Aikido Advice for Women and a Few Men

When I practiced Iwama style Aikido years ago, it was very physical and often harsh. I imagine that this somewhat young martial art, having been transplanted to the United States from Japan, was in the middle of an evolution. I was a young woman engaging in what seemed a stressful frenzy at the time. The […]
The Awkwardness and Angst of The Beginner: In Aikido or at Anything

I ache all over. My Achilles heel is puffed up like a golf ball, my left knee squeaks when I move, my shoulders have more knots in them than a sailor can tie. All from training zealously for my Aikido test next Saturday. Aikido training Photo Credit: Nikos Gazetas It’s for my 1st Kyu, the test […]