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My Walk on the Aikido Path: A Healing Journey of Self-discovery
★★★★★ "A true story that might save your life!" - David Weinstock
★★★★★ "The wisdom of the practice of aikido." - Donna Barkman
The Japanese martial art of Aikido involves striving, through the discipline of daily practice, to establish connections that are affirming, safe, nourishing, and empowering.
Join Aikido black-belt Rachel Kling as she recounts her journey of self-discovery and how she found herself and her destiny though blood, sweat, tears, and the power of belonging to something larger than oneself.
From enabling her to overcome years of abuse and neglect experienced as a child of Communist sympathizers to helping her find the self-confidence and clarity to establish her place in the world as a professional psychotherapist, Aikido and its supportive community were the keys necessary for Rachel to save her own life!
As you follow Rachel Kling on her inspirational journey full of both failure and success, you will make a meaningful connection with a remarkable human being who surmounted one obstacle after another to gain the knowledge and hard-earned wisdom she so generously shares with her readers.
My Walk on the Aikido A Healing Journey of Self-discovery is one person’s story, but it is also a blueprint for every person who has ever felt lost, unworthy, and without purpose.
Order your copy, or give My Walk on the Aikido A Healing Journey of Self-discovery as a gift of inspiration and hope to someone you care about, available now at Amazon.com!
★★★★★ "The wisdom of the practice of aikido." - Donna Barkman
The Japanese martial art of Aikido involves striving, through the discipline of daily practice, to establish connections that are affirming, safe, nourishing, and empowering.
Join Aikido black-belt Rachel Kling as she recounts her journey of self-discovery and how she found herself and her destiny though blood, sweat, tears, and the power of belonging to something larger than oneself.
From enabling her to overcome years of abuse and neglect experienced as a child of Communist sympathizers to helping her find the self-confidence and clarity to establish her place in the world as a professional psychotherapist, Aikido and its supportive community were the keys necessary for Rachel to save her own life!
As you follow Rachel Kling on her inspirational journey full of both failure and success, you will make a meaningful connection with a remarkable human being who surmounted one obstacle after another to gain the knowledge and hard-earned wisdom she so generously shares with her readers.
My Walk on the Aikido A Healing Journey of Self-discovery is one person’s story, but it is also a blueprint for every person who has ever felt lost, unworthy, and without purpose.
Order your copy, or give My Walk on the Aikido A Healing Journey of Self-discovery as a gift of inspiration and hope to someone you care about, available now at Amazon.com!
100 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2021
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 19, 2021
My Walk on the Aikido Path is an autobiography for the author's personal journey of her gaining control of her life. After suffering from severe depression and childhood trauma, she falls into a state of unawareness. After years of suffering she find Aikido, a Japanese martial art about balance and self-awareness. Her journey to balance was not easy. but through determination and perseverance, she has proven anything can be possible.
Aikido itself is a difficult and highly disciplined art. It requires patience and constant training. Rachel Kling expressed her passion and appreciation for this art heavily in her memoir. You can see how much growth she has made in her journey from discovering Aikido, to her realization that the martial art is her "home." From Rachel's hard life as a child to adulthood, you can see the typical signs of depression. As a person who struggles with depression, I felt like I was reading my own thoughts when describing it.
The only issue I have with My Walk on the Aikido Path is I wish the author took a little more time to explain the Japanese terminology. Like a definition page or at the end of each chapter an explanation of each new term she used. I felt whole hardly confused by the terminology and their meanings. As someone who is curious to know more, I felt I was left stranded with trying to determine the wording and queues. Having to rely on Google after each word, did not quite help.
In the end I give My Walk on the Aikido Path 3 out of 5 start. I felt like the journey and the discovery alone, was worth the read of the book. I have enjoyed reading Rachel Kling’s journey and growth into the person she is today. It takes a lot of guts to get a personal story, especially regarding depression, out there.
My Walk on the Aikido Path is a great read for those battling depression and anxiety. I have briefly mentioned that I battle with mental health. As I read this book, I thought to myself that if this woman can battle depression so severe, she cannot function, to become this strong woman who can do anything, so can I. I think this book is a perfect fit for anyone to read, but definitely those battling mental health.
Aikido itself is a difficult and highly disciplined art. It requires patience and constant training. Rachel Kling expressed her passion and appreciation for this art heavily in her memoir. You can see how much growth she has made in her journey from discovering Aikido, to her realization that the martial art is her "home." From Rachel's hard life as a child to adulthood, you can see the typical signs of depression. As a person who struggles with depression, I felt like I was reading my own thoughts when describing it.
The only issue I have with My Walk on the Aikido Path is I wish the author took a little more time to explain the Japanese terminology. Like a definition page or at the end of each chapter an explanation of each new term she used. I felt whole hardly confused by the terminology and their meanings. As someone who is curious to know more, I felt I was left stranded with trying to determine the wording and queues. Having to rely on Google after each word, did not quite help.
In the end I give My Walk on the Aikido Path 3 out of 5 start. I felt like the journey and the discovery alone, was worth the read of the book. I have enjoyed reading Rachel Kling’s journey and growth into the person she is today. It takes a lot of guts to get a personal story, especially regarding depression, out there.
My Walk on the Aikido Path is a great read for those battling depression and anxiety. I have briefly mentioned that I battle with mental health. As I read this book, I thought to myself that if this woman can battle depression so severe, she cannot function, to become this strong woman who can do anything, so can I. I think this book is a perfect fit for anyone to read, but definitely those battling mental health.
May 8, 2021
Rachel Kling’s story is that of a ‘poacher-turned-gamekeep
After an abusive childhood culminating in severe catatonic psychosis during her early twenties, she first found refuge and healing in the Japanese martial art, Aikido and then trained as a psychotherapist.
Aikido, a complex combination of self-defence, philosophy and religion, is considered controversial in the world of Mixed Martial Arts as its critics claim it is ineffective and can cause small joint injuries. This, indeed, happened to the author who accomplished some of her training in a cast!
Her memoir is short, running to fewer than 100 pages. I suggest it would be better served either as an even shorter Aikido manual with a full glossary of the relevant Japanese terms or alternatively, as a full-length memoir in which she fleshes out the characters and backgrounds of her Jewish Communist parents, other family members and acquaintances.
After an abusive childhood culminating in severe catatonic psychosis during her early twenties, she first found refuge and healing in the Japanese martial art, Aikido and then trained as a psychotherapist.
Aikido, a complex combination of self-defence, philosophy and religion, is considered controversial in the world of Mixed Martial Arts as its critics claim it is ineffective and can cause small joint injuries. This, indeed, happened to the author who accomplished some of her training in a cast!
Her memoir is short, running to fewer than 100 pages. I suggest it would be better served either as an even shorter Aikido manual with a full glossary of the relevant Japanese terms or alternatively, as a full-length memoir in which she fleshes out the characters and backgrounds of her Jewish Communist parents, other family members and acquaintances.
June 9, 2021
I must confess that the reason I chose this book to read was because I had binge-watched “The Walking Dead” during the pandemic. I was quite taken with Morgan learning Aikido and then using his skills to great effect. “My Walk on the Aikido Path” by Rachel Kling illuminated more of the inner workings and beauty of aikido for me and I truly enjoyed this book.
Through aikido, Ms. Kling found healing, connection and joy. Her journey on the path is not a short one, but it creates profound positive changes for her. From feeling dark and lost, she grows to see that she has a purpose and a destination. The author is honest and open about the challenges she faces and she describes her journey, and the specifics of aikido in a clear and inspirational way.
I recommend this book and I thank NetGalley and Books Go Social for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
Through aikido, Ms. Kling found healing, connection and joy. Her journey on the path is not a short one, but it creates profound positive changes for her. From feeling dark and lost, she grows to see that she has a purpose and a destination. The author is honest and open about the challenges she faces and she describes her journey, and the specifics of aikido in a clear and inspirational way.
I recommend this book and I thank NetGalley and Books Go Social for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
June 20, 2021
This is a beautifully written brief memoir describing the author's passage out of trauma through aikido. She makes clear the contrast between this practice and a majority of martial arts forms that emphasize overpowering an opponent. Aikido focuses on dealing with conflicts within the self and then facing interpersonal challenges through a perspective of mutual protection rather than domination. This is a major contrast with a culture of dominating others as the way to happiness. Anyone looking for alternative paths to peace after suffering trauma or feeling disconnected from self may find comfort and help in this book.
May 18, 2021
Rachel has done an excellent job of capturing the nature of Aikido in this brief memoir of her practice. Unlike conventional martial arts which are intended to promote superiority in a physically violent conflict, the techniques of Aikido are metaphors for the non-physical interpersonal conflicts that come up in daily life. Rather than defining "effectiveness" as physically overpowering an enemy, Aikido teaches practitioners to connect and partner with others to redefine victory as a mutually protective and supportive solution to problems we face. Rachel's Aikido memoir expertly illustrates this connection between specific Aikido techniques and her personal transformation.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews