Aikido: The Art of Transformation
The Life and Teachings of Robert Nadeau
Richard Moon author Susan Spence author Teja Bell author Laurin Herr author Bob Noha author Elaine Yoder author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Publishing:19th Dec '24
£23.99
This title is due to be published on 19th December, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
Firsthand accounts of the life, practice, and teachings of pioneering Aikido master Robert Nadeau, direct disciple of Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba
• Explores Nadeau’s personal journey and pioneering role in the spread of Aikido, including firsthand accounts and historical photographs published for the first time
• Explains Nadeau’s unique teaching, his core concepts, and basic practices centered on energy refinement, direct experience and inner transformation
• Presents inspiring personal stories about Nadeau contributed by students, including Dan Millman, Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Peter Ralston, and Renée Gregorio
A widely influential figure in the development of Aikido in America, Robert Nadeau is known as one of the few American direct disciples of Aikido’s founder Morihei Ueshiba Osensei. Now an 8th dan Aikido master teacher, Nadeau has taught generations of students, and several have become prominent teachers in their own right. However, he has never written about his life or philosophy, always reserving his most pointed lessons for those who practice with him in person.
This book tells the story of Robert Nadeau’s life journey and his distinctive approach to teaching Aikido as a way to access the inner energetic aspects of the art, a transformational approach with universal applications in daily life, even for non-Aikidoists. The authors explore Nadeau’s early interest in martial arts and all things spiritual as a teenager in California in the 1950s, his seminal training under Morihei Ueshiba at Aikido Hombu Dojo in Tokyo in the 1960s, and the following six decades of training, experimenting, refining, and teaching as he worked to introduce Aikido to the wider world, even beyond the traditional dojo. They lay out Nadeau’s core concepts, describe his simple-but-effective practices for personal development, and convey his time-tested approach to the inner training at the heart of Aikido in a very accessible way. They also include first-person accounts from Nadeau’s students, including Dan Millman, Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Peter Ralston, and Renée Gregorio, who recall their personal experiences of training with him, retell conversations with him, and describe insights and lessons learned, sharing how he affected their lives, sometimes quite profoundly.
Bringing the story of Robert Nadeau’s life into focus, this book presents, for the first time, the profound lessons and deep impact of a pioneering teacher who’s...
“A beautiful tribute and journey into the life of an Aikido master. We move with him as he grows and delight in his skills of transforming the lives of so many.” * Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart *
“Anyone interested in martial arts, the spiritual path, personal transformation, or the connection between them should read this book. It takes you on the compelling journey of Robert Nadeau Shihan, one of the few Americans who studied personally with Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, and then brought his message to the West. This book is an affirmation and testimony of how embodied transformation is possible through a master teacher.” * Richard Strozzi-Heckler, 7th Dan Shihan in Aikido, founder of Two Rock Dojo, cofounder of Tamalpais *
“A fascinating tribute to a most unusual, passionate, and influential Western teacher of Aikido, Robert Nadeau. Whether or not you have met Nadeau Sensei, you will be transported by the vivid personal accounts of his students to the ever-challenging, courageous, and deeply transformative training he facilitates. An inspiring resource that will reverberate long into the future.” * Linda Holiday, Aikido 7th Dan and author of Journey to the Heart of Aikido *
“There is much to learn from Robert. His emphasis on experiential development by deeply understanding and applying powerful principles to life is transforming for everybody.” * Peter Ralston, author of The Art of Mastery *
“Nadeau Sensei’s teachings transformed my life, formed the foundation for my work in conflict resolution, and continue to this day to inform my mediation practice.” * Antonio Piazza, partner at Mediated Negotiations *
“An extraordinary book for anyone—those who train in Aikido and those who don’t—who wants to master their energy system to enhance their performance, well-being, and creativity while elevating their consciousness. When it comes to transformational teachers, Robert Nadeau is the real deal.” * Aimee Bernstein, M.Ed., MFCC, president of Open Mind Adventures and author of Stress Less Achieve Mo *
“This exciting book offers Nadeau Sensei’s teachings and personal life story together with the experiences of his students. His unique style of expression leads to unexpected insights and upgrades to one’s life, on and off the mat.” * Mary Heiny, Aikido 7th Dan, Nadeau student, and co-instructor of Aikido at the Aiki Summer Retreats *
“If you’re interested in the resonance of human systems or imagine it’s possible to feel subtle energies and embrace them to move into more aliveness, get this book. With its unique blending of story, testimony, philosophy, and biography, Aikido: The Art of Transformation helps every willing reader occupy themselves, their work, and their lives from a place of discovery and rapture. It’s a shining testament to the unique, brilliant master teacher Robert Nadeau. It will inspire you to settle, open, and see your life anew.” * Renée Gregorio, poet and author of The Writer Who Inhabits Your Body and Abyss & Bridge *
“It has been a long-standing desire of mine to understand Nadeau’s teachings since meeting him many years ago. Now, in one book, his many students have provided an explanation of his teachings on the spirit of Aikido and how to develop it. This book is an important contribution and a must-read for anyone interested in Aikido.” * Susan Perry, Aikido 6th Dan and author of The Hidden Power of Aikido *
ISBN: 9798888500712
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 20mm
Weight: 494g
320 pages