Gozo Shioda Sensei on Modern Aikido

>Gozo Shioda, [Quote:]Today’s aikido is so dimensionless. It’s hollow, empty on the inside. People try to reach the highest levels without even paying their dues. That’s why it seems so much like a dance these days. You have to master the very basics solidly, with your body, and then proceed to develop to the higher levels…. Now we see nothing but copying or imitation without any grasp of the real thing…. [Unquote]

My father Henry Ellis Sensei has been saying this for many years. He also said after Traditional Aikido there would be many variations of Aikido for those without true fighting spirit - such as `Ki Aikido` - `Choregraphed Aikido` - `Psuedo Religeous Aikido` - `Comedy Aikido` - `Aikido with Ribbons` - `No Touch Aikido` and the `Plastic Samurai`.

Kenshiro Abbe" No matter your pretense, you are what you are and nothing more".

Rik Ellis