Today, Carbondale, Colorado’s Sopris Sun newspaper published a review of Ann O’Brien’s new book, The Dance of Love: Mastering Your Relationships through Aikido Wisdom. Here’s what Sun author Ken Pletcher had to say:
“There are scores of books available on or about the Japanese martial art aikido. Most of them are of the how-to variety depicting step-by-step explanations of aikido techniques or movements. Many also delve into the philosophical or spiritual aspect of the discipline, beginning with the translated writings of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba (or O-Sensei, “Great Teacher”).
“The great majority of these books are well-written, insightful and extremely helpful to those wishing to hone their physical skills or learn more about the deeper aspects of aikido. There are some, though, that are frivolous or even verge on exploitation. From my several decades of aikido practice — two of them with a direct student of O-Sensei, whose no-nonsense approach was: just practice – I have become leery of those latter tomes.
“When I first saw the title of Ann O’Brien’s latest book, “The Dance of Love: Mastering Your Relationships through Aikido Wisdom,” I must admit feeling a touch of skepticism; was this one of those books?
“But I have known and practiced aikido with her for several years, am aware of her highly regarded reputation as an intuitive counselor and spiritual guide and trusted that her book would be serious and deeply thoughtful. And so it is…”