Stretching
Have you ever tried changing your stretching exercises; as in, perhaps "resting" the different muscle groups in the same way a weightlifter will not train the same set of muscles every day, but still "warming up" overall? Try putting on Bengay or similar before you stretch. It's always helped my Dad (he's about your age)when he's about to perform strenous exercise
Also try squatting, flexing and bending your back and legs a little before class, just as everyone is coming onto the mat. It helps me a lot when I'm sore, and it gets me psyched to do my best.
In any case, flexibility is always hard to attain. Be patient and don't push it. Aikido is not a race, you have the rest of your life to get better at it.
Just some thoughts.
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