A Journey Into Aikido: From Health Goals to Lifelon Practice.

A Journey Into Aikido: From Health Goals To Lifelong Practice

Upon turning 30, I realised that I was at the point in my life where I needed to take control of my health. I didn’t want to reach 40 or 50 and find myself so unhealthy that it affected my quality of life. I felt that if I made changes now, perhaps I could maintain the good health that I had so far taken for granted.

I had never been particularly sporty, but I remembered enjoying martial arts as a child. I briefly tried Judo when I was young but didn’t stick with it. Later, I practised Karate throughout most of secondary school. It was immensely enjoyable and even got me out of a few scrapes with bullies.

In the lead-up to my 30th birthday, I found myself in a job I didn’t particularly enjoy, with very little focus on anything I felt passionate about. Reflecting on how much martial arts had meant to me in my youth, I decided to revisit it as a possible route to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

As I began to research, I quickly realised that while many martial arts are impressive, they can also be punishing on the body. My prime objective was to be healthy at 40—not nursing avoidable injuries as I got older. On a whim, I vividly remember typing "peaceful martial art" into Google and to my complete surprise Aikido appeared.

I was immediately captivated. Its gracefulness combined with the fact that many practitioners continued well into their later years suggested to me that it could improve my health rather than damage it. It seemed to tick all the boxes and I felt compelled to see if anyone practiced it near by.

Finding My Dojo

I was surprised to find several dojos close to home. Without overthinking it, I messaged one of them and was invited to their next session. I was so excited—I couldn’t wait!

I went to my local club (Congleton) for my first practice and I was immediately struck with how the Sensei (Simon) was trying to convey something special. It was clear that he was on his own journey of exploration and was a dedicated student himself. He admitted to feeling like he was only just beginning to find something deeper in his own practice and over time his practice and the whole dojo has continued to grow together.

A link to Congleton Aikido Club:

http://congletonaikido.com

I often travel a lot with work. After a couple of years of Aikido practice, I started taking my gi with me and visited dojos wherever I went. I noticed that many clubs I trained at focused heavily on gradings, rigid forms and the use of force—almost like a conveyor belt system for earning rank. The practice that I witnessed in many places felt shallow in comparison to how I had been training at home and I often came away pondering if what I had seen at other dojo's was really the path that O'Sensei intended for us to follow.

In contrast, my Sensei focused on exploring the essence of Aiki. His philosophy valued the quality and sincerity of our practice far more than focusing on the next grading or the colour of the belt around your waist. Compared to some places, Congleton Aikido club has only ever attracted a small number of Aikidoka but what we lack in numbers, we make up for in an exceptionally high level of practice.

The Journey Over the Goal

Over time, Aikido became part of my weekly routine. Even as life in my 30s grew more demanding with the arrival of two wonderful children and increasing work responsibilities, I stayed committed to training. No matter how tired I felt, I always showed up. The consistency of regular practice had a profound impact on my life. I gained a circle of supportive friends and found a lifelong study that I can’t imagine ever giving up.

Shortly after my 40th birthday, I achieved my black belt. Ironically, the most significant thing I gained was losing the desire to achieve it. Ten years ago, I saw the black belt as the ultimate goal—a symbol of status that couldn’t be bought. Over time, my perspective changed. I realised I wasn’t turning up every week to gain something but rather to lose something: my ego.

The desire for a black belt faded as I became immersed in the training. Chasing a belt was, in hindsight, a distraction. I had to let go of that desire entirely and I’ve come to see the black belt as a paradox: only by shedding the need to achieve it can you truly earn it.

Beyond the Dojo

Aikido has profoundly influenced my outlook on life. The lessons I’ve learnt on the mat are filtering into my everyday perspective of who I am and how I experience the world around me. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to train every week with such a supportive group of friends.

Recently, I’ve felt a recurring desire to journal my experiences. I can't say why I want to do it, just that I do want to do it. I don’t have any expectations that anyone will read this but I’m always open to connecting with like minded people.