Love is the heart of Shintaido.

You who practice Shintaido are friends-
confide in each other.

Do not hesitate during practice,
but use your technique uncompromisingly
to form real friendship.

Practice with a beginner's mind
even if you are experienced.

Always enrich your own practice privately,
just as a real Christian offers prayers in a secret place.

Try diligently to elevate your spirituality to a higher point.
Reflect on what you are, improve your skill
make your practice perfect.

Learning is only one side of practice.
You will find the other side through teaching.
Teach those of less experience
with high regard for their personalities
simply and warmly.

There is no limit to a practice that can vary and progress
with a person, their time, their circumstances...
Pursue the truth of nature, pray for liberty
love and respect life.

Hiroyuki Aoki
from the Shintaido Student Handbook