NLP & Aikido

“There are no contests in the Art of Peace. A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that we harbour within.”                      – O Sensei –

Anyone who has done some NLP Training may well have come across a trainer who talks about Aikido and explains how it is similar to NLP and is known for its ideas on non-conflict. A bit of a paradox isn’t it? There is an attacker and you are expected to blend with them.

Aikido doesn’t depend on strength or force, it utilises awase which means matching, blending and connecting to the other person and when this is done well enough they can be led which is primarily by taking their balance, using atemi (strikes) and putting the person in a position where they can’t avoid falling.

The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, known in the Aikido world as O Sensei, meaning Great Teacher or Master, said that 95% of Aikido is atemi (strikes) to vital points. All atemi, correctly delivered, have the ability to stop someone enough to put them off balance and prevent them from delivering a full-hearted attack and every technique will have this ability built into it. I would add that these are pretty advanced ideas and take a lot of learning by practical training on the mat in a dojo.

Learning NLP requires the same commitment to study and most of the training is also experiential. One of the key principles in NLP is building relationships by matching enough so that it is possible to lead the others. Matching and leading is the structure of influence.

I have been studying and teaching Aikido for over 30 years and NLP for 25 years and I noticed, after a few years training in these disciplines that their core principles are the same. These are the principles of excellence and I have just completed a book on this subject which is called “Mutual Mindfulness” and I am now beginning to start the process of finding a publisher.

I will keep you all updated as to progress and if you want to be informed please add a comment and your email address below. The Book, “Mutual Mindfullness” is now published and available at all on-line retailers: http://amzn.to/2RAAiCO

Best wishes

Paddy

patbergin@hotmail.com