Aikido is not just a martial art, it is a lot more besides. Mostly I think it could be thought about as being a way of learning and understanding. We learn about ourselves about our bodies and our minds, and most importantly, about how the two can become unified when doing techniques. We learn about ourselves and who we are both inside and outside the dojo. We learn about how much difference posture makes to everything, including your attitude and your health. We learn about how important and useful it is to be able to keep one point, to stay focused without tension, to stay aware without anxiousness, to move effectively without straining. We learn how to relax, how to be comfortable on the inside and the outside, how to relax without becoming slack, how to become flexible without losing strength, how to become restful without becoming unaware. We learn about how to foster our positive minds, to become optimistic without being rash, how to become watchful without being narrow-minded, and how to become big in the world without crowding out others. For me, Aikido is always learning, always discovering, and that is why I keep coming back.

Kokikai is more than a martial art, it’s a mix of yoga-like stretching, self defense, exercise and community. Joining has helped me feel more positive and centred.