Carolina van Haperen - integrale Aikido Amsterdam

17/01/2026

16/01/2026

Some days we might not ‘feel’ like going to practice. Though at times we may truly be unable to - if we are sick, injured, or have family responsibilities- don’t misinterpret, these are all legit.
However, if we simply don’t ‘feel’ like it,
- go anyway.
Some days are just about showing up.
The practice may be far from perfect, just do the best and move carefully in the moment.
There is always something to learn even if we do not ‘get it right’.
Or…sometimes we may actually discover something, epiphanies surprise us - they often come unannounced.

Discipline, consistency, showing up when we do not want to is part of committing.
Make this a foundational habit.
When motivation is low, foster the mindset of consistent action. Practice it as a discipline, use it as a steady force.
Your teacher will quietly notice your consistency.
Your commitment, acknowledged.
Showing up and being present is what underlies all significant improvement.
Become inspired by the capacity.

Remember that for long term success, it is consistency - the steady, regular effort over time that is more effective than short bursts of extreme effort and intensity.

Sometimes the best advice is simple:
Have Discipline.
Be Patient.
Just show up.

G. Breeland, 6th dan

02/01/2026

02/01/2026

Happy new year! Let 2026 be a year to mindfully improve and refine. We renew our commitment, our dedication with gratitude.

My teacher, Hans Goto Shihan, would instruct strong techniques such as Nikkyo and say, “notice how much arm strength you are using (if any) so that when you practice it again you can use even less strength…the technique comes from the center, not the shoulders”.
It was said simply, so simply that it was often ‘overlooked’. After all, uke still hit the ground - providing the positive feedback that keeps us doing what ‘we do’.

For some of us who are smaller, weaker, older, or restricted due to injury, strength is not an option. We may, however, still try to resort to it anyway (to no avail).
In the Iwama system, nage is strongly held (in what Saito Shihan described as “training to the hilt”). Here the ‘limited’ person is forced to learn ‘the skill’. And to persevere, one must have a change of perspective.
In this sense, what can we actually control?
We control our posture, extension, alignment, hanmi, distance, and whole body coordination.
Biomechanically, these absolutely matter to the weaker, the older, the compromised.
And it has to be excellent. The use of levers, angles, timing and maai becomes a ‘no option’ kind of training. It can be frustrating and arduous, filled with rampant thoughts of quitting, yet the horizon into ‘rewarding and insightful’ remains within reach.. .
Those in this subset can become quite
nerd -ish in regard to precision.

And the wonder continues.

When external parts become consistently correct, the next obvious place of study is the dynamics within.
We open doors to yet another mountain of information. We refine into maintaining /creating only essential tension (by emptying, opening, dropping energy, relaxing… all inappropriate description).
My teacher, Goto Shihan, also revealed that as we advance, the study is “much less physical and more mental”.
Intention and imaging have a place.
We resource conscious awareness, mindfully noticing, and laser sharp focus/sensitivity.

This Shugyo practice requires a sincerity and humility as we continue to move past our comfort zones.
Learning is life long, stimulating and infinite.
Remain inspired and curious.

G. Breeland, 6th dan

12/12/2025

When practicing technique, do not just do ‘the steps’ and ‘put in the time’. The quality and intensity of practice matters.
Muscle memory does come with repetition, but if we only ‘go through the motions’ we may only arrive at the ‘surface layer’.
There is a difference between imitating movement and actually owning technique.
Practice to evolve.

Train the body to progressively observe, to discern and intuit. Start by noticing external reaction such as pushing and pulling and how we might be using substantial upper body strength.
We all reflexively do this so don’t judge, simply gather information, integrate, and evolve.

First know the Self, how our own body settles, how we allow balance to find a place. If we remain consistently grounded and centered, extended and aligned, the body will begin to assume and naturally assimilate into the correct shape.

Secondly, notice and sense uke. He is the mirror unto ourselves, the reflection of our intent. Observe how we draw him out to lead, how we attract his intention/body. How do we blend to take his balance, redirect to control?
What must we do to support his position?

Become progressively aware, so that as we advance, we can perceive the ‘oneness’.
We can sense the physical barriers eventually falling away, as uke begins to feel like an extension of the Self. At this point, without looking, we maintain control, taking his balance - knowing exactly where his back foot will land.

This is just one way to train an increasing awareness within our physical practice.
What works for you?

G. Breeland, 6th dan

05/12/2025

Collecting ourselves to connect.

'”Before we can truly face an attack without resistance and join with it, lead it and neutralise it without damaging the other we must first put ourselves in order.”

“Basic training is not just about learning basic technique, but about working on our physical structure and mental attitude. This work is not so much about adding as it is about returning to a basic that is inherent in the human design.
…The body has a beautiful design and is designed for function and ease of movement…the physical components: bones, joints, tendons, fascia and gravity act as a system of support and expansion where all parts work together. The body is not a compressive structure like a building of bricks with its parts welded together through compressive force. It is mobile, alive, responsive and resilient.
Breaking it down, and even though this is a multidimensional singular event, we can see imbalances and obstructions to this original state of ease in certain directions, specifically, eight fundamental directions of alignment:

Up - down, Front - back,
Left - right, Inside - outside

In a balanced body all eight directions are ‘full’. The drop image is an image of a perfectly balanced tensegrity structure. The pull of gravity through the drop results in its expansion out in all directions.”

Excerpt from TAE Journal, Edition 1: A Commentary on Basic Training - by Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros, Summer 2019

05/12/2025

Expand and draw out - take balance.
Do not push and pull.

Harmonize and blend - connect.
Do not collide and force.

Take balance to redirect and lead.
Do not grab and strongly insist.

Surrender to allow - wait for it.
Do not force to make.

Immobilize and pin
Do not cause excess pain to submit.

Aikido involves a mindset
present in manifested technique.
These notions, present (or not) can be visually observed.

If we consider uke as a part of the whole, we may discover that our interaction is relational not transactional.
We emphasize a heartened depth, reciprocity and mutual benefit.
We draw distinction from the short term, singular benefit, a partial exchange that bears ‘no heart’.

Observe the differences.

G. Breeland, 6th dan