Being a daddy makes you look at aikido with different eyes.
Both my wife and I train which means on seminars we have to take turns in who cares for and entertains our young daughter, Rixt.
On the Kiiche Hine seminar our dojo organised last november we found out that Rixt reacts in a very positive way to the joy and energy generated on the mat. Laughingly she was racing on all fours towards the mat to be a part of all the fun.
Afterwards I started thinking about why at least my wife and I consider it natural to take Rixt with us to the seminar.
Click here for an image of Hine Sensei and Rixt