The Secrets of Police Aikido

Bill Sosa does an excellent job in writing this book. He shares his insight about Aikido and how it is applied to everyday life. I especially enjoyed the chapter on the 4 points of unifying mind and body. These are readily sounded off by many aikidoka, but rarely understood. (Ask any aikidoka to explain weight-underside) The real jewel in this book is that particular chapter. Aikido techniques are very difficult to learn from a book. While many techniques described in the book would seem to never be able to work, I can assure you from a first hand experience that every technique in the book works very well. The reader cannot understand or feel the way that the author is able to unbalance the opponent(uke), which is really the technique. This book should not be bought to learn aikido from. It should be used as a tool to try and understand the basics of the techniques and how the basics work. In addition, the reader can try to gain some insight into a man who has been involved in aikido for around 40 years.

Bill Sosa Sensei, an amazing teacher and artist, has put together a terrific review for both the advanced student and curious reader. He offers a concise history and philosopy of the art, illustrates exercises for training, and then brings the focus of the book to controlling tactics. The step-by-step photographs of these defenses will enable the reader to get a clear sense of their usefulness and obvious applicability to the street. Above all, the reader should know that Mr. Sosa is uniquely qualified to write on this topic. He has trained police officers and written a well-received manual applying aikido to law enforcement, and his practical, no-nonsense approach gives the student plenty of material to practice and ideas to apply. This is a must-read for beginner and advanced practitioner alike. Let Bill Sosa Sensei guide you in aiki! (Frank Thomas, PhD, Gokyu, Fort Worth

Don't let the title fool you. The techniques illustrated in "Secrets of Police Aikido" are shown in terms of a peace officer defending himself, but this book goes far beyond technique. Mr. Sosa takes his readers on a journey into history, introducing us to Morehei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido. We learn not only when and how he evolved aikido from earlier, more brutal arts, but why he did so as well. Along the lines, we are faced with the same questions that Ueshiba faced: Can I defend myself without injuring others? What obligation do I have to do so? The answers to these questions are both quite personal, and Mr. Sosa treads the line between handing them out and showing them within each of us with precision. This is not a book that you can read in an hour. Nor is it a book that will turn you into the next Steven Segal. It is instead a glimpse into the philosophy behind a young, effective, and beautiful art form.

The most comprehensive in-depth and complete book on the subject to date. A must for students of Aikido as well as for law enforcement personal. Mr. Sosa is an insightful and brilliant author. The best book I've read this year, bar none!

The title of this very readable book is somewhat misleading. It is far more than just a review of tactics useful to the law enforcement community. The book includes clear photographs and useful explanations of some basic techniques and specific examples of when they may be an asset to the working police office, but it does much more as well. In this slim volume, Sosa Sensei also covers the history, philosphy and unifying principles of Aikido - the way of harmony. For the police officer the book provides new ways to restrain and control suspects and perhaps the impetus to more fully study the art of Aikido. For the martial artist, particularly the Aikidoka, the book provides a new insight into the power and utility of the art. For others with a need to protect themselves without harming others, for example health care providers, the book is a useful starting place as well.