Aikido in Japan and The Way Less Traveled

As the sign in the martial arts school changing room in Los Angeles read, “Not even a million dollars can buy back one minute of your life”. W.T. Gillespie resigned from a developing professional career as a trial attorney in Los Angeles, leaving too his position as an assistant instructor in his home aikido dojo (training place), and cast aside all the enviable benefits and considerable comforts of life in Southern California to move to Tokyo for a year of intensive study of martial arts at the Aikikai World Headquarters. Set against the calendar of annual events at the Aikikai World Headquarters Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Aikido in Japan and The Way Less Traveled is a martial arts adventure in Japan and beyond to South East Asia, Korea and even The People’s Republic of China. It’s is a fantastic journey of self-discovery and personal development that continues to unfold – a path that is open and accessible to anyone who merely chooses The Way less travelled. What’s your adventure? As the Japanese say, “doing is a mistake; not doing is a big mistake”. Go forward! Find your Way! With the right mind, the whole world can become your dojo, all things are learning and every moment an adventure.

• Budo: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido
• Aikido Exercises for Teaching and Training: Revised Edition
• The Zen Way to Martial Arts: A Japanese Master Reveals the Secrets of the Samurai (Compass)
• Atemi: The Thunder and Lightning of Aikido
• A Way to Reconcile the World: Aikido Stories from Everyday Life
• Total Aikido: The Master Course
• Searching for O-Sensei: Learning and Living the Wisdom of the Warrior
• The Secret Teachings of Aikido
• Aikido Weapons Techniques: The Wooden Sword, Stick and Knife of Aikido
• Strikes: Soul Meets Body