Why train?

"My son has been doing Aikido here for about 2.5 years. We were drawn to the fact that a woman is the Sensei at the Dojo. Initially our motivation was to get a PE Waiver in school. Aikido is different from other martial arts, in that it encourages using the opponent's negative energy against them. This seems particularly resonant in times such as the ones we are living in. It is as much a practice of the body as it is practice of the mind. In fact, I would offer it is mind and body coming together. Before joining the Dojo, my son would question his physical abilities. A sign of his confidence in his ability is manifest in that he no longer questions his ability and in fact uses his Aikido training and approach in other aspects of his life. Seattle Aikikai, is not just a Dojo where one learns the practice of Aikido, but a community. We are grateful to have found it!"

"As a longtime Aikido practitioner and a newcomer to Seattle, I knew the best way to get a feel for the city (and make new friends) would be to join a dojo. ...Seattle Aikikai really stood out for its warm welcome, acceptance of students coming from different training backgrounds, and its study of Aikido as both a physical and spiritual practice. All of this is made possible by the people behind the dojo: Malory Sensei and the members of Seattle Aikikai. Malory Sensei has an incredible presence on the mat, and her teaching is instructive, inclusive, and supportive of all learning styles. Other students are equally enthusiastic and curious about all aspects of the art, and I'm happy to say that I did in fact make new friends."

"Aikido turns the fear of flying into the joy of flight. I came for the art, I stay for the community. In school, at work, in life, I have never experienced such a consistent core of dedication, friendliness, spirit, and daily joy."

“I started with Aikido because I had to have a physical activity instead of PE. The idea of peacefully resolving conflict interested me, but as I evolved, the concepts of attention to detail during class and having fun with your peers outside of class appealed more. No matter who you are, where you want to be, or what you want, Aikido has something to give to you.”

"I do aikido because I want to be martial but also compassionate."

“Given the chaos of the world today, I wanted a martial art striving for harmony with the world, others, and self."

"Think of the Aikidoka as being a matador. He gets out of the way so he can control the situation. We don’t box or grapple. Those are young man arts. I found an art that gave me the exercise I wanted and needed that didn’t stress my body – it didn’t move well. Over time I am able to still take a fall when needed. Now I do it because I have committed myself to it."

“I started aikido to learn more functional body mechanics. I’m a dancer, and many of the techniques I learned are focused on aesthetics – how the movement looks. My first class the teacher surprised me with how one simple action or body position could unbalance me or escape my grip. Over time, the practice has become a centering mantra for me, a metronome to my life. It is a place to energetically connect with other people, and also build personal connections and community. There are so few places we can connect physically and in collaboration and cooperation with others. This is a partnership."

"Martial arts practice helps you to focus on now, and the person in front of you. In today’s world this is needed more than ever but, most people don’t have a place to develop that skill."

"The immense complexities and degrees of freedom in two humans moving together is mind-boggling and fascinating. The notion of manipulating that interaction and being able to guide it and transform a violent encounter into a safe one is very alluring. The fact that you can change how someone moves by changing how they think and feel by changing how you are moving. We challenge ourselves and each other. Everyone helps and has something to offer. Coming to the dojo is always positive and never a put-down."

"I started in aikido because I wanted to study a physical art with a deep curriculum and community. I looked at other martial arts, but felt the learning community at Seattle Aikikai was more community-focused and supportive of personal connections and personal growth. I felt it was more about the whole person."

"I train aikido because it fills several voids that I think otherwise would be missing from my life: Tradition and ceremony, group cohesion, and a community of diverse individuals. It’s like a gym, but better. There is group encouragement, leveling up, it’s aerobic, and you get to fly through the air."

"Aikido is the only martial art I have practiced with a smile. The energy and community are always positive and encouraging. The focus on redirecting energy forces you to develop a relationship with your partner. It is a relationship which yields empathy and understanding. It allows you to view conflict as something to be resolved safely, as opposed to ended forcefully."

"I started Aikido because my sister was doing it, but I stayed because I fell in love with the art. Aikido has completely changed how I approach the world. I used to be a very abrasive and confrontational person, but in aikido, I learned about conflict resolution, peace, and trying to attain harmony. In Aikido, there’s no kicking or punching, it’s all working from an attack and redirecting the attacker’s momentum to end the situation. Aikido was developed for that kind of self-defense, without destroying your attacker, Aikido literally translates to the Art of Peace. Not only has Aikido changed how I live off the mat, when I enter my dojo, I enter a second home. I am safe and welcomed by family."

"Aikido is a unique martial art that focuses on our relationships with others and ourselves, with power, violence, and peace. I brought my kids to aikido to learn from others how to live well in the world, how to be responsible and disciplined, and cherish community. They found friends, support, and a ‘way’ that is their own path. We are grateful!!!"

"Our dojo provides an environment in which I can develop a unique and rich skillset, commit myself to a discipline, exercise my body and mind, and interact with people who share a common interest."

"Aikido is a martial art that resolves conflict through peaceful means rather than violence."

"Aikido lets you resolve conflict through compassion, by meeting a direct attack with compassion instead of violence, which is what the world needs right now. I hate competition and macho attitudes, but I like being martial, and am a pacifist. All those seem opposed, but are embodied in Aikido.

It does all the things that all the other activities I have tried cannot do together. It is martial, it is compassionate. It is active, it is meditative. It is decisive, it is open to all possibilities. It is exciting, and it is calming. I love being able to make a harmonious physical connection with other people in a way that is open to all kinds of martial possibilities."

"This is a great dojo. I've been training now for over 10 years and have been fortunate enough to visit a number of dojos in various cities (typically associated with business travel). Whenever I'm in Seattle, I always make it a point to stop by and visit Malory Sensei. I had to travel to Seattle regularly for work several years ago and Malory and her dojo basically adopted me when I was in town. I've really enjoyed every opportunity I've have to learn under Malory. She really emphasizes the connection between uke and nage in a way that speaks to where I am in my journey. She's also a great person on and off the mat. The students there are all welcoming and warm people. They practice without ego. They're focused, but know how to keep it light and fun. They're just a great group of people. [They] really foster a sense of community within the dojo. It all starts from Malory and the atmosphere she creates in the dojo."