New book about aikido principles and ideas

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[Stefan Stenudd]

In 1992, I published a book about aikido principles in Sweden. A few years ago, a German translation was released on the internet as a PDF file. Now, an English version of the book has just been published: Aikido: The Peaceful Martial Art.

I made the translation into English, and took the opportunity of revising the text somewhat, but to my own surprise I found that most of it could be translated without any change. Either I have not developed as much as I should, or the ideas we have do not change as much through the years as we like to believe...

The book is not at all about aikido techniques and how they should be trained, but the principles and ideas behind them. As thoroughly as I can, I go through what is so special about aikido, how it differs from other martial arts, and what the basic concepts of it stand for.

When I originally wrote it, I was quite surprised to find how much of my personal philosophy and way of relating to life have been influenced by sweating and jumping around in an aikido dojo, not to mention the many thought provoking perspectives learned from the aikido teachers I have had through the years.
You cannot learn aikido through books, but at best they are stimulating material for the all-night talks we aikido students love to have after classes. That's how I hope my book will come to some use.

If you happen to come across the book, please let me know what you think about it.
Here is some more information about it:
http://www.stenudd.com/aikido/aikidobook.htm
And here it is at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419658794/

[edshockley]

I visited your website and watched the video as well as examined the contents of your book. It looks like a great addition to the body of works. Thanks.

Ed Shockley
Aikikai of Philadelphia

[David Yap]

Stefan sensei,

My order of your book from Amazon.com arrived day before yesterday. I have just turned over the last page. I can't wait to go back to the first page again.

Thank you for sharing.

Regards

David Y

[crbateman]

Nice piece. I've got it in the AJ bibliography, and will add a review soon.

[Stefan Stenudd]

My order of your book from Amazon.com arrived day before yesterday. I have just turned over the last page. I can't wait to go back to the first page again.

Dear David,
Although at the moment I am quite pale from a sudden flu, your words are so kind that they put a blush on my cheeks. I am sure that any writer will agree with me: what better praise is there than a reader who wants to reread?
My flu is fading away :)

[Stefan Stenudd]

I've got it in the AJ bibliography, and will add a review soon.
I look forward to reading your review. Please be frank, even if it means that my flu regains its power ;)

[Stefan Stenudd]

Has anybody read my aikido book? If so, I would love to know what you think about it - even if you feel like being as stern as Simon Cowell...

[Erik Jögimar]

Has anybody read my aikido book? If so, I would love to know what you think about it - even if you feel like being as stern as Simon Cowell...

I'll ty to buy it, assuming this pisspoor student gets his dang csn sometime. I'll try to catch your class on LBK =)

//Erik

[Mark Uttech]

Onegaishimasu. I'll be sure to check it out as soon as I take care of my maxxed-out credit card problem.

In gassho,

Mark

[Henrik Gustafsson]

Stefan

I did get the Swedish edition of your book some years ago. I found it a good inspiration for me and in some ways it gave me a new perspective on aikido that I haven't found in the dojo or on the internet.

Now when I have returned to aikido after several years away from the art I try to find your book and read it again, but unfortunately my personal library contains too many books and in such disarray that it may take some time.

I would recommend it to any one interested in aikido.

Btw I look forward to your seminar at our dojo in Gubbängen in a couple of weeks. :)

Henrik

[Anja Lampert]

I just had a look at the few chapters published at amazon search inside... Definitely will order it, just it's not available on amazon.de, so I will try and get hold of it via amazon.com. Really looking forward to reading your book!

[Mark Uttech]

Onegaishimasu Stefan, your book arrived in the mail today and I immediately sat down on the front porch to look into it. I was impressed with the table of contents and am looking forward to reading it and reflecting on it, bit by bit.

In gassho,

Mark

[Jorge Garcia]

Has anybody read my aikido book? If so, I would love to know what you think about it - even if you feel like being as stern as Simon Cowell...

I just ordered two copies. I have been looking for a general book on Aikido to recommend to my students. I hope yours is what I am looking for.
best wishes,
Jorge

[Stefan Stenudd]

your book arrived in the mail today and I immediately sat down on the front porch to look into it.
Sitting down on the front porch with a book - ah, that's life (whether the book is mine or not) :)

[Stefan Stenudd]

I have been looking for a general book on Aikido to recommend to my students. I hope yours is what I am looking for.
I hope so, too :)
But please let me know, even if it is not.