Benefits of Aikido
Some of the Benefits of Aikido Training
Physical Benefits
Some of the things aikido students may identify as benefits are: improved flexibility, better coordination and potentially weight loss. These visible benefits are easy for a student to see.There are also potential health benefits that are not so visible that can occur as the result of the exercise that aikido classes provide,along with an enhanced sense of well-being.
Aikido also teaches you how to use your body as a coordinated unit. If you spend most of the day sitting, driving, or working at a computer, your body can develop some unnatural movement patterns. The body awareness that Aikido develops is invaluable, not just during training but in your daily life. With an increase in body awareness, strength and mobility will soon follow. Improvements in mobility will keep you on the mats training for a long time and improve your prospects for aging without balance and bone fragility issues.Self Defence
While self defence often the reason that people come to Aikido it is rarely the reason they stay. Yes, it is important to be able to defend yourself if you need to. This requires not only physical skills but also a particular mental attitude that Aikido training helps develop. Aikido training builds self defence skills and a sense of security and confidence. In physical terms it also helps improve agility, balance, endurance, and flexibility.
The main lesson of Aikido however is it teaches you to avoid physical confrontations in the first placeLeadership
When you lead you show others the way to go. Instead of telling them you set an example. When you teach someone else a technique or when you take the warm up,the best way is usually by demonstration i.e. "showing the way". As you progress in Aikido you will be called on to share your knowledge, skills and insights with other students. Senior students who work hard and practice their skills lead by example. This focus on leadership can then flow into other areas of your life.
Best of all you will meet wonderful class mates who will guide and assist you throughout your aikido career. In the pursuit of excellence, you will learn skills that you will use for the rest of your life
The Mental Benefits
The mental aspects of aikido, such as mindfulness, concentration, and emotional balance are often overlooked
The process of learning a technique requires as much mental activity as it does physical. In order to learn a technique you must practice it over and over to understand, not just how to apply it, but how to respond to the individual differences of your training partners. This is a process of constantly evolving skill level over months and years.
If you get frustrated and quit when things get difficult Aikido is not for you. If you say "I can't do this" you will always be right but never successful. With aikido training there are going to be times of frustration . If you persist you can develop the confidence that comes with achievement. You will also begin to appreciate the value of going around an obstacle that is causing frustration rather than attacking it head on. The mental strength to keep trying even when things are not going your way will also show up in other areas of your life.The Personal and social Benefits
Learning Aikido requires a considerable of patience and attention to detail. The many techniques can take years to master but the effort is rewarded with a sense of accomplishment. This sense of accomplishment can empower us with self-esteem and confidence.
Aikido is a great stress relief. When you walk into the dojo to begin a class the stresses of your daily life can be left at the door. There is no space during a class to think about your bad day at work or school. Aikido requires focus so you don't miss essential details during a technique demonstration or lose opportunities with your training partner.
Being able to train surrounded by a supportive community is also an essential part of aikido training. Aikido friendships can be special and for some the Aikido community can become a second family. There is a bond between martial artists that allows you to throw and be thrown while laughing with the joy of well executed technique. This is something that few outside of the martial arts will ever understand and makes the aikido class an ideal place to meet new people and form friendships. .Conclusion
Aikido practitioners include a cross section of our society - doctors, lawyers, students, law enforcement, businessmen and women, and more. They all have one reason in common, to get better at Aikido, and at the same time, different and personal reasons for participating.
Aikido is suitable for all fitness levels and ages and our club aims to be inclusive and adaptable to individual fitness and skill levels. We will try to cater for disabilities wherever possible.
Our range of class nights can make it easier to fit aikido into your busy lifestyle and free trial classes allow you to experience aikido firsthand before making a commitment.
While we do not try to 'be Japanese' the cultural richness, the philosophical and historical background of aikido, is always present in an Aikido Dojo and there are some surprising overlaps with aspects of Maori culture.
The Aikido lifestyle is about taking the lessons learned on the mat and applying them to your everyday life.