Top Ten Reasons you STAY with Aikido

Because I'm 50 now and if I stopped, I'd never get moving again!

Jeanne

I teach school. Stress management!

There's always something to learn; the challenge to constantly develop oneself.

Because it's fun to fly.

Karen Wolek wrote: Because it's fun to fly.

To enjoy the flying I need to keep practicing my landings.

To take the UFC by storm.

Because it can get a lot worse and not much better.

Jeanne Shepard wrote: Because I'm 50 now and if I stopped, I'd never get moving again! Jeanne

Because at 41, this is the time of my life to get into it and hope to develop an appreciable amount of knowledge and skill. If I dropped it for another 15-20 years, it might be possible to pick it up in my 60s.

Because 25 years from now, I want to look back at 25 years of doing Aikido. (My Kali instructor woould want to congratulate me, too, although he will probably keep his hands behind his back.)

Because I feel good after practice.

Because it doesn't wipe me out as much as it did two years ago.

.... but most of all ....

Because I'm an Aikido addict!

because once something has saved your life, physically as well as mentally you can never really say goodbye to it...and why would you want to?

Because there really is nothing else I would rather do. Since this is the tenth reply, is this thread done now?

Ah dam, i got here too late, and here's me with this really deep and profound reason for staying with aikido............ but the post does say top ten, never mind.

Steve Mullen wrote: Ah dam, i got here too late, and here's me with this really deep and profound reason for staying with aikido............ but the post does say top ten, never mind.

no, no! you must tell us. they have not been ranked in order of which are the best answers to give! after all answers have been given then we can decide why we all stay doing this.

.........My god I am soooo anal! (just kidding, couldn't give a s**t really!)

because it's a better way to explain the bruises than saying the wife beat me up again! (she is my favourite training partner )

Because suffering from withdrawal syndrome is too much for me to bear.

Life - Aikido = Death.

Its the best way to punish the body and feed the mind.

Because I just got my hakama, and I can neither tie it well, do aikido well while wearing it, nor fold it well.
Who said there is nothing more to learn?

Because I like it !!

Or as I always say...it's the most fun you can have for $150 per month (the monthly dues at the NY Aikikai)

Because it is by far the most fun, frustrating, and cool thing I've ever done and plan to do it until I can't anymore (dead)! So much to learn/try/do ... infinite variations!!

I have to stick with it now, or else my students can't learn it (at least not locally).

I also look damn good in a hakama.

I drive approx. 1 1/2 hours to dojo, work out for 2 hours, drive 1 1/2 hours home for each class. So, there's got to be something to this!

In random order/level of importance not revealed by numbering:

1. Because since the divorce, it's the most human, physical contact I get during the week. Never underestimate how essential touching needs are. I have desperate need for raw physicality in my life right now. I don't have sex. I don't have snuggling and cuddling. I have aikido.

2. Because those moments of pure ki are addictive. They are rare and spectacular. Every now and then, I actually kind of get something right and feel a rhythm and flow and energy and it is breathtaking, exhilirating, and addicting. Empowering.

3. The people. Aikido seems to attract and RETAIN an exceptionally darling, precious, QUIRKY, fun, sound, safe, honorable, integrity-laden, genuine, sincere, kind, passionate, lighthearted yet grounded community of people. People with strong arms and smile crinkled eyes ... people who teach from the heart and embrace you even as they are throwing you ... people who bring gentleness to a potentially harsh discipline ... People I can trust and love and laugh with. Dedicated aikidoka --- the real students, the ones who are truly into it --- are an indescribably precious treasure for whom I thank God.

4. It makes me feel strong. It helps me hold my head up and my shoulders back. I can handle seemingly unrelated things so much better as a result of martial arts training, dumb stuff that used to absolutely stress me out like the bank making an error on my account, finding a new insurance company, the car making a disturbing sound. I can't explain it, but the more I'm training, the better I can handle life's wrinkles. I just feel stronger all around, muscles and mind. And braver. Because I try things on the mats I normally would never have pushed myself to attempt. And, I frequently shock myself by pulling off some of the daring stuff. Even something as simple as the fact that I can and do get up over and over again after getting thrown, pinned,and all around battered over and over again shows me that I'm tougher than I thought I was. Aikido helps me be stronger, braver, and tougher. Aikido is helping to grow me into being a tough chic, a woman with presence.

Well, sheesh...that kindof makes me liking to "chunk" folks sound just a wee bit shallow!
And Rigel, I wish I had found something as healing and solid as this after my divorce....
Lan

I to like the frequent flier miles.. and hey it beats jogging!

Rigel Keffer wrote: I drive approx. 1 1/2 hours to dojo, work out for 2 hours, drive 1 1/2 hours home for each class. So, there's got to be something to this! In random order/level of importance not revealed by numbering: 1. Because since the divorce, it's the most human, physical contact I get during the week. Never underestimate how essential touching needs are. I have desperate need for raw physicality in my life right now. I don't have sex. I don't have snuggling and cuddling. I have aikido. 2. Because those moments of pure ki are addictive. They are rare and spectacular. Every now and then, I actually kind of get something right and feel a rhythm and flow and energy and it is breathtaking, exhilirating, and addicting. Empowering. 3. The people. Aikido seems to attract and RETAIN an exceptionally darling, precious, QUIRKY, fun, sound, safe, honorable, integrity-laden, genuine, sincere, kind, passionate, lighthearted yet grounded community of people. People with strong arms and smile crinkled eyes ... people who teach from the heart and embrace you even as they are throwing you ... people who bring gentleness to a potentially harsh discipline ... People I can trust and love and laugh with. Dedicated aikidoka --- the real students, the ones who are truly into it --- are an indescribably precious treasure for whom I thank God. 4. It makes me feel strong. It helps me hold my head up and my shoulders back. I can handle seemingly unrelated things so much better as a result of martial arts training, dumb stuff that used to absolutely stress me out like the bank making an error on my account, finding a new insurance company, the car making a disturbing sound. I can't explain it, but the more I'm training, the better I can handle life's wrinkles. I just feel stronger all around, muscles and mind. And braver. Because I try things on the mats I normally would never have pushed myself to attempt. And, I frequently shock myself by pulling off some of the daring stuff. Even something as simple as the fact that I can and do get up over and over again after getting thrown, pinned,and all around battered over and over again shows me that I'm tougher than I thought I was. Aikido helps me be stronger, braver, and tougher. Aikido is helping to grow me into being a tough chic, a woman with presence.

Wow. Nice post. I have similar feelings, but I posted something cheeky because it's the humor section. There are quite a few wonderful people in my life that would not be there if not for aikido (including my wife and daughter). I'm glad that your training has done so much for you.

Just remember to pass it on.

Top Ten Reasons you STAY with Aikido

10: I get to GRAB PEOPLE'S WRIST;

9: People get to GRAB MY WRIST;

8: I cause pain to PEOPLE and the are HAPPY;

7: PEOPLE cause pain to me and I am HAPPY;

6: PEOPLE applaud me when I SLAM them hard on the MAT;

5: I applaud PEOPLE when I get slam hard by them onto the MAT;

4: My Dojo has a NO SMOKING POLICY;

3: I am not a SMOKER;

2: I look fabulous in HAKAMA;

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[spoiler]1: Said HAKAMA covers my potruding GUT ....Sigh![/spoiler]

Boon.

Because you go in with a frown and come out with a smile. Hmm, if we could only broadcast that during rush hour on I-95 coming from DC. . .