1. Aikido decides life and death in a single strike, so students must carefully follow the instructor's teaching and not compete to see who is the strongest.
2. Aikido is the way that teaches how one can deal with several enemies. Students must train themselves to be alert not just to the front, but to all sides and the back.
3. Training should always be conducted in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere.
4. The instructor teaches only one small aspect of the art. Its versatile applications must be discovered by each student through incessant practice and training.
5. In daily practice first begin by moving your body and then progress to more intensive practice. Never force anything unnaturally or unreasonably. If this rule is followed, then even elderly people will not hurt themselves and they can train in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere.
6. The purpose of aikido is to train mind and body and to produce sincere, earnest people. Since all the techniques are to be transmitted person-to-person, do not randomly reveal them to others, for this might lead to their being used by hoodlums.
1. Proper aikido can never be mastered unless one strictly follows the instructor's teaching.
2. Aikido as a martial art is perfected by being alert to everything going on around us and leaving no vulnerable opening (suki).
3. Practice becomes joyful and pleasant once one has trained enough not to be bothered by pain.
4. Do not be satisfied by what is taught at the dojo. one must constantly digest, experiment and develop what one has learned.
5. One should never force things unnaturally or unreasonably in practice. One should undertake training suited to his body, physical condition and age.
6. The aim of aikido is to develop the truly human self. It should not be used to display ego.
Rules for Practice
Musashi
Think without any dishonesty
Forge yourself in the Way
Touch upon all of the arts
Know the Ways of all occupations
Know the advantages and disadvantages of everything
Develop a discerning eye in all matters
Understand what cannot be seen by the eye
Pay attention to even small things
Do not involve yourself with the impractical
Musashi
do not turn your back on the various Ways of this world
do not scheme for physical pleasure
do not intend to rely on anything
consider yourself lightly; consider the world deeply
do not ever think in acquisitive terms
do not regret things about your personal life
do not envy another’s good or evil
do not lament parting on any road whatsoever
do not complain or feel bitterly about yourself or others
have no heart for approaching the path of love
do not have preferences
do not harbor hopes for your own personal home
do not have a liking for delicious food for yourself
do not carry antiques handed down from generation to generation
do not fast so that it affects you physically
while military equipment is another matter, do not be fond of material things
while on the Way, do not begrudge death
do not be intent on possessing valuables or a fief in old age
respect the gods and Buddhas, but do not rely on them
though you give up your life, do not give up your honor
never depart from the Way of the Martial Arts