Ambient Jam – Florence Peake spoke astutely of the possibility of “uniqueness, diversity AND connection”. I immediately realised that is one of the wonders of freeform aikido for me. Within our practice, rather than struggling with the very different energies, postures and attitudes of our practice partners, they are liberated and find space to play in connection – in ki-musubi.

This feels very different from practices I have experienced in form or kata based practises, where human diversity always seems to be in conflict with the crystaline geometries of a conceptualised technique imposed upon it.

Freeform aikido practice seems very capable of celebrating the rich and deep diversity of our humanity as it resonates in communion.