Aikido as a science

Not so long ago the Sensei proposed the “newer” practitioner to write about the why of their desire of practicing Aikido. That’s an interesting question. Every time I bring it up in a new circle they ask me if I think I’d be able to defend myself with Aikido if I happen to need it. I never understood why they relate so closely together both things: Aikido-defense. If Aikido is well practiced (and if the opponent hasn’t a 9 mm) it’ll probably be useful for self defense. But why do people think I practice Aikido to learn who to defend myself? I practice Aikido because it’s good for my soul, because of self improvement in a concrete art, because of the micro cosmos Aikido is, because looking at a well performed technique is nice seeing… I understand there are people who want to learn Aikido (or any martial art) as a self defense system, but believing Aikido is just breaking some guy’s arm with a series of bends, or that practicing it will make fear disappear in scary moments seems to me like just a slice of what Aikido has to offer us. I think the idea of Aikido is never to need to use it as self defense. But this is just a personal believeth. Let it be…

Gravedigger