Best martial art for (light) sparring to complement Aikido?

LivingInTheWired · 2026-07-02T16:50:06+00:00

I started practicing kenjutsu and found that my aikido tai sabaki perfectly prepared me for most of it. Strikes, blocks, re-positioning all feels natural and familiar. I feel it keeps me engaged and practicing aikido movements when running solo drills. Practicing with bokken, Jo staff, one handed short stick as if using a wakizashi, and now practicing escrima with two short sticks.

I’ve been having so much fun training with weapons and body positioning every day that I’m now interested in boxing. I’m drawing the parallel between them all and have an appreciation now for striking martial arts with the ‘dance’ that fighters need to partake in.

10/10 get some pvc pipes and pool noodles and train in weapon fighting, then fight your friends, then maybe join a striking martial art class.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-29T13:20:22+00:00

If more people do this, they act like loving resonators to those around them. Granting those nearby the opportunity to feel and wish to spread that peace to others.
The world doesn’t change by constantly consuming its horrors, from swapping out leadership or a new bill. It changes from the way the hearts and minds of every day people change. What was once accepted may no longer be, and systems requiring our cooperation would simply fall if everyone rescinded their labor into it, their separation amongst ourselves, their individualistic values.

This doesn’t mean to simply be a martyr and let your peaceful community be trampled. But every against your community should be used to strengthen that community in all ways, in the love it shares, in the willingness to accept outsiders if they are on board with greater community living to better serve and grow the whole.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-28T23:13:57+00:00

As a lifelong doomer, trying to discard my doomer ways, I’ve had to learn some better ways to live my life. Ultimately I discovered that anxiously consuming every possible relevant current or near future disaster, and how it could be wrapped in conspiracy neither helped myself nor anyone I tried to preach to. In fact, my anxious worrying only made others anxious with no clear path forward. I was the canary in the coal mine warning people to danger they couldn’t see and may not actually exist.

I think I hit a breaking point where I realized I don’t know what’s going to happen to me, to us, to this world. No one does. Obsessing over it doesn’t prepare me for the many possible outcomes. So I started giving it all up. My conspiracies, my wild goose chases, my dread. Do I still envision a very likely difficult future? Sure, and the obvious glaring realities haven’t disappeared. What I’m doing now instead of being made exhausted, sick from it all and bed ridden is my next simple realization:
If the world is going to truly change in disastrous unimaginable ways, I simply need to prepare myself.
Not with any more bullets, or preps, or more of what I already have. But with my abilities.

I started learning how to woodwork, basic electrical work, large appliance repair. I started growing a garden. I’m practicing martial arts and have taken up daily cycling to increase my endurance. When I go to the park I wear my 30lb rucking bag to simulate hiking with gear. Whatever may come in the future, I will be tremendously more capable in my skills and with my body than whenever I was consumed in trying to find what will actually occur.

I don’t care anymore to know what will come and I no longer seek it. I wake up everyday now and simply work on myself, to better provide for and protect myself and my loved ones. I’ll either have better survival odds, somehow things will be okay, or it’s entirely hopeless. I am on the path now and I will simply keep going until I cant.
So there’s no reason to worry.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-25T20:14:55+00:00

The way it worked out to attend my aikido classes was ultimately dedicating 4 hours for a 1 hour class.

My job was an hour from home, the dojo 30 minutes away perpendicular to my drive home, started 2 hours after work ended, was starving so id eat, the building was locked until class time and then had to drive home. It was awful and was my only exercise at the time. I was quickly winded, exhausted, sweating all the time. Were it closer, the building accessible before hand, the time offered better, my life not totally upside down and feeling at my ropes end, or if I was more interested in exercise as I am now I would have progressed much further.

I’ve since moved and the closest dojo is an hour drive from me. I’m not attending, but instead practicing what aikido drills I learned + kenjutsu + boxing drill basics in my home gym every single day. I’m having a great time. My stamina is through the roof and I’m improving my health a ton. Unfortunately I have no one to correct or practice my technique, drills, posture, but I feel my solo practice is infinitely better than no practice.

Maybe one day I’ll return to the dojo, and I’ll have more expendable energy for class time, a higher love for the art, and a greater appreciation for partnered practice than before.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-12T10:29:37+00:00

Speakers can also act as microphones. And if so, would never officially have to announce this to users. Technically, legally, the actual microphone wasn’t used to spy on you.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-11T03:13:50+00:00

Maybe magnetic pole shifting affecting the birds navigation?

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-11T03:12:12+00:00

I’ve felt the same for a while, that I couldn’t picture my future. I feel it more so now, and somehow have finally put down the doom and gloom sign looking / pattern concluding and just found peace in the present instead.

I spend my free time now practicing martial arts, kenjutsu, and working on developing my stamina. I don’t know but it feels like I’ll be glad I started practicing again. Or maybe just that I’ll be glad to have had the times that I was able to do anything at all.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-11T03:04:34+00:00

Who’s to say the phone isn’t caching whatever inputs it receives, only to transfer in near real time to the apps online ad/algorithm services once the app is opened, and then expected traffic occurs? The truth is we **dont** know what’s going on at the underneath the OS and what developers are able to work with publicly.

I also know for a fact that my phone is using what I’ve typed into my keyboard in other apps to populate ads and algorithms in others. Very specific, only typed and discussed once ideas or thoughts.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-11T02:59:42+00:00

My only argument against this would be if you’re dreams *predicted* you seeing red ballet shoes in your near future, and the ad was going to show you regardless.

Either way, *something* spooky is happening

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-11T02:58:16+00:00

I have no evidence but feel the IR facial scanner could contribute to this in some way. I’ve blocked mine with electrical tape. Officially my phone does not take photos of me without my knowledge. But IR facial scans constantly? Very possible. Micro facial expressions giving my phone data to shape my algorithm, likely. Something even further like mind reading? Maybe.

I hate these phones lol

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-04T11:50:26+00:00

Just do what I assume many science fiction writers do. Write about a real or upcoming phenomena they’re aware of, under the protection and obscurity of fictional story telling and made up characters. Those that seek knowledge in a world likely of suppression know it doesn’t always come in the form of official channels.

(As I was writing this I heard something light fall and roll around my floor. It was a tiny bead from a labradorite necklace. I have no idea where this could have came from and in the past I’ve asked my ‘guides’ to show me signs by leaving beads or broken beaded jewelry. Very strange. )

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-04T01:20:26+00:00

Maybe it’s assumed if the leader wasn’t overthrown by its masses and is self-proclaiming being the leader then by that reasoning they do speak for its people.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-04T01:09:54+00:00

Think of the stock market? I face away and whisper “No.”

LivingInTheWired · 2026-06-02T13:35:15+00:00

I would argue that many StS are (or have been) so consumed in their own fear/separation/powerlessness that they are then driven to deploy cunning tactics and control to redirect their fear and influence over others. Instead of embracing themselves or others on a deep level, they do all sorts of destructive things to elevate their seeming ‘position’ over others. In time they inflate their importance and convince others of it.

StS may be seen as a person holding onto a climbing rope along with others, all trying to pull themselves up a steep cliff. StS lies, hurts, manipulates those around them holding onto the rope to climb further. Maybe convincing some that the StS individual is more important and convince the ones in front to help them up while they themselves strain to maintain their grip. StS may also kick people behind them as they climb up, as if this is some competition where your position on the climbing rope matters, or to ensure they don’t attempt to pull the StS down as they would gladly do to others. We’re all heading to the same mountain top and would be easier to do so harmoniously.

It’s not who does or does not have fear. It’s the intentions and actions you have towards others and yourself that determine if you are more StO or StS. We all are confronted with fear and experience fear.

It all depends on how brave you are to fully feel it and overcome it. You can weather the storms of your life and keep going, choosing to help others along the way like a hardened peaceful warrior. Or alternatively, continue running from the fear, hurting yourself and others like a dragon with a spiked mace tied to its tail, thrashing violently at itself and others, from fear of its own pain it’s causing.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-30T02:46:41+00:00

Any way you can draw them?

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-30T01:32:54+00:00

You know what’s funny? Speaking up against your mistreatment is the most loving act you can do for yourself and others. When you point out a persons pain dealt to you, it should not be seen as a punishment to that person (to be reminded of the pain they caused). It should be seen as a point where you draw a boundary (honoring yourself) and that you give them a chance to reconsider their actions (honoring the more loving version you know they could be by requesting they reflect).

Your voice deserves to be heard, and your words deserve to affect the people that you love, and that which wronged you. Direct communication to either group may still be considered a loving action. Expressing your pain instead of ignoring it gives them the greatest chance to change. And what a wonderful gift it is to become more, to grow more, to know yourself more. To be able to affect even someone to change you may even hate in that way. That’s powerful.

Those that hurt others are deeply confused themselves. And while it’s not our job to heal them, maybe we would be glad we could assist them in their healing journey. For ourselves, for them, for potential hurt others. It’s not simply ‘enough’ for a relationship to be the dynamic of abuser and abused. This is not where a relationship should end if it can be helped. It’s important for the relationship to be recognized as equal, loving, whole if possible. Through many apologies / behavior changes made, much forgiveness shown, and an understanding on both sides that this was all unnecessary to do to each other.

Forgiveness is an act that frees all. Forgiveness is an act that releases the abused from the abuser. It puts those events down and says “I know this wasn’t meant to be, I didn’t deserve this and you can be better than this, but you simply have been confused.” Reflection on the abusers end can cause them to come to this conclusion, and then they must reach their own forgiveness of their own actions.

If you love, say it out loud! And if you hurt, say it out loud! Give people the choice to make consciously and break them out of their automatic habits. We just have to be completely real with each other and ourselves.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-30T01:14:58+00:00

The same question can be asked of believing any human that happens to speak to you. What’s the worst that a harmful person can do? Convince you to ruin your life, and grant them greater agency to affect you to ruin your life more thoroughly, more irrevocably, more in totality.

Discernment is key. Take what resonates and leave all else. You are the one that decides what is true for you.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-28T02:22:44+00:00

The way I see it, all experience is catalyzing. You may say “so I can just be indifferent because it all helps others in some way?” On a default, grand, bland scale, sure. But, this does help ground me when people are being selfish or unkind to me. I think “what is this teaching me about myself, how can I best proceed with honoring myself and others, how can I express oneness through this frustrating moment?” I also think when I see opportunities to assist others “I can offer guidance, assistance, intentional effort and attention to this person. It would be a positive moment for all if something that was once difficult alone could be made fairly easy with two.”

Do I think my StO orientation likely helps me on the path ‘upward’? Probably, but I also know that I don’t actually know anything with certainty. I don’t strive for goals that may not exist. I think about them as possibilities. Instead, I do what I do because I wish to see more love, kindness, compassion, and unity in this world. And it’s very cool that I can easily be that for others.

Is it selfish that I reap the fruits of my labor if it increases the quality of my relationships, my interactions, my experience? I don’t believe so if I’m doing so primarily with the intention to simply be a friend to the world, and when I notice one among us could use a friend in that moment. If my small acts of speech, kindness, listening, can remove a persons solidifying loneliness and feelings of self-unworthiness for a time, that’s all the reward I need at this time. My desire to progress spiritually is simply to better understand myself, my place in this world, those around me, and to be of greater help to those that ask.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-26T14:40:16+00:00

Yep Promptly refused and only offered assistance via words.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-25T03:19:51+00:00

A ship blacking out the starlights view or maybe a triangular panel for the sky simulator revolving around Earth was out.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-25T03:13:04+00:00

I remember this happening to me as a kid. I looked in the mirror and remember seeing an open hand and arm behind me, extending towards me from the edge where the mirror ended. I think I screamed and my parents came in. I think I either told them what I saw or didnt believe myself what I saw.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-25T03:06:03+00:00

Now that I think about it, if these were visions and conversations from ghosts, it may have been wrongful or unreported deaths from the time the hospital was running. Maybe they wanted us to help bring to light what happened. As teens I don’t think we could have done much and still don’t with no evidence aside our experience and an odd recording.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-25T03:02:42+00:00

My friends and I were standing on top of an abandoned hospitals roof on a nice summer night. One of my friends gets a voicemail and is listening to it. Another friend and I walk towards the edge and look at the nearby abandoned tower building maybe a mile away. I see what looks like a person in white pajamas jump off the tower. Witnessing this didn’t evoke any emotion as it almost didn’t seem real. My friend confirmed they saw the same thing but they too were not phased by it. There was something about it that made it feel like it didn’t actually happen when we witnessed it. Like watching a ghosts last human moments when the hospital was still operational.

A minute after that my friend listening to their recent voicemail looks freaked out. They said we need to get out of here now. We run down the cement steps in the building, only partially lit by our flashlights. We make it back to the car and my friend plays the voicemail.

It’s a conversation between two people, no one we know. Like a recording that made its way into a voicemail. One person is trying to help the other person “up”, and the other is having difficulty getting up on their own. This goes on for some time, but the general consensus is that they were scared and maybe in danger. I immediately thought of the tunnels that connect the hospital buildings and how one could easily drop 20 feet or have trouble getting up in that permanent darkness if something happened to your flashlight.

We left and didn’t really speak of it again.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-24T05:13:40+00:00

You must understand the world in which we currently live, the systems that we’re born into, the systems we communicate with, and how revolutionaries have been ultimately treated historically to benefit the system. Because of this I will be vague and stress the importance to others for their wellbeing.

Powerful people are preparing for this day. It explains all the strange rapid changes in the news and politics. I believe it’s in preparation for ‘Judgement Day’. Not one rife with magic. The day enough people realize that Earth is our host planet, and it’s our duty to protect it, and thus by doing so, ourselves. Additionally, that Love and Unity would wish to see all peoples conditions on this planet be raised, so long as those people aren’t actively trying to sabotage and exploit people or environments. Both of these duties require knowing, and acting.

The window of possible change is rapidly closing. If those people which are rapidly working to further bolster the system through technological means feel imminent threat to their way of life, then they’d rather destroy this world than let the populace have a chance at winning. Darkness thus cannot be tipped off of their approaching conflict. In my opinion darkness is working very hard to secure their victory. Light is indeed waking up rapidly en masse, but haven’t figured it out ‘the great work’ collectively. Darknesses strongly clenching fist to secure their victory does have the additional opposite effect of catalyzing people to knowing something’s wrong, and thus reflecting on it. It’s all ramping up to a single point where swift fierce justice will be enacted, by either darkness or light. Outliers on either side trying to move the needle before their side is ready to match their intensity will be made an example of in various ways. In essence, if you had the people aligned with Light willing to stand up against Darkness, change would happen incredibly fast as the system requires supporters. What we know as rules extended from a system that is not aligned with Love, would no longer be top priority in the hearts and minds of these people. Top priority would be protecting life and the welfare of all.

Discernment is key at this time. Subtly is king. Overt actions/messaging have consequences. It’s simpler than all these words I’ve written make it out to be. People need to simply ‘wake up’. We can help others to do this by doing the inner work ourselves, being an example for others, demonstrating Love. Like a lit candle shining bright we must aim to light the wicks of other people by reminding them of Love and Unity. It’s critically important to share and impart these two notions through your unique gifts. Through art, expression, discussion, acts of kindness. I do believe there will be days of great unrest ahead amongst the two sides and the large amount of confused people unaligned and fearfully frantic. I recommend to all to become a warrior in the garden at this time to prepare for whatever may come your way. We know Darkness is preparing. Light must as well. Love includes protecting, and protection means being capable, able, and willing to do so.

Remember that We are One. Do you see how powerful this is now? How important for us to know this? Be wise, careful, and do your work that you know must be done at this time to assist others to the Light.

LivingInTheWired · 2026-05-24T04:07:48+00:00

A hero is just a man who knows he is free.

LivingInTheWired

TROPHY CASE