Interview With The Aikido Mentor

This beautifully crafted interview with Jaff Raji, one of the most respected figures in the world of Aikido and Jodo, provides a rare glimpse into the mind of a true Sensei. Throughout this conversation, Jaff demonstrates not only his profound technical expertise but also the qualities that make him an exceptional leader and mentor: humility, patience, and a deep-seated commitment to the growth of his students. His teaching transcends mere physical movement, focusing on the "internal organization" and the philosophical core of the martial arts. Jaff emphasizes the concept of mutual prosperity—the idea that the teacher and student, the Uke and the Tori, develop together in a shared journey of discovery. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Christoph Bader, who organized this inspiring seminar in Tewswoos, Germany. Christoph leads his own Aikido group at the Senbonmatsu Dojo there, fostering a dedicated community of practitioners in the Ludwigslust region. Link: www.baderkeramik.de Video Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction and early days with Toshiro Suga 01:10 – The true meaning of Ukemi: Learning from Tamura Sensei 03:50 – Connecting feeling and technique 07:30 – Body organization and precision in Aikido 09:30 – The philosophy of teaching: Learning from the student 11:20 – Working with gravity and "magnetism" 13:10 – Inspiration from dance and the movement of infants 18:10 – Weapons in Aikido: Focus on precision over power 21:20 – Musashi & Gonosuke 24:50 – Aikido as a concept and personal advice for practitioners 27:50 – The responsibility of passing on the legacy (Mutual Prosperity) Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to the path, Jaff Raji’s insights on "the gold behind the wall" serve as a powerful reminder to stay the course and keep the spirit of Budo alive. #Aikido #Jodo #JaffRaji #Budo #MartialArtsPhilosophy #Ukemi #TraditionalMartialArts #AikidoSeminar #Tewswoos #Interview