Life Lessons for Everyday Warriors (e.g., the rest of us)
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.
About the Author
Andrew Blevins stepped onto the Aikido path in 1985, beginning in the non-competitive Tomiki tradition before finding his long-term home in traditional Aikido in Denver, Colorado during the early 1990s. Over the years his practice has been shaped by a deep interest in the connection between weapons work and empty-hand technique, the importance of strong fundamentals, and preserving the martial spirit at the heart of the art.
He founded Kiryu Aikido in Colorado in 2003, later bringing the dojo to California in 2013, and continues to teach and train after more than four decades of study. A 6th dan in the Aikikai under Patricia Hendricks Shihan, he views Aikido less as a destination and more as a lifelong conversation.
Path of the Deshi grew from that perspective, an exploration of the student’s journey, the lessons passed from teacher to student, and the subtle insights that emerge through years of sincere practice.
