 | Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere: An Illustrated Introduction by Adele Westbrook
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $7.94 One of two required texts. The very clear illustrations convey movement more clearly than photographs, and thus this book may help you feel up to speed much more quickly.
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 | The Life-Giving Sword: The Secret Teachings From the House of the Shogun by Yagyu Munenori
Buy new: $12.92 / Used from: $9.35 The other required text. Less inpenetrable than the Hagakure, and a better launchpoint for discussions of a warrior's ethics.
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 | In the Dojo: A Guide to the Rituals and Etiquette of the Japanese Martial Arts by Dave Lowry
Buy new: $11.53 / Used from: $9.00 A useful cultural introduction to martial arts in general, with discussion of the samurai origins of most aspects of dojo behavior and expectations.
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 | Women in Aikido by Andrea Siegel
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $0.01 useful perspective for students, male or female, to understand what it is like for a woman to train in Aikido. One of my sensei (Cyndy Hayashi) is profiled.
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 | The Essence of Aikido: Spiritual Teachings of Morihei Ueshiba by Morihei Ueshiba
Buy new: $14.96 / Used from: $9.99 Morihei Ueshiba, known as "O'Sensei", is the single most authentic voice regarding the art that he founded. He didn't write about Aikido much, and mostly for his direct students rather than the general public. These two books (this and "Budo") are all we have.
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 | Budo Teachings of the Founder of Aikido Ueshiba (Best Karate) by Morihei Ueshiba
Buy new: $19.77 / Used from: $8.16 Morihei Ueshiba, known as "O'Sensei", is the single most authentic voice regarding the art that he founded. He didn't write about Aikido much, and mostly for his direct students rather than the general public. These two books (this and "Essence of Aikido") are all we have.
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 | Principles of Aikido by Mitsugi Saotome
Buy new: $19.77 / Used from: $7.95 I've trained with the author, who is my teacher's teacher, and a long time live-in student ("uchi deshi") of the founder. Astoundingly skilled, and impressively thoughtful.
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 | Crescent Zafu Meditation Cushion (with Buckwheat Hulls)
Buy new: $33.99 There will be some sitting meditation as part of the course. While you are welcome to just sit on the mat, I find these cushions help a lot. I prefer the crescent shaped ones so my feet can stay closer to my center of gravity while sitting, but the round ones are fine too. Any of you likely to want to sit regularly will appreciate having a zafu.
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