Why Aikido?

The reasons that people take up the art of Aikido are as numerous as there are aikidokas (practitioners of aikido). Some of the top reasons given by people included:

• Self-defense
• Fitness, exercise
• Integrate body and mind
• General self-improvement
  
• Want to be like Steven Segal : )

Aikido has many benefits to offer from physical to emotional to spiritual (for some people). The reason we take up the art may not in fact be the reason that sustains our practice of the art. That is, one person may begin AiTkido for self-defense reasons but find that the mental qualities s/he is developing (discipline, confidence, balance, etc.) become more important over time and are ultimately why s/he stays faithful to the art for many years.

Today may be a good time to consider what draws you to Aikido. Think about your motivations. How strong are they? A day may come when you do not feel like training and it will be in that moment that the strength of your desire will be important. Staying aware of your motivation and keeping it strong will help you should that day arrive.

To your practice!