Aiki Sword Shugyo

Although Goldberg Sensei has never formally trained in sword, he sometimes experiments with applying Daito Ryu's aiki principles to using a weapon, always trying to find new perspectives on shugyo and to bring the techniques to life. Seen here with Ted Tanaka, a 25 year sword practitioner, playing in a more loose randori fashion, Goldberg Sensei is practicing connecting through the sword. In Daito Ryu, everything spirals outward from the hara, constantly entering, and filling the opening created by the attacker's initiative. The more committed the attacks become, the more effective Daito Ryu becomes in countering. The same is true whether the connection is made with your wrist, your shoulder, or a boken.