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What Is An Aikido Response To Systemic Racism?

Judge Eric Moye, Malory Graham, Sam Taitel, & Miles Kessler

The recent killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin has unleashed a torrent of protests against systemic racism in cities across America, that have also echoed throughout the world. Regardless of where you stand on the issue of systemic racism, there is no denying that we are a society in conflict. To better understand the urgency of this issue, I invited several of my fellow Aikidoka to join me on a panel discussion & community call where we explored the question, “What is an Aikido response to systemic racism?”

Panel Discussion & Community Call
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Cutting vs. Striking With The Bokken

Aiki-Ken | Bokken Tutorial

When you use your bokken do you know if you are cutting or if you are striking? There are good examples of both styles in Aikido. However, in my 20 + years of teaching Aiki-Ken, it is clear that there is also a lot of confusion about this. In this Bokken Tutorial Video, I clear up this confusion by demonstrating the exact technical differences of each method. So if you want to know what your style is then check out cutting vs. striking with the bokken. 

Aikido Sensei Miles Kessler Bokken Tutorial
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Spiritual Resiliency

The Edge Of The Comfort Zone And Beyond

If there is anything we’ve learned in these challenging times, it’s that resiliency is not a given. It must be earned. Facing life’s challenging experiences will develop resiliency… if you face them with courage, patience, and a little faith. However, if you want to grow your capacity for resiliency then there is no substitute for a developmental practice. Any practice that is committed, long-term, and keeps you at the edge of your comfort zone will gradually develop your physical, psychological, emotional, and yes, even spiritual resiliency. 

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Inner Resilience During A Pandemic

Miles Kessler On The Embodiment Podcast

It is no understatement to say that we have all been tested during this current Coronavirus and COVID-19 crisis. It is in times like this that you get to see both the depth and limitation, of your own inner resilience. Recently, I was invited to once again join my old friend Mark Walsh on The Embodiment Podcast to explore the question: what does it mean to have inner resilience during a pandemic?

Miles Kessler On The Embodiment Podcast

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Our Coronavirus Road Trip

Meditation and "Are We There Yet?"

We’ve all been there. For sure if you’re a parent, but if not then you only have to remember back to your childhood. The long road trip with mom and dad in the front seat and the kids in the back bored out of their minds. It’s just a matter of time before that incessant, and annoying question comes from the kids in the back seat – “are we there yet?”

Meditation Teacher Miles Kessler
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Meditation Coaching For Coaches

With "Wellbeing" Expert Celynn Morin

Last fall I offered free meditation coaching sessions to a limited number of people in my audience.  Those who participated were a varied group of meditators that ranged from novice to experienced that included therapists and leadership trainers, martial artists and dancers, people who follow traditional meditation schools, and people who had an eclectic collection of meditation methods. In the following coaching demo, I work with Celynn Morin who is herself, a wellbeing coach.

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10 Meditation Posts For Tapping Your Spiritual Resource

Meditation For Uncertain Times

A fact that becomes immediately clear for everyone in this Coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic is that our resources are not as stable as we thought. From good health, to work and income, to face masks, to toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and everything in between. And even though we do everything we can to be smart, safe, and secure in these times, we realize that it is all really beyond our control. This is why meditation has always been called your very own spiritual resource. Because it is always there to support you no matter what is going on the world around you. I went through my archives and picked out 10 posts on meditation and spirituality that I think are helpful resources to everyone through these uncertain times. With Love.

Your Meditation Resource For Uncertain Times w/ Miles Kessler
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Meditation In A Time Of Crisis

Global Sangha Community Call

With the whole world in lock-down and keeping social distance from each other, it is extremely supportive to get together to practice meditation. Last Sunday, March 29th, 2020 I gathered with our global meditation sangha for a 60 min workshop on how meditation can be an essential resource for you during these challenging times. In this community call we explored how Meditation supports you not only in ordinary times, but especially during the current Coronavirus and COVID-19 crisis. The session was aptly called “meditation in a time of crisis.”

Community Call w/ Miles Kessler