Over the years several students have asked me why I stress the "martial" art of aikido. To me, aikido is a budo. As a budo, the path to enlightenment is through the exercise of martial development. Aikido is founded upon martial principle, military strategy, and combat. I stress the importance of martial competency because I believe it is a necessary component to understand aikido. Martial competency is a foundational pillar of aikido; that is, the structure of aikido technique is based upon its martial application. As with any education, it is easier to abstain from applying knowledge you posses then to fraudulently profess knowledge you do not [possess]. I teach with the understanding that you will one day need to make the choice to either use the martial side of aikido, or not. If I do not teach a martial curriculum, I deny you the right to make that choice. If I do not teach the martial curriculum, you may only emulate a martial artist because you will not be competent in martial arts.

We are about the business of making martial artists; we are about the business of learning aikido. We are not about the business of emulation, choreography, or exercise. The role of the instructor is to teach viable aikido. What does "viable" mean? I use viable to describe a tangible, reproduceable education of martial tactics and techniques that function in application. This is notable because viable aikido is different than philosophical aikido. Saying and doing are two different things. Just because you believe that aikido should be soft and non-violent does not means you can realize aikido that is soft and non-violent. Just because you can throw someone does not mean you are practicing aikido. Viable aikido is the foundation on which to build philosophy. Before you can practice throwing your partner softly, you must first be able to throw your partner.