Robert Nadeau (aikidoka)

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Robert Nadeau
Native nameRobert Nadeau
Other namesBob Nadeau (en)
NationalityAmerican
Style Aikido
Teacher(s) Morihei Ueshiba
Notable students Richard Strozzi-Heckler
Dan Millman

Robert Nadeau (born March 10, 1937) is an American aikido teacher holding the rank of 8th dan and master teacher(Shihan) in the Aikikai. He is well known as a pioneer in the energy and awareness aspects of aikido, [1] [2] [3] [4] having dedicated his lifes work to understanding and translating these principles handed down by Ueshiba into fields beyond aikido, including psychotherapy, personal development. Nadeau began training in martial arts at the age of 16 and began studying Aikido with American instructor Robert Tan. [5] After Training in Japan with the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, [6] from 1962-1964 Nadeau returned to Northern California and opened a series of martial art schools sharing space with first Professor Sig Kuferat and later Richard Bunch through whom he has had on-going contact with several notable Ju-Jitsu schools [7] and which eventually led to the formation of the California Aikido Association. [8] He is one of three division heads of the California Aikido Association and is also the founder and head instructor of City Aikido of San Francisco, Aikido of San Jose, and Aikido of Mountain View, CA. Nadeau has taught workshops in the United States, Switzerland, Israel and New Zealand.

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Rare teaching certification Nadeau teaching certificate.jpg
Rare teaching certification

At the end of his study in Japan Nadeau was issued a rare certificate of recognition as an authorized Aikido teacher signed by Morihei Ueshiba and Kisshomaru Ueshiba.

In addition to his enrollment as an Aikido student at Hombu Dojo from 1962-1964 and maintaining a full training and meditation practice during his time in Japan, Nadeau had a close and substantial off-the-mat relationship with Morihei Ueshiba, which included regular extended trips to the Japanese countryside. Nadeau also assumed the position of publisher of an English-language newsletter about aikido while studying in Japan. By asking questions during small and sometimes private meetings, Nadeau learned first-hand some of the ideas and philosophies that Ueshiba wished to pass on to interested students. Fundamental among these teachings was the concept of "two forces" that combine to produce a new identity and "levels" which progress from limited to enhanced capabilities and awareness. Nadeau refers to the process of moving from one level to the next as an Alchemical transformation. According to Nadeau, this progression occurs in the "functioning realm", i.e. in a manner that improves functioning in everyday life.

He was reportedly told that if he could understand the secret of Aikido, Nadeau could accomplish all the very same incredible techniques that O Sensei performed himself in just three months. [9]

Scroll presented to Robert Nadeau by Morihei Ueshiba which translates as "Do the aikido that cannot be seen with the human eye" Ueshiba scroll at City Aikido.png
Scroll presented to Robert Nadeau by Morihei Ueshiba which translates as "Do the aikido that cannot be seen with the human eye"

Morihei Ueshiba spoke of Izanagi (male) and Izanami (female), the two great forces that, in Shinto mythology, created the islands of Japan. Or again, he spoke of Fire - Water - Steam as another example of two forces combining to yield a third transformed entity. These alchemical concepts have infused Nadeau's teaching since his return from his studies with Ueshiba in Japan in 1964. As a reminder of these direct transmissions, Ueshiba presented Nadeau with several scrolls amongst which are one was translated as "Do the aikido that cannot be seen with the human eye".

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References

  1. ↑ George Leonard, The Ultimate Athlete. Revising Sports, Physical Education and the Body, The Viking Press 1975.
  2. ↑ Richard Strozzi Heckler, The Anatomy of Change. East/West Approaches to Body/Mind Therapy, Shambhala Publications 1985.
  3. ↑ Aikido in America pg 57
  4. ↑ Stone, John (1995). Aikido In America. Frog Books. p. 57. ISBN   1883319277.
  5. ↑ "Robert Tan".
  6. ↑ "Study with Founder".
  7. ↑ 1965 Black Belt Magazine. March 1965.
  8. ↑ "California Aikido Association".
  9. ↑ "Aikido: Expression of Yin and Yang in Motion". GuillaumeErard.com. 2007-04-13. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  10. ↑ "O Sensei's Process, http://blog.aikidojournal.com/2011/06/16/new-dvd-on-o-senseis-process-by-robert-nadeau-sensei/

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