Aikido practice, being self-paced, allows for a wide range of size or physical conditioning and background. One's physical health is greatly enhanced because the movements are smoothly circular and spiral and because there is a fair amount of aerobics in getting down to the mat, rolling, and standing back up. Also, the mind, body and spirit all become more flexible with time. This is a good practice for gradual weight-loss, as well as to develop the strength, flexibility and gracefulness necessary for sports or for performance arts. Smaller people find, often to their surprise, that their size is an advantage in Aikido techniques! For younger people in good shape there are lots of opportunities for a hard workout. Yet the average age of Aikido practitioners is somewhere in the late 30's, and it's not unusual to find people in their 60's or even older training with teenagers. Of course, if you have any physical limitations you should check with your doctor and the instructor regarding the appropriate activities and level of intensity for your training, but Aikido classes can be participated in profitably at various levels of fitness. In fact each person has some kind of limitation or disability: an important idea in Aikido training is to work with and through disabilities and difficulties and not be defeated by them.
"Always
practice the Art of Peace in a vibrant and joyful manner."
Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei
For a summary of our Aikido classes, please see our Class Description and Children's Aikido