of dimensional awareness over physical combat. His influence on Aikido in America is enormous in importance.Richard Moon has trained with Nadeau Sensei for over 55 years, yet maintains a humble approach to instruction, frequently stating that he doesn’t teach, but is instead learning out loud. He focuses heavily on the “Aikido that cannot be seen,” prioritizing the energetic pulse and the transformation of awareness over physical mechanics.(If you’re new to this podcast and have not yet heard my previous interview with Richard Moon Sensei, I highly recommend it. Or, just wait a few weeks for when I speak to him about his upcoming book: Quantum Aikido.)Kenneth Sensei has been instrumental in preserving and transmitting this lineal wisdom via the popular YouTube channel: Moon Sensei.This channel acts as a vital digital dojo, archiving the “Centered Wisdom” that characterizes their unique exploration of the art.It’s a repository for those who seek to understand how aiki operates as a socio-organizational technology—something that can be used to reconcile the discords of daily life.Oh, and they got a Substack too! Quantum AikidoFair warning: our conversation gets pretty deep and personal.Could be a consequence of recording on the winter solstice.Speaking of, I want to take this moment to wish everyone reading/listening a very Happy Holiday.I’m hoping to get one more episode out before the New Year, but I don’t have anyone booked as of yet. If you have any suggestions/volunteers, let me know…Fret not, I got a full slate planned for January.I’d like to take a brief moment to remind you of Don Dickie Sensei’s generous offer from a few weeks ago.In support of the mission of this podcast, he’s graciously donated a limited number of copies of his deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido.This book is a magnificent vehicle for spiritual inquiry utilizing freeform verse. If you are able to make a donation to help keep Ki to the City on “the airwaves,” we can arrange to get a copy (or a few) to you.Please email me directly at jondiluca@yahoo.com to set something up.Enjoy! Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe