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Voice of the Fox
The Newsletter of the Martial Arts Training Service

Why Aikido?
by Jan Moretti
Spring 1999

Once, while I was watching my son during the Martial Tots class, another mom asked me if I ever wondered why I practice aikido. Although the conversation took a different turn before I could answer, little did this mom know that her small question would become a big one for me.

Do I ever wonder why I do aikido? Not every night, but often enough. When it's 8:00 pm and I'd rather stay home with my family, I wonder, “Why aikido?” When I've been throw on the mat for the umpteenth time and have to get up for the umpteenth and one time, I wonder, “Why aikido?” When I watch Sensei demonstrate a technique, recognize a technique I have practiced for years, and still go blank when it's my turn, I wonder, “Why aikido?”

After several years of practice and wondering, I still don't have an answer. There's the quick, obvious answer: endorphins and adrenaline. The endorphins come from the exercise. The adrenaline rush comes from the "Oh my God, I'm going to die!" reaction before taking a difficult ukemi. Starting as a very uncoordinated person, I knew this feeling a lot. As I've improved a bit, or at least have gotten used to the process, it's not quite as scary as it once was.

Part of the reason I do aikido is that I've been fascinated with it since a friend told me about the nonviolent martial art. I also wanted to learn something with my body after years of neglecting it. And I'm constantly amazed that I have come as far as I have (that it hasn't killed me yet).

Then there are Maureen Sensei and John Sensei. They are wonderful teachers and have attracted a good group of people to the dojo. When I stop to think about it, I'm amazed at the level of trust I have in my fellow students. I may know very little about the people outside of the dojo, but on the mat I feel like I know a lot about them.

Another reason I do aikido is for self-defense. I'm not sure I'd remember any true aikido techniques if I were attacked, but I have learned that self-defense is not walking down the street, cocky and unaware because I can beat people up. It's being aware enough of my surroundings that hopefully I'll see the potential for trouble before it happens and avoid it.

I am hoping that the inner strength I feel will radiate outwards so trouble will look for an easier victim. It's also comforting to know that all those times we practice a committed attack so nage can perform a technique will come in handy. If I need to strike an attacker, it will be a committed attack.
I'm told that exercise will keep you young. Sometimes I wonder about that when my knees creak. However, I figure I don't have to worry about my heart. If it were weak, I'd have had a heart attack by now. If I suffered from osteoporosis, something would have broken by now. Sometimes I wish I’d had a bone density test done before I started aikido. I think my bones must be stronger, and I wish I could prove it.

There's the realization that perseverance counts. Being unatheletic, it has been hard for me to learn things. Many people starting aikido have been more coordinated and picked things up faster than me. Yet they dropped out and I'm still here.

I also do aikido because I've made a commitment to do it. There are times that this is the only reason I show up on the mat.

I practice aikido because there are no competitions. I practice aikido because I like the mental of image of being 60 years old and still getting on the mat. And though promotions are concrete demonstrations of improvement, my goal isn't the rank, but to continue to show up on the mat for as long as possible.

Why aikido? Because as often as I think I'm crazy to do it, I think how much I enjoy doing it. I doubt I'll ever discover the definitive answer. But while I look for it, I'll continue to show up on the mat.

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