Are you doing all you can?

"Aikido is for everyone, but not everyone is for aikido"

I heard this expression some years ago and have never forgotten it.  When O-Sensei Ueshiba Morihei created modern aikido after the second world war, he wanted an art that leveraged his traditional background of sword, staff and jujitsu.  As well, he wanted an art that would be useful for self-defense (modern rather than battlefield) and that would be applicable in a variety of situations both by average citizens as well as law enforcement.  He wanted something moral and ethical that would promote spirituality, health and well-being and also a sense of calm among the practitioners.  Thus, aikido (The Way of Harmony) came to be.

I love aikido deeply and consider it a cornerstone of who I am as a martial artist and as a person.  You don't do aikido TO someone, you do aikido WITH someone, and I admire the connectedness and unity that aikido gives to how we move.  I think it truly is for everyone, and as a martial artist it is a great art to spend time exploring.

However, everyone is not for aikido.  What does this mean?
Many people are not ready for an art as holistic as aikido.  They want a movie/TV martial art served in 30 minute episodes (including commercial breaks) that can be consumed at random, at leisure.  They don't want to make a lasting commitment to change or have a regular training schedule. They don't want to invest a lot of time or energy.  The worst: they want something which is more violent (see also: "tactical").

All holistic martial arts have a lot in common.  They all deal with each personal sphere (physical, mental, emotional/spiritual).  They all address ideas of connectedness and community.  They all focus on health and personal development, bringing positive confidence to their students.  They all instill discipline and build skills in goal setting and leadership.  They all offer a lifetime journey of exploration and discovery which leads to personal growth and continuous learning.

I am deeply fortunate to have had such a wonderful experience and been influenced by so many amazing teachers over the past 38 years in and around martial arts.  Some have been coaches.  Some have been instructors.  Some have been scientists.  Many are still influencing me today.  Along my journey, I have been able to find keys to open doors, and this has led to new paths of discovery that have kept this path so interesting and fulfilling.  Martial arts has been my greatest investment in myself, and it continues to pay huge dividends every single day.

I want you to recognize, if you don't already, that the choice to learn martial arts in a holistic school, with a good instructor, can be the turning point in your life.  It can be so much more than punching and kicking.  It can bring you so much more than you ever dreamed.  But to get this, you have to be there FOR YOU.  You have to want every benefit and every bit of knowledge.  You have to seek it rather than wait for it to be handed to you.  You have to take ownership of your journey rather than just be led.  You have to do all you can - FOR YOU.

We all have such an incredible opportunity.
Let's make the most of it - together.