Aikido and the Power of Harmony: Richard Moon (6. dan Aikido) on Creating a Beautiful World

In this episode, I got together with Aikido teacher Richard Moon, a 6th-dan black belt who has been practicing the art for more than five decades. Richard began studying Aikido in 1971 under Robert Nadeau Sensei, a direct student of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. Over the years, he has trained across multiple awareness and martial disciplines, and has brought the principles of Aikido beyond the dojo: into leadership development, conflict resolution, and international peace-building work.

Our conversation explores Aikido not simply as a martial art, but as a deeply embodied practice for living. Through the training of balance, connection, and responsiveness, Aikido develops the capacity to stay centered under pressure and to work with energy rather than against it.

We talk about how this kind of somatic practice can shape how we move through everyday life: how we navigate relationships, make decisions, lead others, and respond to conflict. At its heart, Aikido offers a practical lens into learning relational and intrapersonal skills through an embodied practice.

For me personally, Aikido has become one of the most enriching ways to learn self-management, do personal development work, and, quite frankly, stay sane in these times. In this conversation, Richard shares insights from decades of practice on how the principles of harmony, connection, and awareness of our energy can transform how we meet challenges and live better.

You can find out more about Richard's thoughts on aikido via his YouTube channel at @moonsensei. Check out, for example, this video that beautifully connects aikido with everyday life.

Richard's book Quantum Aikido: The Power of Harmony can be found here. It's also available in Finland through Suomalainen Kirjakauppa.

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Sisu is a reserve of inner strength but it's also a way for us to know ourselves and impact the world in a positive way. Cultivating these reserves of inner strength starts with self-care and continues through self-inquiry. its power then extends to the world through our inspired acts of deep courage and compassion.

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