Every mountain has more than one path. Some are well worn. Others are hidden—waiting for those willing to look deeper.
The journey through martial arts is no different. In Aikido—and in every discipline—there are many ways to climb. But knowing which steps to take, and when, can mean the difference between wandering and truly advancing.
Path of the Deshi is your guide to that ascent. It follows the arc from beginner to student to Deshi, revealing the mindsets, habits, and principles that keep you moving upward—on the mat, in your training, and in life.
This is not a book of rote techniques. It is a companion for the deeper path, where awareness replaces distraction, respect tempers ego, and mind, body, and spirit move as one.
Whether your roots are in Aikido or another martial art, these pages offer stepping stones to navigate the climb—and to recognize the lessons hidden in each step.
Written by Andrew Blevins Sensei, 6th degree black belt in Aikido, who draws from over four decades of training and teaching, Path of the Deshi will challenge you, inspire you, and equip you with the tools and perspective to climb higher—one mindful step at a time.