Aikido Addictive??

Karen Wolek wrote: I might be a freak, but no, the only times I miss class are when I am sick or I can't get there because of a snowstorm or something. I have three kids and I teach preschool for a living, so most days I am pretty tired driving to the dojo (a 40 minute drive), but I ALWAYS can't wait to get there.

No, you are *not* a freak. I'm also the same way; always on the mat unless I'm working late or if something is ailing me a *little* too much. And if I'm not able to train for some other reason, I'm usually watching video clips of past seminars, tests, etc. Can't get enough...

As far as "addictions" go, I guess there are worst things to get hooked on...

If Aikido is a high or top priority, then I don't think its an addiction. If its the ONLY priority, and you're doing it to the exclusion of working, being with family, having a social life, then it is an addiction, and also IMHO not aikido anymore.

Mary Malmros wrote: Oh, I know what you mean. I have a bit of a different feeling about it. For me, aikido is something that's a part of my life, and that helps my life stay in balance. Like today, I'm having a very busy, fairly frustrating, all too verbal and cerebral day, and I'm not happy because I am having to deal with some pretty nasty and passive-aggressive people. When I go to the dojo tonight, I won't have to do any talking or any persuading or deal with any snarky bullshit. I'll be able to just work at something, with no deadline, and whatever improvements I make or understanding I come to will be enough. That's a pretty important thing on days like this.

I agree with Mary. I have made Aikido a part of my everyday life. On the days that I am not at the dojo I practice with my son or by myself.
When I am practicing Aikido I force myself to think of nothing else except the Aikido I am practicing, the enjoyment I receive from Aikido counterbalances things I don't enjoy about everyday life.

Tonight I was at a meeting where one of the members of the committee I am on ticked me off. After the meeting I went to practice and had an extremely difficult time focusing. After forcing myself to concentrate on my practice, I forgot about being angry and enjoyed the rest of my practice. The meeting put me in disharmony and the Aikido practice put me back into my harmony ( A pleasing combination of elements in a whole: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/harmony)

David