dion

I have trained in both and decided to dedicate to aikikai, iwama was too soft for me and I felt aikikai weapons were better for me. I don't think styles/systems are the issue, I think it's the particular instructor and what the individual is looking for in aikido.

my instructor in the iwama style was great but I felt it lacked the "hardness" I was after. I don't think one is better than the other just different.

I could go on and on but I don't want to bore everybody.