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If you practise Aikido for long enough, you’ll notice a pattern. People come and go. Some arrive full of enthusiasm and then disappear a few months later. Others leave unexpectedly, even those you were certain would train forever. Eventually, if you stay on the path long enough, you’ll probably find yourself asking the same question they did: Should I Quit Aikido? At some point in every Aikido journey, things become difficult. Progress is never a straight line. There are peak

If you’re considering going along to your first Aikido class, you might be feeling a little nervous. Don’t worry, it's completely normal to be aprehensive. To help put you at ease, I’ve written a few words about what to expect and some tips to help you make a good impression. What Is An Aikido Class Like? Aikido classes have a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Everyone on the mat remembers what it was like to be a beginner, and they’ll do their best to help you feel welcome

In Japanese, ukemi (受身) literally means “receiving body”. The Uke is the partner who initiates an attack, receives the technique and lands safely. When I’ve visited other dojos, I've often heard instructions that Uke should physically push into Tori in order to create connection. To me, this doesn’t make sense. If I have to connect with my partner by pushing into them, then surely I was disconnected before the technique started? Why would I spend most of my life existing as a

Whenever someone walks through the dojo doors for their first Aikido class, I would wonder what they’re hoping to find. They could be looking for confidence, fitness or self-defence. Maybe they’re searching for a new hobby or a sense of belonging. Perhaps beneath all of these reasons there is a quieter feeling: that something is missing, or that there is something more to discover. My reason for starting Aikido was simple: I wanted to earn a black belt. I imagined that it wou