Almost everyone feels confused when they first start training Aikido. The movements feel unusual.The timing feels backwards.And many of the instincts we rely on in conflict—blocking or retreating—don’t seem to apply. But this confusion isn’t a problem. In fact, it’s part of the learning process. ...

One of the most common mistakes beginners make in Aikido is simply trying too hard. Not trying too hard to attend class. Not trying too hard to improve. But trying so hard in the technique itself that the body becomes tense and the partner gets overpowered. In this week’s video, I talk about a fe...

Many people watch Aikido and think it looks effortless. Then they step on the mat for the first time and suddenly it feels… almost impossible. Why does that happen? In this week’s training video, I explain one of the biggest reasons beginners struggle with Aikido—and why what you see in advanced ...