Introduction to the method 

Dr. Ewart has been doing research on the beneficial relationship between Yoshokai Aikido and singing and vocal pedagogy since 2013. His doctoral thesis was on the subject, and since then it has grown into a methodology for singers to follow as a supplement to their on-going training, and a fully fleshed out pedagogy for new and aspiring teachers as well as seasoned pedagogues to make use of in the studio. By looking into various systems of physiology such as the vestibular system, the proprioceptive system, the visual cortex, the fascia, type one and two muscle fibers, the sympathetic and autonomic nervous systems, the reward system of the brain, and so much more, Dr. Ewart has discovered a compelling argument to take full advantage of the training one receives within Yoshokai Aikido as a means of addressing each of these areas which concern the singer’s development and proper maintenance of the instrument. By properly accessing and interacting with these systems of physiology, students get a serious advantage in a world that is fraught with enormous challenges and stiff competition.

In addition to the physiology, Dr. Ewart has also discovered many benefits to students suffering from a number of different mental health challenges that Yoshokai Aikido as well as the Singing Samurai Method of teaching voice address, in part, in helpful ways. The work of Dr. Jaak Panksepp and Affective Neuroscience plays a big role in this method as does the work of Swiss psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Yung. By understanding the different roles we play in society, this method offers a way for teachers and students alike to have a positive and productive relationship in the studio that removes the ego and replaces it with a compassionate approach to learning and teaching. Aikido means “The Way of Harmony” and is studied cooperatively as compared to competitively. Shite, the partner who delivers technique is to study how to best be on balance. Uke, by comparison, studies the opposite, how to be off-balance. By studying these two sides equally, students get a complete picture of the given techniques presented for training. But what’s the most unique aspect of this training is that when studying Shite, the person who looks like they are winning to the outside eye, they are studying how to best be on balance in order to help Uke study how to best be off-balance. And Uke, in similar fashion, studies how to best be off-balance to help Shite study how to best be on balance. This unique, cooperative relationship, done with our partner’s needs coming before our own fits in the vocal studio in as beneficial a way as it does on the mat in the aikido dojo.

Lastly, inside Yoshokai Aikido exists a wonderful treasure trove of philosophy that relates to singing in the most positive of ways. For an example, we study the word “Osu!” which is actually a combination of two words “Oshi” which means to push, and “Shinobu” which means to endure. In other words, it means to endure while being pushed. We say “Osu!” as a way to say hello, goodbye, thank you, you’re welcome, I will take the correction, I will face this challenge, and as a respect overall to the person we are studying with. It’s a reminder, as often as it can be said, that our goal is to endure while being pushed. Becoming a professional singer is one of the hardest and most unforgiving paths a person can take. It requires the highest level understanding of vocal technique, drama, languages, musical styles within opera or any other genre of singing for that matter, with odds so slim it would seem foolish to pursue professionally. But with such a philosophy, the journey becomes more manageable. Through the study of Kenshu, an intensive 20 month instructor’s training required in Yoshokai Aikido to teach, many such philosophies are studied and then applied to a high level physical training used to reinforce the idea’s presented.

Through each of these very different perspectives on training in aikido, Dr. Ewart has discovered the link between all three and the singing voice. He is the worlds leading expert on the subject and is available by appointment to lecture on the topic at universities and other educational institutions relevant to singing. This section of the website is dedicated to the articles, blogs, YouTube videos, and eventually the book he as just completed based on the subject. More updates to follow!

Blog coming soon!