Mary SteinThe Gift of Danger: Lessons from Aikido

I purchased this book as an addition to my library on Aikido, but I feel that this would be a welcomed book by non-Aikidoists who are growing older and perhaps seeking some sense of balance or challenge in their lives. Note that this is not a "how to" from a technical perspective but rather a "how have I" from the author's years of Aikido practice and application in daily living.

A nice book about a person's experience learning Aikido later in life. This book provides a good description of many common milestones students pass through as they learn this art, accompanied by the authors well written and insightful reflections. The only thing I wished were different, as I read this book, was that the author was very referential to her instructor. Regardless, this is a good read.

Highly recommended. Mary Stein's experience of aikido should resonate with most aikido students. I urge my students to read it, and have several copies circulating in the dojo. It helps us see that the frustrations, difficulties, and fears in aikido practice - as well as the joys and breakthroughs - are part of the process. Mary helps us see a bit more deeply into our shared experience.

If you are into Aikido then get this book.A good insight into daily Aikido practice.Good info about the difference in training partners in Aikido.

Thoughtful observations that apply to many forms of practice

The best way I know to talk about this book is to recall another simnple, powerful book that resonated like it for me. Mary Stein has written a Beginner's Mind of Aikido practice.As an Episcopal priest (and not a Zen practitioner) I've found Suzuki Roshi's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind such a gem of a book that I've returned to re-read it repeatedly. It's simple, accessible, and really about what it says it's about - zen mind - but by its very simplicity it takes us to the universal. Mary Stein's book has that quality.I have found myself recommending Mary's book to many friends, Aikido practitioners and not. Their response to the book (especially those who are not Aikido practitioners) affirms the simple humanity and universality I felt reading it.I'd recommend this book to an Aikido practitioner because it articulates the spirit and the human learning in the practice so clearly. She's writing about what keeps some of us practicing daily year after year. But its appeal for my friends who do not practice Aikido has been in the simplicity and grace with which Mary finds her way to fundamentals common to any practice. What she's written about is so essential to our humanity that we'd all do well to read and re-read this book.

The Gift of Danger is like reading poetry. I've found myself randomly opening the book to any spot and reading, I am swept up in her writing.Mary's writing style puts me in a calm receptive state and I open up to problems in my life that can be overcome by "letting go"The Gift of Danger is a not a how to book on Aikido but a thinking woman's journey as she explores her personal life, as she explores her path in Aikido.

Il est très intéressant de voir le point de vue et la pratique au jour le jour de cette femme qui apporte de très bons éléments de réflexion sur la pratique de l'aïkido.