On this episode of Ki to the City, I had the awe inducing honor of sitting down (albeit, in front of my laptop) with Richard Strozzi-Heckler, the visionary founder of Two Rock Dojo and the Strozzi Institute, Center for the Study of Somatics in Action.

A prolific author and teacher, Strozzi-Heckler Shihan truly embodies O Sensei's directive to employ Aiki principles in actively making the world a better place.

His extensive background, spanning over 50 years in martial arts, somatic studies, psychology, and meditation, offers an unparalleled depth of wisdom that promises to enrich our understanding of Aikido's far-reaching potential.

We explore the powerful concept of Somatics, defined as the art and study of a living wholeness; where mind, body, and spirit are not separate but interconnected.

He highlights how this contrasts sharply with western Cartesian dualism, which postulates a distinct chasm between mind and body.

As he eloquently states in The Art of Somatic Coaching, "Once the notion of an inner animating principle was dismissed, a vigorous reductionistic quantification of the material world began".

This reductionist view, while advancing fields like medicine and engineering, has inadvertently led to increased mental and physical diseases by neglecting the deep intelligence of the body and the integration of our energetic selves.

Listeners to this show may already know that this detachment and denial of an “animating principle” is a big concern of mine which has served as ballast for this project.

This episode delves deep (as 45 minutes could allow) into how Aikido serves as a powerful antidote to this mechanistic paradigm, offering a remedy, a therapy, and a soothing balm for the modern human condition.

The spiritual dimension progresses from unifying one's own mind and body to unifying with the greater mind and body of the universe. This deep connection manifests as "presence" – being centered, open to possibilities, and connected to one's purpose, enabling individuals to face into difficult situations and blend with them. (still working on this for myself, btw)

Strozzi-Heckler Sensei’s own journey led him to find Aikido as a perfect exercise for integrating mind and body, a realization that often comes to Aikidoka who, like myself, initially find joy and therapeutic relief in the physical practice alone.

His work truly walks the talk in applying the profound principles of Aikido beyond the dojo, resonating deeply with O Sensei's vision to influence societal leaders. Strozzi-Heckler Sensei has successfully integrated Aiki into diverse sectors, including:

* The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), which he helped design, making Aiki principles foundational for every Marine.

* The Trojan Warrior Project, a program for Green Berets that incorporated daily Aikido, meditation, bodywork, diet redesign, and family engagement to foster "holistic soldiers".

* Training Across Borders, an initiative that brought together individuals from historically conflicting backgrounds (e.g., Palestinians and Israelis, Greeks and Turks) to engage in Aikido and dialogue, demonstrating that different approaches are possible.

* Opening 11 dojos in Ethiopia, Africa, where young students learning Aikido have experienced significant positive life changes, including higher graduation rates, college attendance, and an overall reduction in negative societal issues, through combining the art with a way of living.

Strozzi-Heckler sensei asserts that O Sensei’s declaration of Aikido as both a competent martial art and a spiritual practice is one of the 20th century's most revolutionary statements. This dual nature allows for a warrior's ethic and presence to exist alongside compassion and positive engagement with the world.

His experiential insights encourage us to embrace Aikido as a comprehensive path for self-refinement and global harmony. His work demonstrates that embodying Aikido principles is the most powerful way to promote the art, inspiring others through genuine presence and transformation. His ongoing efforts include working on a novel about transforming violence, reflecting his continuous dedication to societal betterment.

This conversation reinforces the boundless potential of Aikido to impact personal lives and the broader world. For anyone seeking to understand how Aikido can serve such a lofty goal as improving society, Richard Strozzi-Heckler's books (a link) and his life's work are a powerful testament.

Enjoy!

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