Top Ten Reasons you STAY with Aikido

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[Jeanne Shepard]

Because I'm 50 now and if I stopped, I'd never get moving again!

Jeanne :p

[Aiki Teacher]

I teach school. Stress management!

[sullivanw]

There's always something to learn; the challenge to constantly develop oneself.

[Karen Wolek]

Because it's fun to fly.

[dps]

Because it's fun to fly.
To enjoy the flying I need to keep practicing my landings. :)

[statisticool]

To take the UFC by storm.

[Lyle Bogin]

Because it can get a lot worse and not much better.

[CNYMike]

Because I'm 50 now and if I stopped, I'd never get moving again!

Jeanne :p

Because at 41, this is the time of my life to get into it and hope to develop an appreciable amount of knowledge and skill. If I dropped it for another 15-20 years, it might be possible to pick it up in my 60s.

Because 25 years from now, I want to look back at 25 years of doing Aikido. (My Kali instructor woould want to congratulate me, too, although he will probably keep his hands behind his back.)

Because I feel good after practice.

Because it doesn't wipe me out as much as it did two years ago.

.... but most of all ....

Because I'm an Aikido addict! (http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9208) :hypno: :D

[donplummer]

because once something has saved your life, physically as well as mentally you can never really say goodbye to it...and why would you want to?

[Mark Uttech]

Because there really is nothing else I would rather do. Since this is the tenth reply, is this thread done now?

[Steve Mullen]

Ah dam, i got here too late, and here's me with this really deep and profound reason for staying with aikido............ but the post does say top ten, never mind.

[Lee Mulgrew]

Ah dam, i got here too late, and here's me with this really deep and profound reason for staying with aikido............ but the post does say top ten, never mind.

no, no! you must tell us. they have not been ranked in order of which are the best answers to give! after all answers have been given then we can decide why we all stay doing this.

.........My god I am soooo anal! (just kidding, couldn't give a s**t really!) :p :p :D

because it's a better way to explain the bruises than saying the wife beat me up again! (she is my favourite training partner :uch: )

[Larry Cuvin]

Because suffering from withdrawal syndrome is too much for me to bear.

[tony cameron]

Life - Aikido = Death.

[Al Williams]

Its the best way to punish the body and feed the mind.

[Nick P.]

Because I just got my hakama, and I can neither tie it well, do aikido well while wearing it, nor fold it well.
Who said there is nothing more to learn?

[Neal Earhart]

Because I like it !! :) :)

Or as I always say...it's the most fun you can have for $150 per month (the monthly dues at the NY Aikikai) ;)

[Mike James]

Because it is by far the most fun, frustrating, and cool thing I've ever done and plan to do it until I can't anymore (dead)! So much to learn/try/do ... infinite variations!!

[James Davis]

I have to stick with it now, or else my students can't learn it (at least not locally).

I also look damn good in a hakama. :D

[Rigel Keffer]

I drive approx. 1 1/2 hours to dojo, work out for 2 hours, drive 1 1/2 hours home for each class. So, there's got to be something to this!

In random order/level of importance not revealed by numbering:

1. Because since the divorce, it's the most human, physical contact I get during the week. Never underestimate how essential touching needs are. I have desperate need for raw physicality in my life right now. I don't have sex. I don't have snuggling and cuddling. I have aikido.

2. Because those moments of pure ki are addictive. They are rare and spectacular. Every now and then, I actually kind of get something right and feel a rhythm and flow and energy and it is breathtaking, exhilirating, and addicting. Empowering.

3. The people. Aikido seems to attract and RETAIN an exceptionally darling, precious, QUIRKY, fun, sound, safe, honorable, integrity-laden, genuine, sincere, kind, passionate, lighthearted yet grounded community of people. People with strong arms and smile crinkled eyes ... people who teach from the heart and embrace you even as they are throwing you ... people who bring gentleness to a potentially harsh discipline ... People I can trust and love and laugh with. Dedicated aikidoka --- the real students, the ones who are truly into it --- are an indescribably precious treasure for whom I thank God.

4. It makes me feel strong. It helps me hold my head up and my shoulders back. I can handle seemingly unrelated things so much better as a result of martial arts training, dumb stuff that used to absolutely stress me out like the bank making an error on my account, finding a new insurance company, the car making a disturbing sound. I can't explain it, but the more I'm training, the better I can handle life's wrinkles. I just feel stronger all around, muscles and mind. And braver. Because I try things on the mats I normally would never have pushed myself to attempt. And, I frequently shock myself by pulling off some of the daring stuff. Even something as simple as the fact that I can and do get up over and over again after getting thrown, pinned,and all around battered over and over again shows me that I'm tougher than I thought I was. Aikido helps me be stronger, braver, and tougher. Aikido is helping to grow me into being a tough chic, a woman with presence.

[Lan Powers]

Well, sheesh...that kindof makes me liking to "chunk" folks sound just a wee bit shallow! :)
And Rigel, I wish I had found something as healing and solid as this after my divorce....
Lan

[Robert Jackson]

I to like the frequent flier miles.. and hey it beats jogging!

[James Davis]

I drive approx. 1 1/2 hours to dojo, work out for 2 hours, drive 1 1/2 hours home for each class. So, there's got to be something to this!

In random order/level of importance not revealed by numbering:

1. Because since the divorce, it's the most human, physical contact I get during the week. Never underestimate how essential touching needs are. I have desperate need for raw physicality in my life right now. I don't have sex. I don't have snuggling and cuddling. I have aikido.

2. Because those moments of pure ki are addictive. They are rare and spectacular. Every now and then, I actually kind of get something right and feel a rhythm and flow and energy and it is breathtaking, exhilirating, and addicting. Empowering.

3. The people. Aikido seems to attract and RETAIN an exceptionally darling, precious, QUIRKY, fun, sound, safe, honorable, integrity-laden, genuine, sincere, kind, passionate, lighthearted yet grounded community of people. People with strong arms and smile crinkled eyes ... people who teach from the heart and embrace you even as they are throwing you ... people who bring gentleness to a potentially harsh discipline ... People I can trust and love and laugh with. Dedicated aikidoka --- the real students, the ones who are truly into it --- are an indescribably precious treasure for whom I thank God.

4. It makes me feel strong. It helps me hold my head up and my shoulders back. I can handle seemingly unrelated things so much better as a result of martial arts training, dumb stuff that used to absolutely stress me out like the bank making an error on my account, finding a new insurance company, the car making a disturbing sound. I can't explain it, but the more I'm training, the better I can handle life's wrinkles. I just feel stronger all around, muscles and mind. And braver. Because I try things on the mats I normally would never have pushed myself to attempt. And, I frequently shock myself by pulling off some of the daring stuff. Even something as simple as the fact that I can and do get up over and over again after getting thrown, pinned,and all around battered over and over again shows me that I'm tougher than I thought I was. Aikido helps me be stronger, braver, and tougher. Aikido is helping to grow me into being a tough chic, a woman with presence.
Wow. Nice post. I have similar feelings, but I posted something cheeky because it's the humor section. :D There are quite a few wonderful people in my life that would not be there if not for aikido (including my wife and daughter). I'm glad that your training has done so much for you. :)

Just remember to pass it on. ;)

[xuzen]

Top Ten Reasons you STAY with Aikido

10: I get to GRAB PEOPLE'S WRIST;

9: People get to GRAB MY WRIST;

8: I cause pain to PEOPLE and the are HAPPY;

7: PEOPLE cause pain to me and I am HAPPY;

6: PEOPLE applaud me when I SLAM them hard on the MAT;

5: I applaud PEOPLE when I get slam hard by them onto the MAT;

4: My Dojo has a NO SMOKING POLICY;

3: I am not a SMOKER;

2: I look fabulous in HAKAMA;

.
.
.
.
1: Said HAKAMA covers my potruding GUT ....Sigh!

Boon.

[Carlos Rivera]

Because you go in with a frown and come out with a smile. Hmm, if we could only broadcast that during rush hour on I-95 coming from DC. . . :cool:

[Rigel Keffer]

OK, so apparently I was too serious in my previous answer. So, here is my cheeky reply (well, cheeky but all very true!):

1. Because one of my major life goals is to get to wear a hakama.

2. Because in aikido, a hakama really means something.
(This is a rude little stab at iaido and kendo students who wear hakamas from day one. My ex is a shodan in iaido (I have plenty bad I could say about the guy, but he truly does rock with a sword --gotta have respect for his skills), and it always irritated the tar out of me that he wore a hakama even when he was a very, very, very low rank student.)

3. Because I have finally found a cool use for my disturbingly flexible elbows.

4. Because I'm such a klutz, it's a valuable life skill for me to know how to fall and land safely.

[mut]

because its my spiritual medicine,( and yes ive copyrighted the name for a book,) and aikido doesnt give me the hangover that jagermiester does. and satan told me to do aikido he said it would be good for me. evileyes :D :) :do:

[Jeff Brinning]

I could go on about how it keeps me mentally and physically fit. That's just a byproduct of practicing Aikido.

I am not drawn to Japanese culture in this regard.

I can rule out sadistic/masochistic tendencies in myself.

I have no desire to role play nor do I visualize myself as a secret samurai.

It has absolutely no religious value to me as well.

I can say this much so far:

It holds weight with who I am as a person to be appreciative of learning and practicing martial techniques that have been passed from one hand to another throughout its entire existence... ancient existence.

[hapkidoike]

Well, all I can say is that it sure does beat smokin crack!

[Lorien Lowe]

Because it makes me less violent.

-LK

[Dirk Hanss]

I have no desire to role play nor do I visualize myself as a secret samurai.

I like roll ;) plays - and that is one reason, why I stay in aikido. :D

Dirk

[stelios]

Because I learn a lot of things I could possibly do to my boss (and he has no idea yet!).
In addition, it helped me in the past when I fell off my bike and almost made a mess in the other driver's windscreen. These stains are a nightmare to clean!
I also thoroughly enjoy my joints being stretched to 389% of their normal work capacity by my teacher. Even taking a yokomenuchi gone wrongly avoided in the forehead can be learned to be enjoyable!
And of course it is majestic to squezze 28 people in the enormous space of 12 sq metres. Don't you just love it when you fall down and then everyone else has a go stepping or falling onto your abdomen/legs/head/genitals/arms. It can get even better when the above enormous space mentioned is used for local seminars when you add 15 more people to your crash-test list.
Not to forget that you get to break each and every single light bulb when practising these annoying things called the bokken and the jo. It is so much fun when the bulbs shatter and become 4.999.876.345 pieces that YOU have to clean while everyone else patiently (not) awaits you to finish so they can practise again.

[Robert Jackson]

-- because people will let you throw them around and pin them to the ground, then get up and say "thank you"... are people you can consider *real* friends :)

[Tinyboy344]

The moment I walk into the dojo, all of my problems seem to disappear.
I like its smooth movements, doing joints lock and flip people on their @$$/slamming them on the ground to me is better than kicking and punching and the hakama DOES look kool!

[Jeff Brinning]

-- because people will let you throw them around and pin them to the ground, then get up and say "thank you"... are people you can consider *real* friends :)

No doubt about it!

[Setka]

because at 21 ( :D ) I feel really guilty about starting this late in my life and I have to hurry up and practice my butt off to make up for lost
time.

because I just got my very own bokken. :p

because I like to finish something once I started.


Yeah! Aikido practice again tomorrow!!!!!

[Trish Greene]

I to like the frequent flier miles.. and hey it beats jogging!

Anything beats jogging!!!!!!

[statisticool]

Because I want my kids to say my dad can beat up your dad.
;)

[Jenn]

(This is a rude little stab at iaido and kendo students who wear hakamas from day one.

In my dojo (an ASU affiliated dojo), we wear hakama as early as we'd like. I'm just a Gokyu and I wear one! Saotome Sensei actually believes it's silly that hakama is a rank or status symbol in some dojos. Actually it was reading his essay on the subject (In "Aikido and the Harmony of Nature", I believe?) that convinced me it was suitable to wear one when my husband got me mine as a gift (and I was still a Rokyu at the time!)

I believe in that essay Saotome Sensei said that the only reason he did not require American students to wear a hakama from day 1 is because they are expensive Americans generally do not have grandfathers they can get a handmedown from. I have been told that at our dojo once you decide to start wearing one you are expected to *always* wear it from that point on, no matter how lowly your rank. :) (On our mat that is.. I've also been suitably informed that if I ever train at another dojo, to ask about the hakama policy.)

The one downside to that is that new students or visitors sometimes ask me if it's my black belt, to which I answer with a suitably emphatic "GOD NO!" :D

But I think the extra hakama in the dojo offers a nice sense of beauty and dignity in the place, not to mention I think the process of learning how to move without tripping over it has actually been helpful to my Aikido.

[DarkShodan]

10.) It's cheaper than going to the airport and have people lay their hands all over me.

9.) My school had an opening for a Dojo @$$hole, so I took the job.

8.) My wife won't let me beat her any more.

7.) My dad likes to brag his son wears a skirt.

6.) This one time at aikido camp...I had a tanto and....

5.) My idea of diplomacy is a sharp nikyo and a smirk.

4.) I like disturbing my co-worker's Ki.

3.) Two words.....Ninja Monkeys.

2.) All the other dojos kicked me out.

1.) I look damn sexy in a hakama!

[Steve Mullen]

reasons 1-10 are the same for me.

while i was attending my very first session, a team of ninja (under the supreme control of my sensei) broke into my house adn stole my puppy, and they say if i keep going they will eventually give my little dog back.

[idarch]

Coz pleasure always comes after pain...

[Barbara Pavliscak]

Because I want my kids to say my dad can beat up your dad.
;)

I want my kids to say my mom can beat up your dad.... and have it not be inconceivable. ;)

[ChristianBoddum]

I want my kids to say my mom can beat up your dad.... and have it not be inconceivable. ;)

The right phrasing here should go ; your Dad can't beat up my Dad ! :)

[m.kops]

I drive approx. 1 1/2 hours to dojo, work out for 2 hours, drive 1 1/2 hours home for each class. So, there's got to be something to this!

In random order/level of importance not revealed by numbering:

1. Because since the divorce, it's the most human, physical contact I get during the week. Never underestimate how essential touching needs are. I have desperate need for raw physicality in my life right now. I don't have sex. I don't have snuggling and cuddling. I have aikido.

2. Because those moments of pure ki are addictive. They are rare and spectacular. Every now and then, I actually kind of get something right and feel a rhythm and flow and energy and it is breathtaking, exhilarating, and addicting. Empowering.

3. The people. Aikido seems to attract and RETAIN an exceptionally darling, precious, QUIRKY, fun, sound, safe, honorable, integrity-laden, genuine, sincere, kind, passionate, lighthearted yet grounded community of people. People with strong arms and smile crinkled eyes ... people who teach from the heart and embrace you even as they are throwing you ... people who bring gentleness to a potentially harsh discipline ... People I can trust and love and laugh with. Dedicated aikidoka --- the real students, the ones who are truly into it --- are an indescribably precious treasure for whom I thank God.

4. It makes me feel strong. It helps me hold my head up and my shoulders back. I can handle seemingly unrelated things so much better as a result of martial arts training, dumb stuff that used to absolutely stress me out like the bank making an error on my account, finding a new insurance company, the car making a disturbing sound. I can't explain it, but the more I'm training, the better I can handle life's wrinkles. I just feel stronger all around, muscles and mind. And braver. Because I try things on the mats I normally would never have pushed myself to attempt. And, I frequently shock myself by pulling off some of the daring stuff. Even something as simple as the fact that I can and do get up over and over again after getting thrown, pinned,and all around battered over and over again shows me that I'm tougher than I thought I was. Aikido helps me be stronger, braver, and tougher. Aikido is helping to grow me into being a tough chic, a woman with presence.
Nice post. Especially about the aikidoka. :ai: :ki: :do:

[mut]

for the last 2and a half years i uped my weekly aikido training to 5 sometimes 6 days a week, if i miss 2 or 3 days all my negative energy builds up and i want to kill everyone, therfore aikido is my spiritual medicine. :cool: :grr: :ai:

[RoyK]

1) I get to get out of work 30 minutes earlier to make it to class!

2) I kind of feel that anywhere I'd end up living i'll find friends in a local dojo. Kind of like the Jewish community for an atheistic Jew.

[Gregg]

Aikido is like a perishible skill you dont use it you loose it. :ai: :ki: :do:

[ian]

Though I'm not one of these hippy types, I do seriously believe that principles of aikido reflect the principles of the universe (or maybe more accurately we are trying to explore the principles of the universe through the practise of aikido).

Also, it gives me an excuse to go down the pub afterwards and regain all the callories I've burnt (yin and yang and all that)

[Luc X Saroufim]

i'll always keep going until i've perfected it. :p

[pezalinski]

...I no longer know the way OUT of Aikido, short of dying. (And that's not a final answer, either.)

I know that, even if I reach another point in my life where I'm not actively being thrown or throwing people around in a dojo, I will still be doing Ai-Ki-Do. It's a way I've long since committed to, and one I am incapable of walking away from. It dosn't require a physical attack to manifest it -- it is always there, within me.

Plus all of the neat stuff the other folks have said rings a fine tone in my soul, too. :)

[Rigel Keffer]

Seeing this old thread listed reminded me of last Saturday night (12/9). We had a seminar that day. We were all wonderfully sore and bruised up making, "eech, oooch, ouch, ahhh" sounds when we stood, sat, or walked, and our minds were all tangled up trying to make sense of the gazillion cool things we'd been exposed to that day. And, of course, we had to discuss at length all that cool stuff we'd tried. ;) A group of us met up at a Mexican restaurant for dinner (we'd done Vietnamese food for lunch).

A lot of you are going to be able to easily conjure up what I'm describing: 3 or 4 restaurant tables pulled together to make one long table; the visiting seminar instructor with some ridiculously high dan rank who can do all that cool I-barely-moved-and-the-big-guy-flew-across-the-mats O-Sensei looking stuff who incidently has a great sense of humor and is really just a big kid (in the good way); my instructor whom I grow fonder of each week; a group of quirky, enthusiastic, kind, open, compassionate, really goofy aikidoka and a couple of their significant others; an ample supply of beer in front of some of the aikidoka; and soooo many stories, sooooo much loud laughter, sooooooo much security and love and trust and joy and humor and warmth and caring and fun....

I sat at that table and felt happier than I can remember feeling for a very long time. I felt privileged. All of the sudden, it felt like my heart was trying to swell beyond my ribcage. I had to blink really hard a few times and look down at my hands to keep from crying. In my mind, I was praying, "Thank you, God. Thank you for these people, this family. Thank you, God, for bringing me this heppiness and love inspite of the divorce. There's so much caring and trust here. This has been a GREAT day. I love these people so much. I truly love them. Thank you, God."

[Lucy Smith]

wow rigel, great post

as to me... i dont know
i just know im an aikidoka now its like there's no choice
i mean i know i could quit but it sounds riddiculous

i'm 4º kyu since yesterday :D

[Mark Freeman]

i'm 4º kyu since yesterday :D

Congratulations Lucy! :D

Great post Rigel :)

regards,

Mark

[Mike Galante]

Because after 26 years off the mat it seems like I never left (aches and pains aside).
True love never dies.

[Thom Hansen]

I started Aikido 23 years ago with the thought "This will do till something better comes along" errr nothing better has come along yet

Also the people in Aikido have become a family for me.

[Marianne Dauphin]

Even though I've started very recently, I've realized the calming effect that it has.

To make a long story short, it's been a horrible week. I had food poisoning on Tuesday, and I had my first car accident yesterday. I was incredibly shaken, but I went to class. When I was off the mat and changing back into street clothes, I realized that my hands weren't shaking anymore.

And the people are great! I'm still working on breaking the ice (I'm incredibly shy), I'm realizing what circle I'm getting myself into. And for one of the first few times in my life, I feel like I belong.

[Princess Rose]

I sat at that table and felt happier than I can remember feeling for a very long time. I felt privileged. All of the sudden, it felt like my heart was trying to swell beyond my ribcage.

I feel the same way. There is something about the people that makes me stay. Something about Phill’s smile every time he launches me into koshi, something about Dave’s sows and bucks joke that he’s been telling since before I was born, something about Liz’s warm compassion and desire to learn and teach… there’s something about everyone in the dojo that’s so unique and wonderful. And now I’ve moved about 45 min from my old dojo for college. I’ve found a great new Aikido family and love it here but I still have to go back to my home dojo whenever I can. The funny thing is that, although the last time I saw Dave I told him if I hear his same old joke again I’m going to explode, the truth is that if I don’t hear him tell the joke again I will also explode. These people are truly amazing, and while it sounds really nerdy, I’d much rather go to an Aikido seminar and then out to dinner to discuss what we learned than go out with my friends that are my age any day.
:D

[Princess Rose]

Ok so I’m stuck in my dorm because we are all snowed in and I’ve been bundled up reading The Way of Aikido by George Leonard and I found a great quote. It is about his experience with Aikido as a beginner and his feelings as he watched old video footage of O sensei with his Sensei.

“And I know I can never match the mastery that flickers on the small screen before me. But I will keep on practicing, not for prowess in self-defense, not for rank or prestige, not even for the wonderful and life-changing lesions that flow from this art. I will practice aikido for the sheer, unmitigated beauty of it.”

[James Davis]

Ok so I'm stuck in my dorm because we are all snowed in and I've been bundled up reading The Way of Aikido by George Leonard and I found a great quote. It is about his experience with Aikido as a beginner and his feelings as he watched old video footage of O sensei with his Sensei.

"And I know I can never match the mastery that flickers on the small screen before me. But I will keep on practicing, not for prowess in self-defense, not for rank or prestige, not even for the wonderful and life-changing lesions that flow from this art. I will practice aikido for the sheer, unmitigated beauty of it."
That's a neat book. I like his stories about using aikido when he was heckled during public speaking. Mind opening stuff.

[Steven]

Because I have three teenage daughters. Need I say anymore?

[Princess Rose]

Because I have three teenage daughters. Need I say anymore?

Because I am a teenaged daughter and needed to get away from my parents. :cool:

[Selnith]

i started aikido to learn how to turn my brother's technique against him (i think he believes little sister to be a direct translation from perfect uke) but i stayed because of the people, you chat and laugh and have fun while working out and learning to defend yourself which for me is important simply because of the bullying i suffered most of my young life, but also aikido (and a few certain aikidoka) has/have gotten me through some rough times, the one time i'll always remember was the day of my nana's funeral, we got home with enough time for me to grab my bag and go to aikido if i wanted, i wasn't sure i wanted to but i couldn't be in the house, i got to training and one of my friends there took one look at me and told me "you don't have to train if you don't want to, you can just watch" but i wanted to train, so he kindly, gently and caringly beat me to a pulp, and showed me the most effective ways to beat him and others to a pulp, then took me for beerwaza. i was still upset but i felt ok afterwards, something like that makes you want to stay, i only wish i'd had aikido, and that network of friends a few years previously, maybe aikido is what kept me sane at the time, and the lack of aikido is why i got so messed up a few years previously.

but all in all, top ten reasons to stay with aikido, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people and the people.

(oh yea, and from my first session i decreed that i wouldn't stop till i had hakama, and when i get them i swear i'll wear them for a week)

[mut]

ive practiced, ninjutsu, for 10 years on and off, ive done thai boxing, judo, and a little win chun, but still i felt a deep hatred inside my heart for humanity and most religions, since doing aikido training 5 days a week at the dojo and the other 2 days at home workin on sumit, i mellowed a little, but still was a little aggressive in my technique, then after receiving my first dan and putting on the mighty black skirt( which makes me feel a little more balanced)in technique and movement( of course not mentally you fools)lol...i need suspenders for that.,lol....ive come to find that aikido is my spiritual medicine( and yes ive copyrighted the name for a book title),it heals all ills, my black heart is becoming clearer by the day.now all i have to do is learn to spell, not like as in cast a spell i know that allready,having satan for a father it just came natural.anyhow aikido is fantastic and will always be, it truley is the art of love...............what....do you want me crucified for my profanitys............lol....hope you enjoyed reading this,and i hope its shed a ray of light on to those who may need it.....thanyou and goodnight, :) evileyes :ai:

[mut]

anyway what i was tryin to say was i know longer hate the world its a beautiful place,and we are all different and must be tolerant of each others ways,we must progress as humans so we can learn to live in harmony with nature and develop a love and protective bond for all of satans little creations,but we must first heal our main disease( ignorance) and learn to accept......wow god dam im insane.

[Michael Meister]

wow god dam im insane.

I cannot argue with that, nor that you are plainely an Aikido addict. With other words, the reason we continue with Aikiod, apart from the people, the fun, the beerwaza, the joy of giving and receiving pain, is the simple fact that stopping would mean cold turkey...

[Michael Meister]

I did forget to say: HUMPFENSTUFEN!

[Selnith]

you may be insane Mut but we love you anyways, or i do at least, maybe that's coz i'm insane too, that makes sense, shhh don't tell anyone

[Amanda]

Because it's fun

[mriehle]

Because it's fun

Well, yeah, of course. :D :D :D :D

All the other reasons, really, are just variations on the theme.

Aren't they?

[Michael Meister]

coz i'm insane too, that makes sense, shhh don't tell anyone

I will not argue with that either. Humpfenstufen!

[mut]

I will not argue with that either. Humpfenstufen!
HUMPFENSTUFEN , alone is a good enough reason to do aikido.ha see now we have most people confused, and i wont argue with that either, :D :ai:

[Kampfussel]

Training with German instructors who tell the class to screw themselves into the mat whilst explaining the execution of a breath throw. All the dan grades laugh, all the kyu grades don't know where to put themselves. lol... HUMPFENSTUFEN forever

[Selnith]

because somehow it always provides a link home
checked out a new dojo on monday night, one of the dan grades there is from the other side of the river from my home, lives in the town, works a bit further south of where i am now and trains here
small world of addicts

[Dirk Hanss]

I will not argue with that either. Humpfenstufen!

Sorry off topic, Michael.

I just don't understand the phrase HUMPFENSTUFEN

It looks German, but is not really common in my environment.

Google and Yahoo only refer to aikido web pages. So it could be aikido related. but then I found that the only source is Michael Meister - namely a masterly aikidoka (i.e. by name, I do not know your experience).

It sounds related to beer or wine, but I thought the best solution is to ask the source itself.

Could you please help me out of my ignorance and give me some more info about what 'Humpfenstufen' means?

Many thanks

Dirk

[mut]

Sorry off topic, Michael.

I just don't understand the phrase HUMPFENSTUFEN

It looks German, but is not really common in my environment.

Google and Yahoo only refer to aikido web pages. So it could be aikido related. but then I found that the only source is Michael Meister - namely a masterly aikidoka (i.e. by name, I do not know your experience).

It sounds related to beer or wine, but I thought the best solution is to ask the source itself.

Could you please help me out of my ignorance and give me some more info about what 'Humpfenstufen' means?

Many thanks

Dirk
hi dirk, my nameis mut, im michaels instructor in the uk,the word humpenstufen, well here goes. a large part of our organization is in germany, and every year we travel to various parts of germany to train, we all here the germans speak but being dumb english we never learn it enough to speak it, so one day whilst in a bavarian bar somewhere a friend of mine steve said i could just do with a humpenstufen,,,i laughed and said you mean hefe weissen, he said yes.we then told all our german friends this, they laughed and so the word was born, since then it has grown into a greeting and also a ki expression and also the one international word that means everything..i hope this helps..... :) :) :p :ai:

[Michael Meister]

hi dirk, my nameis mut, im michaels instructor in the uk,the word humpenstufen, well here goes. a large part of our organization is in germany, and every year we travel to various parts of germany to train, we all here the germans speak but being dumb english we never learn it enough to speak it, so one day whilst in a bavarian bar somewhere a friend of mine steve said i could just do with a humpenstufen,,,i laughed and said you mean hefe weissen, he said yes.we then told all our german friends this, they laughed and so the word was born, since then it has grown into a greeting and also a ki expression and also the one international word that means everything..i hope this helps..... :) :) :p :ai:

Mut, you beat me to the answer... Only one thing to add, the way the word evolved, is a good reason to stay in Aikido. Because in a way it is a description, a symbol (for those initiated of course :D ) for the hospitality and friendlyness many of us encounter when visiting fellow Aikidoka.

[Kim Rivers]

I stay w/ aikido because...
1) it's a great way to travel, even if it's just in rolls around the mat.
1) My dojo mates actualy miss me if I don't show for a while.
3) Everyone looks great in a hakama!
4) Our dojo's allow for any coloured hakama, so our photos look spectacular and I now have a deep royal purple one!
5) we have such a large percentage of women that one of the best compliments one can hear is "you fight like a girl."

[emma.mason15]

sensei drags you by the hair back to the dojo? ... i fear him! .. but inm all seriousness ... im not actually training anymore! (ducks and hopes not to be hit/thrown/ or otherwise tormented!

[Selnith]

because i'm a glutten for pain :hypno:

[Angela Morton]

i started aikido to learn how to turn my brother's technique against him (i think he believes little sister to be a direct translation from perfect uke)

(oh yea, and from my first session i decreed that i wouldn't stop till i had hakama, and when i get them i swear i'll wear them for a week)

To Matthew everyone translates as perfect uke, including fiance (that'd be me for those who don't know, Krystyna's soon to be sister-in-law person thingy).

I dreamed of hakama then took a two year break, which brings me to my reason to stick with aikido, because coming back after a break really, really, really (10x really) hurts. I am not taking a break again, it hurts too much, and learning not to fear rolling on my left arm again is hard.

[Selnith]

I'm not allowed to quit, they won't let me! They'll come and get me! (or one will at least)

[reisler]

3. The people. Aikido seems to attract and RETAIN an exceptionally precious, QUIRKY, fun, sound, safe, honorable, integrity-laden, genuine, sincere, kind, passionate, lighthearted yet grounded community of people. People with strong arms and smile, people who teach from the heart and embrace you even as they are throwing you ... people who bring gentleness to a potentially harsh discipline ... People I can trust and love and laugh with. Dedicated aikidoka --- the real students, the ones who are truly into it --- are an indescribably precious treasure for whom I thank God.

4. It makes me feel strong. It helps me hold my head up and my shoulders back. I can handle seemingly unrelated things so much better as a result of martial arts training, dumb stuff that used to absolutely stress me out . I can't explain it, but the more I'm training, the better I can handle life's wrinkles. I just feel stronger all around, muscles and mind. And braver. Because I try things on the mats I normally would never have pushed myself to attempt. Even something as simple as the fact that I can and do get up over and over again after getting thrown, pinned,and all around battered over and over again shows me that I'm tougher than I thought I was. Aikido helps me be stronger, braver, and tougher. Aikido is helping to grow me into, a woman with presence.

Many reasons, but the ones above pretty much say it all.
I am ever so grateful for my Aikido family.

[reisler]

also,

love to see a man in a Hakama *sigh*:o

[Aikirk]

Why thank you. Now I really can't wait for my shoulder to heal, so I can return to the mat! :( ;)

[pezalinski]

Because it's the most fun I can have with my clothes on; I can play with anyone and everyone, regardless of sex, age, or ability; we can play one-on-one or in groups -- the more, the merrier; playing by myself isn't frowned on, though it's actually more difficult; it's OK for people to stop and just watch; "Please" and "Thank you" are an integral part of practice; even when it hurts, it's good.

[mickeygelum]

...Aikido has it's place in the martial world, and I am one of the few that has life experience that that is true....

...there are more than ten reasons not to associate oneself with Aikido, due to the contemporary perception of Aikido...

...to keep my word, and honor a great Sensei....

Train well,

Mickey

[aikishihan]

Your are fully aware of its benefits.

You are fully aware of its consequences.

You unconditionally choose to remain on your path.

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In Oneness,

[Randy Sexton]

Because I need to. It's my exercise, my fun, my therapy, and I learn something new every day.

Doc:D

[earnest aikidoka]

To take the UFC by storm.

amen to that

[earnest aikidoka]

to be strong and protect myself and possibly others

[Shadowfax]

Because I want to be a good roll model. :)

[ninjaqutie]

Because it is something that challenges me
Because I love being tossed around

[JCT53]

Because...

1) I need a topic of discussion

2) My friends think of me as a person who can hold her own and does not need to be looked after all the time.

3) I enjoy having my head in the clouds and comin crashing back down again*

4) Who doesn't like getting to knock people down and not get in trouble for it!?

5) My fellow Aikidok's are the ductape to my wallet; they hold me together when life is rough.

6) I get a type of thrill being uke; beats getting it by bungee junping!!!

* Yes, I mean crashing! My ukemi for some moves is not the best by a long shot (especially after the last four days of band that lasted from 8:00am to 5:15pm)

[JCT53]

Because I am a teenaged daughter and needed to get away from my parents. :cool:

Amen to that!! :D If I couldn't escape to class 3 times a week, I would be so dead :dead: for exploding at my dad out of frusteration with him!!
(You would think that eyeliner was an illeagel drug or something the way he looks when I use it :disgust: )

(Have you ever gotten that I-want-to-launch-you-into-the-air-so-far-you-can-see-the-mansion-high-above-the-clouds-you-don't-shut-up-up-about-but-can't-because-you-have-to-drive-me-to-class feeling?)

[JCT53]

OK, so apparently I was too serious in my previous answer. So, here is my cheeky reply (well, cheeky but all very true!):

4. Because I'm such a klutz, it's a valuable life skill for me to know how to fall and land safely.

So true!! YAY for all the of us klutzy people who trip over invisible objects and have to fall with style when we trip in public :o so it looks planned :D ;)

[Mikemac]

I try and resist........BUT THE HAKAMA JUST KEEPS CALLING ME MAN!!....It taunts me......makes me want to earn the experience to wear it......

It a monkey on my back I tell you!!!:hypno:

[GMaroda]

I stay because if I didn't Cherie Cornmesser would track me down after she broke all her other ukes.

[Shadowfax]

I stay because if I didn't Cherie Cornmesser would track me down after she broke all her other ukes.

Very funny....Just wait until our next class together. :D

I stay because aikido has brought happiness into my life.

And because Gregg would be disappointed if I didn't hurt him once in a while.

and .... well I have not missed a class in 7 months and I want to get the perfect attendance award for 2010. :p