Aikido and Family

Has Aikido effected your family (other than being able to defend yourself from unruly children, siblings and parents)?

During the summer, when I'm not working (teacher here), my family enjoys me coming home from aikido a happier person.

During my regular working time, I feel I sometimes miss out on the little things with the kiddies. However, my wife and kids know how much aikido means to me. I make a strong effort to give the kids more undivided attention before and after I''m gone for aikido. But I still miss aikido if my kids have ball games- they're only kids once. Balance is probably the most important aiki principle to everyday life.

I have recently moved and changed dojo. My new dojo is a shorter commute and has earlier hours (= happier wife)

Daniel Pierson wrote: During the summer, when I'm not working (teacher here), my family enjoys me coming home from aikido a happier person.

My wife has noticed how much happier and calmer I am since I started practicing again. I've noticed that I am more tolerant toward my children when things don't go right. My son and I go to practice together and sometimes my daughter. This gives me another opportunity to communicate verbally and non verbally with my son and leads to discussions of thing other than Aikido.

My family has always been very supportive of my Aikido and I try hard to not make it too inconvenient for them. I am grateful which helps be be more appreciative.

To enter (irimi), connect (musubi), and blend (awase) with our families and community means we are constantly practicing our Aikido.

Great question.

My Sensei in the UK stresses aikido that is compatible with family life.

Personally my love for aikido often takes me away from my family geographically but what it teaches me has bought me closer to them as people.