Why I Chose Aikido — And Why I'm Finally Writing About It

Why Aikido#

I've been a fan of Japan for as long as I can remember — not just because of anime, but because of the culture itself. So it felt natural that my first martial arts class was Jiu-Jitsu.

During training, I'd often glance across the dojo to the other side of the room, where an Aikido class was underway. It looked different from what I was doing — softer, smoother, almost peaceful — and it caught my attention. Looking closer one day, I recognized the sensei: my old German teacher from school. Standing beside him, one of his students, was another teacher I recognized from school as well. It was a strange, funny coincidence — I already knew these two were into Japan, and I already thought they were great people. Finding out they practiced Aikido made me want to try it myself.

The week after, I joined a class. I don't remember for certain whether I brought my best friend Jonas along on that first session or the one after, but I do remember training alongside him from early on. I was hooked almost immediately. That was back in 2015.

What Aikido gave me wasn't really physical — it was a shift in how I think about approaching life. Alongside Aikido, I also train in Toho Iai, and together the two have changed how I carry myself, both on the mat and off it. I didn't really understand any of this when I started. It's only years later, looking back, that I can actually see how much it's shaped me.

Where I Am Now#

I'm currently 2nd Kyu, working toward 1st Kyu, with 1st Dan as my goal in around two years. Part of what makes that goal exciting is that it may be possible to test for 1st Dan in my hometown — which would make the milestone feel even more meaningful.

What's Next#

This is one of the first posts on this site, and I expect it to be the start of something longer. I'll be writing more about Aikido, alongside programming, AI, and my disc golf journey. If you have questions or just want to talk shop, feel free to reach out — you'll find my contact details on the About/Contact page.