Letter to New Students

Welcome. We’re glad you’ve decided to join our practice and community.

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Aikido is a practice that works on the body, attention, and nervous system at the same time. Because of that, it’s common for new students to feel uncertain, awkward, or overwhelmed at first. That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong—it means you’re learning something unfamiliar.

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Early on, there are a few challenges almost everyone encounters.

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One is falling and rolling. Your instincts may want to stay upright, tense, or resist being off-balance. That’s normal. Ukemi isn’t about forcing yourself to fall—it’s about learning how to stay relaxed, breathe, and move safely when balance changes. We’ll introduce this gradually, and you’re encouraged to notice your breath and tension as much as the movement itself.

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Another challenge is physical contact. Aikido involves touching, holding, and being moved by others. For many people, this brings up vulnerability or self-consciousness. You don’t need to “get over it” immediately. With time, clear intention, and respectful partners, this becomes more comfortable and natural.

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You may also experience confusion or ambiguity. Techniques won’t always feel clear, and different partners will feel very different. This is part of the practice. Rather than trying to make everything work right away, we ask you to pay attention to a few basics: posture, distance, timing, breathing, and where your attention is. Understanding grows through repetition and observation.

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If you find yourself thinking, “I don’t know what I’m doing” or “I’m not very good at this,” know that nearly everyone thinks that at the beginning. Aikido is not about immediate competence. It’s about staying engaged long enough for your body and understanding to change.

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Your role as a student is to show up, practice sincerely, and take care of yourself and your partners. The teacher's role (and that of senior students) is to guide you, keep the practice safe, and help you make sense of what you’re experiencing.

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If something feels overwhelming, confusing, or physically uncomfortable in a way that doesn’t feel right, you can slow down, ask questions, or check in with the teacher. Training requires effort and perseverance, but it should not require pushing through panic or injury.

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Aikido reveals itself over time. If you stay patient and curious, what feels unfamiliar now will gradually become understandable—and often enjoyable.

 

Thank you for stepping onto the mat.

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