“The main reason I continue to train is because it brings me joy. The physical aspect is incredibly fun, and the joy I feel from that combines with the human connection in a beautiful way. I felt instantly welcomed in this dojo and it's so inspiring to be around such kind, positive people....
“I want to continue to train Aikido because it helps me to stay healthy, keep my blood pressure normal (My dad’s side has a history of hypertension) and loose weight.”
- Lauren Ko, 31
- Eyeglasses Consultant
- AKI Los Angeles
Lauren was curious about Aikido, but she...
- Kai, 5
- Student
- Aikido Kenkyukai Los Angeles
Kai began Aikido when he was 4 years old at AKI Los Angeles. When we’re not permitted to have in-person classes, he attends Aikido classes on our Virtual Dojo via Zoom.
He says he was nervous and scared his first couple classes, but as he...
By: Diego Perrudin
Aikido has been one of the best learning experiences.
At first I was just looking for a sport to do because I had too much energy and my mom recommended martial arts. She looked up different martial arts and found that Aikido would be a great choice. We checked around us and we...
By Jessica Mendoza
“Aikido speaks to us both,” Andrew says. “For her it’s the spiritual side, for me it’s the physical side.”
Jordan Carlson first learned about aikido through acting. A theater major at the Miami University of Ohio, she recalls attending a...
“My aim is to concentrate for a while only on Aikido and find a deeper connection to it. I am sure that I will leave Suzuki Sensei’s future classes the same way I Ieft the last ones: sweating and smiling.”
- Name: Martin Weber
- Age: 28
- Position: Soto Deshi
- ...
Q: Why do you do Aikido
Jamie: “It’s good. I get sweaty. And I make new friends.”
- Jamie, 6
- Student
- AKI Los Angeles
Jamie, who began Aikido at age 5, has been training at Aikido Kenkyukai for a year and a half. She heard about Aikido through her...
“Aikido’s like a puzzle I’m trying to figure out. I find it fascinating. I forget about everything else on my mind for the duration of the class. Add the fact that it’s a great work out, by the end of class I feel pretty relaxed and refreshed, mentally and...
“Aikido makes me feel strong, good and helps me make new friends. I love my mommy for getting me into Aikido.”
- Kai, 6
- Student
Kai, who began Aikido at age 5, has been training with Chris Sensei for almost a year. Brought by his mom who heard about the...
“I did Aikido for a few months in High School…Once I started training I got the bug and always knew that if I ever got back into martial arts, Aikido would be the one.”
- Ellis Bahl, 28
- Film Director
- AKI Los Angeles
It took Ellis years of searching before he finally...
“I definitely owe a good chunk of my calm demeanor and confidence to Aikido…Aikido is like the yoga of martial arts and many consider it a form of movement meditation.”
- Chris Ziliotto, 18
- Student
- AKI Santa Barbara
Chris, who began at age 11, has been training with Suzuki...
“There’s a type of tranquility and presentness in Aikido that I haven’t experienced anywhere else. Every epiphany I get in Aikido comes from me surrendering a habit of excessive mental control and learning to trust my body and create a balanced connection.”
- Andy Dulman,...
