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scarey 06-19-2011 10:28 PM

Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Why do *you* study Aikido? If you're a veteran, have your reasons changed much? If beginning, what is your purpose?

Tim Ruijs 06-20-2011 01:47 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Very good question indeed.

When I was young I really loved (actually still do!) the Chinese martial art movies (mainly Kung Fu) and off course wanted to be like that.
In my neighbourhood this was not possible and other martial arts were hard/confronting which I did not like and still do not. So I went swimming, volleyball, gymnastics. Many years later I found out one of my nephews practised Aikido and was very enthousiastic about it. He told me stuff, showed me a couple of things...three months later I attended summer school of Kanetsuka Sensei and Fujita Sensei. I was sold.:D
Over the years learned more, changed styles and finally found my Aikido. I found out that learning how to hurt someone should not have to hurt, if you understand. I feel that is what Morihei drove to develop Aikido. Create a softer method of training (more accessible).

So why? At the time because I just loved the acrobatics and beating these masters displayed, nowadays to better myself and help my (and other) students to find their way.:cool:

Jauch 06-20-2011 03:31 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Well...
.
I started because on that time (almost 10 years ago), my life was a bit "messy". So, a doctor told me that do an oriental martial art would be good to me. He advises me kung fu. But because I have a friend of mine that was (and still is) practicing aikido already, I choose aikido them.
.
For sure, at that time, "self defense" was not a concern to me (and still isn't).
.
I can say that aikido became very important to me, for many reasons.
The most important, probably, is that I love to fly over tatamae. ;)
.
And what's my purpose now? Why I still training?
.
For many reasons too. But the most important I think it is... "Bath sponge move in the shower the force with will I..." :D
.
Someday, who knows...? ;) haha

SeiserL 06-20-2011 05:01 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I usually say its because I don't golf. (Something about those windmills and clown faces freaked me out. ;-)

Initially it seemed like the natural next step in my martial studies.

Now (after 16 years) I just enjoy the training and the people.

St Matt 06-20-2011 05:17 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I started it as I was looking for a self defense method. I have a permanently damaged ankle and therefore running away from any kind of confrontation is not an option. I chose Aikido because when I looked into it I thought the training had very little kicks / leg sweeps, unlike Karate and Ju-jutsu etc as these would be a problem with my condition. Also I have always seemed to turn/spin when friends and myself have had a bit of play fighting and I saw this in a certain action hero's fight scenes so thought it may suit me ;-)

I am now really enjoying my training and try to go as much as possible. Would I be able to use it as a 5th kyu if a self defense situation arose? I think I probably would (depending on the attacker) so it is doing what I wanted it to!

lbb 06-20-2011 06:30 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Because I want to. No great plans or grand ambitions here.

graham christian 06-20-2011 08:17 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
High Shawn.
My purpose as a confused teenager was to try to make some sense out of life. I had read some books and then came across Aikido and a Teacher that gave me hope.

Nowadays teaching I would say my main purpose is to help to put it in a nutshell.

It is interesting also that it's the main question I have for anyone who wants to train with me ie: What's your purpose? This alone gives me the idea of whether I can help them or to direct them to someone I know who can.

Regards.G.

Mark Uttech 06-20-2011 08:59 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Onegaishimasu,
Aikido is much like the physical expression of Nature, what is that harmony that appears? But it catches our attention and interest again and again and over the years becomes everything we are.
In gassho,
Mark

Keith Larman 06-20-2011 09:25 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
because it was always too hard to find open courts for playing tennis and the wife wasn't all that interested in playing regularly. And I can't afford a membership to the local swim clubs or country clubs. And I hate jogging.

Okay, that was a *somewhat* joking answer. But the reality is that for most of us something simply "fits" our lives, expectations, etc. For me I started Aikido because I was skeptical. I stayed after experiencing what a couple people I still train with to this day could do to me even though I was bigger, younger, stronger, and even had a few tricks up my sleeve from other training. I went in pursuit of that thinking it would be hard to learn. And it was. And still is. But in the end it is simply something I *do*. Not much more complicated than that...

BKK 06-20-2011 09:48 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I started Aikido because it looked like something that I would enjoy, and because it looked like it would give me more options than the Tae Kwon Do I was doing, so I tried it and loved it, and I still do it because I love it and enjoy it, although the reasons I enjoy it have changed over the years.

In the beginning it was the physicality of it as well as the challenge of learning to do what sensei and the senior students seemed to do so easily. Now I teach, but I still have a teacher, so I'm still a student and there are still challenges, but they are different challenges. It doesn't appear that there will ever not be any challenges in it for me, and as long as I can do it I will do it.

Brian

ninjaqutie 06-20-2011 01:28 PM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
For something to do. Keeps me curious because I find it so challenging.

Dave de Vos 06-20-2011 02:38 PM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Because it's a deep intellectual, mental and physical challenge.

And it's fun too :)

Shadowfax 06-20-2011 08:37 PM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Because no matter how I feel when I get in the car to go to the dojo I always leave it feeling happy and relaxed. :)

dapidmini 06-21-2011 02:55 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I started aikido because I was a little overweight. over the years, I became to love it and made many friends with various backgrounds and skills especially in martial arts. and recently I realized that somehow I'm addicted to the feeling when I'm training and after.

gates 06-21-2011 04:01 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I could give a myriad of reasons, instead here is a shoddy poem.

The eternal pursuit of truth and happiness led me to the dojo gate,
A request was made “please leave your shoes and ego at the door”,
A few hours later my body was bruised and sore.

To forge out the impurities from my body and soul that is why I came
I pray every day in every moment that I do not forget the reasons I need to train

Now i've started I’ll carry on along this path until the very end, I'll manage tai no henka one day, even if it drives me round the bend.

(A poet I ain't)

Carsten Möllering 06-21-2011 06:54 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I practice, because it is the right thing to do.
Jus as to breathe.

Eric Hood 06-21-2011 01:49 PM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I wanted to do a martial art. I was looking for Krav Maga. But, I live in the boonies. My buddy got me interested.

amoeba 06-22-2011 03:06 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I was always kind of interested in japanese martial arts - throwing, rolling etc. sounded cool. So when a friend asked me to come along for a class, I did. I liked it, I was actually more talented for aikido than for other kinds of sports (at which I always sucked), so I quit tennis and stayed in aikido. Sounds prosaic, but that's about it...:D

Why do I keep practicing today? Mainly because I just enjoy training, because it' a lot of fun, I still like the throws and the rolling (and falling), there's a lot of nice people around and I've found new friend all over the world.

But to be honest, I guess that if my friend had started judo or karate back then (and the school had been as good), I might have had just as much fun there...

Anjisan 06-22-2011 06:05 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Quote:

Cherie Cornmesser wrote: (Post 286166)
Because no matter how I feel when I get in the car to go to the dojo I always leave it feeling happy and relaxed. :)

So true! Especially when I can get myself up at 5am to get to the 6am class. I feel miserable getting there, but I feel great coming home!

Anjisan 06-22-2011 06:09 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Quote:

Eric Hood wrote: (Post 286241)
I wanted to do a martial art. I was looking for Krav Maga. But, I live in the boonies. My buddy got me interested.

I am also looking at Krav Maga, specifically to compliment my Aikido. In particular, I am looking to expand my weapons takeaways/disarms.

aikidoka81 03-15-2012 01:08 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Mainly for self-defence, exercise and to build my self-confidence and self-esteem.

notdrock 03-15-2012 02:14 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Structure. The basis of all good martial arts stem from structure and self-awareness. O' Sensei saw this and found a beautiful way to train it.

JLRonin 05-10-2013 11:37 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
It fits my essence and personality.

Cliff Judge 05-10-2013 11:41 AM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
Because everybody thinks it is foolish.

BJohnston 05-11-2013 01:36 PM

Re: Why Do You Study Aikido?
 
I needed a release. I had always been fascinated with the movements of Aikido. I had a friend involved in MMA. I was looking for something to try. In his opinion Aikido was ideal because it's an art that you can grow old with. Unlike some other arts that may be a bit more harsh on the body. I did my due diligence with researching history, styles, the philosophy...etc. I was lucky to have found a great dojo. I haven't looked back. It's actually given me so much more than I ever anticipated.

B


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