The US Mint is featuring youth sports on the quarters from 2027-2030, and they're conducting a survey to determine which sports should be featured on the coins. I'm taking the survey now and rather surprisingly, aikido is one of the options!

I'm not sure how the feedback will be taken, but I would imagine that the top 20 sports with the highest average feedback would bet on the coins (5 different designs per year).

Take the survey here: https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/youth-sports/

This is perhaps more so Daito-ryu than aikido, but do humour me. So I found this documentary on Daito-ryu technique, and one of the techniques shown is a throw called kasuminage. I cannot for the life of me figure out the difference between it and shihonage. I have linked the videod to both technique, performed by the same guy both against yokomen-uchi. If anyone understands the difference, please do share it!

Shihonage: https://youtu.be/aGY6ZZ6NHa4 (40:00)

Kasuminage: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QbQ2n-C6mDY (13:50)

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Forgive me for not knowing the names of the techniques as my martial arts background is in TKD/Boxing/BJJ. I really only train in bjj now. I have always had an interest in aikido, years ago I came across a stack of Aikido books in a second hand book shop, The Master course by Gozo Shioda and Angry White Pyjamas. I was watching a Japanese YouTube channel dedicated to Aikido (Aikido Shinburenseijuku) and saw a technique where you take your opponents wrist as he grabs for your gi, and you drive your other forearm through his elbow joint (with the joint rather than against it). I have repeatedly dropped trained, fully resisting people with this pretty simple move. I know fighting is not the focus in Aikido, but there is definitely something there. It seems to get lost in the philosophical chat. This is sparked an interest in me, I’m going to try to find other Aikido techniques that I can apply in full contact/resisting opponent scenarios. If I can get some videos, I’ll put them up here.

Looking at getting into martial arts again. Trying to find a good/real aikido instructor near Sarasota fl. The few that do show up look more like they are teaching choreography or dance instead of self defense. Want to learn from real instructors and not pay for rank like these fake schools.

Looking at getting into martial arts again. Trying to find a good/real aikido instructor near Sarasota fl. The few that do show up look more like they are teaching choreography or dance instead of self defense. Want to learn from real instructors and not pay for rank like these fake schools.

Everytime I see demonstration footages I wonder why doing them as most of the time the techniques are too soft and calculated (often times ukes litterally fly). So my questions are: what is the point? Performing a solo and get claps (I'm totally fine with it, don't get me wrong)? Doing marketing and gather new students? What're your thoughts?

I’ve been training Aikido for 10+ years and I’ve finally decided to capture some footage of me hitting these techniques live in sparring.

https://youtu.be/j3_5vQKEaUk?si=Z1McEwkstfSf02xj

I’d love to know your thoughts

I know a lot of you guys cross train also, What techniques do you like to use in grappling arts?

Obviously aikido (or, for the pedantic of us, whatever it is that you're doing that you call aikido) takes a lifetime and isn't a race, ect. That doesn't mean that a technique should take 20 years just to get to a workable state. I'm wondering if there are any other groups out there that make a point to find the best way to each student rather than going through the set path that you had to go through.

Edited to add: If you don't work towards that, why?

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I have just started a new Aikido class in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and I am trying to figure out the best way to spend my meagre ad budget.

So far I have tried Facebook ads, and once a Reddit ad, but that did not get any significant results.

For people who are responsible for promoting their dojos, what has worked for you?
Thanks for reading and responding.

Jesus Christ, I’ve been doing Aikido for the past 3-ish months and I still cannot get it right. Ironically I’ve done far more complex techniques with ease but I just cannot seem to do this.

If the uke is not resistant and folds under my hands then yeah sure, I can do it fine. But my dojo puts importance in resisting and a more “rough” Aikido if you will, more appliable to real-life scenarios (not actively fighting back, but resisting attempts at bringing them down). So if the uke resists and try to stay upright I cannot force them down.

I’ve genuinely questioned whether the technique is supposed to only work for completely pliant ukes but no, whenever my sensei does it on me I end up on the ground faster than I can blink, no matter how much I resist.

Any tips, explanations or video demonstrations are welcome. Thank you!

Hello,

I have practiced Aikido for many years and have always had trouble sitting in Seiza. I am about 6ft tall and trying to sit in Seiza always makes my legs go stiff and cramp. Are there specific exercises from Yoga or whatever else that people can recommend that I focus on to improve my Seiza sitting ability. Thank you.

I recently joined and left the martial arts sub-reddit. I was hoping to pick up some good discussion and knowledge about martial arts in general. It’s mostly a sub-reddit focussed on BJJ, MMA, boxing, etc.

I have no issue with those topics but didn’t expect to find them dominating a martial arts group.

In my mind, a martial art has no competition and it’s about spending years understanding techniques so they can be effective no matter the size or strength of an opponent. I see this as different to combat sports where partners are grouped based on size, age and other categories to change the learning curve and compete.

Am I out of touch, do you see a distinction between martial art and combat sport?

Besides Saotome sensei are there any other students of the founder still practicing in the U.S.? I'm not affiliated with ASU but am considering soliciting an offer to train at the Aiki Shrine in Sarasota.

I'd like to hear thoughts on training with Saotome, if there are other deshi to seek out in the U.S., and if training with the Founder's students is worth it at this point or if energy is better spent elsewhere. It would require a fair bit of time and capital to visit Florida, but the small format with more 1:1 time sounds productive.

Thank you.

Edit: Thanks everyone for comments and insight. Sounds like this won't advance my aikido in any way but maybe I can fold it into a family visit and train at a cool dojo. I'll see if ASU let's me in. Have a good night.

How is everyone’s training going this month? Anything special you are working on? What is something that is currently frustrating you? What is something that you had a breakthrough on?

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Hi Folks,

A friend and I are looking at dojo locations in a moderately sized Midwestern town within driving distance of Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. Essentially, all the available real estate can be divided into two groups:

1. Large, warehouse-y spaces on the edges of town. Usually these are 3,000+ square feet, but are often harder to find for visitors and have limited signage options. But lots of parking. And so much space for seminars, etc.

2. Smaller spaces on main thoroughfares. These are 1,000-1,500 square feet, often in strip malls or old main streets, which have a lot of foot or vehicle traffic and signage and neighbors like restaurants. But tough to host a large group.

Do you have experience that could help us compare these two options? Thank you for your thoughts.

This has happened a handful of times, always in good faith. I usually either give them a very gentle nikkyo from a grab or just tell them I can't because if they don't train themselves they might get hurt. What are your thoughts? Is there anything basic you can demostrate without risking hurting someone?

Hi Folks,

A friend of mine has gotten a sponsorship to create a dojo. I'm a traditional carpenter (timber framing, joinery, etc.) and have been training for years, so I'm trying to gather resources to learn more about what goes into building a "proper" shomen enclosure for him. I've been to a lot of dojo (I used to travel for work) and know there's a huge variety. I've spent a lot of time looking at the woodworking and construction of the nicer ones, but I don't know the iconography and meaning behind the various nuanced parts of creating this space.

Do you have any online or written resources about designing this?

Thanks for sharing.

Where are you training? Have you done something special? Has your dojo released a cool clip? Want to share a picture of your kamisa? This thread is where you do this.

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I have experience in FMA, Muay Thai, and western fencing. For a variety of reasons, I would like to learn specifically jo by myself. I got Jo, The Japanese Short Staff - Dan Zier And Tom Lang 1985.

- Is this book any good?

- Is "self study" a realistic goal? I understand that a class is a far better option, but rn I can't do that.

- What should I watch out for in terms of "bad habits"?

Thanks so much

Joe

What are your thoughts on this video?

https://youtu.be/QC2O3sW6llI?si=R99eZEW-Woz9xTb6

Aikido’s strongest Wristlock? Used in BJJ sparring.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this. Whether or not your a purely an Aikidoka or whether or not you cross train?

Have you ever used this technique in a real situation?

Or do you this once something is done TO somebody and not WITH somebody it no longer becomes aikido?

I personally love aikido as a complimentary martial art not only to my martial arts practice as a whole, but to myself as a being.

Let me know what you guys think!

My training partner told me that there are no Aikido techniques against body tackle, that once someone manages to rush in and grab your midsection to pin you down to the ground then you're done.

So we spent 20 minutes after class trying out different situations. He did the body tackle against me. I've only been training for a year or two so I didn't have a lot of techniques to choose from, but I was able to move off the line, Kaiten Nage, Kokyu Nage, Irimi Nage and one or two Kotegaeshi.

However once he made contact with my body I would always be taken down and pinned to the ground with no way to escape.

Is there any Aikido techniques that would work once the other person has made contact with your midsection in a body tackle?

Hi I have my 6th kyu test very soon. I feel insufficient. Everyone around me makes tecniques easily. But When I heard even tecniques' name frezze and can do nothing. I can't do even basic rolls backward and front one. While I was doing rolls I look like a huge patato is trying to roll. I have tried many backrolls but my left side fails also my right side isn't enough to pass the exam. They are kidding about me but I feel like I will cry and even crying. I have been going to lessons for 3 months. Should I attend to exam? I thought finally I found a hobby that I can be successful at. But I was wrong.

This one is for the massage therapists who practice aikido

Back story: I've been practicing aikido for quite a few years now (got starting spring of 2019). Recently, I started school training to be a massage therapist, and there are a lot of parallels between the movement in aikido and the body mechanics we've been taught in class (use your center, etc).

As I'm only a couple months in, I'm hesitant to say there are changes to my aikido. But I am curious about all the potential ways my aikido will change.

If you started aikido before becoming a massage therapist, what kind of changes did you see in your practice? Do you have any tips for different things to look out for?

And just for kicks and giggles, if you were a massage therapist first, did your training affect your massage?

Any fun seminars going on? Feel free to share them here! At a minimum, please indicate date and location and how to sign up!

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As we prepare to welcome 2025, I’ve been reflecting on how 2024 has gone.

With that in mind, I’m curious; what are your aikido-related goals or plans for the upcoming year?

Are you aiming to refine a particular technique, explore weapons work, take ukemi for a favourite instructor, or even attend an international seminar? Maybe you’re planning to step into a teaching role, visit a new dojo, or work on your fitness to complement your training.

Whether it’s big or small, personal or shared, it would be great to hear what’s on the horizon for you. Let’s celebrate the diversity of our aikido journeys and get inspired for the year ahead!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and plans.

What do you think the most important things to consider while opening a new Dojo in Mogadishu.. bearing in mind that is might be the first ever Dojo to be opened in Somalia 🇸🇴 and it might be a showcase for spreading Aikido in the Country. I would like your insights on Marketing... Choosing Sensis and what are the most important aspects you put in place while Choosing your Dojo.

Why do people say Tenshin Aikido throws and take downs are very different than most mainstream Aikido?

Anyone here have any training with Tenshin Aikido? A number people said the throws and take downs are very different with Tenshin Aikido unlike mainstream Aikido.

People also say Tenshin Aikido is more direct and also tighter what do they mean by that? Also people say there is lot more deflections with Tenshin Aikido than mainstream Aikido?

Are the throws and take downs more theaters with mainstream Aikido unlike Tenshin Aikido.

Have a burning question? Need a quick answer?

• "Where can I find...?"
• "Is there a dojo near...?"
• "What's the name of that thing again?"

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What is main difference between mainstream aikido than say Tenshin Aikido?

What is the difference between mainstream aikido than say Tenshin Aikido? Is there any difference between Tenshin Aikido than mainstream aikido? Is Tenshin Aikido more modern aikido? If so what does it cover that different than mainstream aikido?