1. A Mind and Body Experience
Aikido is a martial art that relies totally on defensive body movements. Unlike other martial arts, no offensive moves are allowed in the sport. Aikido aims to align the chi, or center of the spiritual body, with the physical placement of your hands, feet and torso. The unification of the mind and body in Aikido produces fluid movements meant to align one with the universe and to teach a practical form of self-defense when needed. In addition, no competitive activities are associated with Aikido.
2. Focus on Personal Growth
Aikido stresses internal progress, not comparative progression. Your internal spiritual growth is as important as your ability to make all the moves properly. The ability to overcome personal demons and bad habits is one of the hallmarks of Aikido progression and earning belts. You must demonstrate an ability to be still in addition to defending your physical body to get a new belt. Aikido offers five levels of white belt before you are offered the opportunity to apply for a black belt.
3. Build a Long-Term Commitment
It can take as long as 7 years to reach the first level of black belt in Aikido. This sport demands a long-term commitment to personal growth and development. The first black belt is by no means an indication that you have achieved the master status. It means only that you have trained hard enough and long enough to understand the basic tenets of the martial arts philosophy. At this point, you will have demonstrated the ability to do all the basic self-defense moves and shown a commitment to continue training.
4. Train Hard From the Beginning
Prepare to wait for a black belt, and expect to receive little in the way of praise or compliments as you progress for the first few years in your Aikido training. Aikido is not a sport where you will receive much in the way of ego inflation. The opposite is true: The longer you train, the less sure of yourself you are. Aikido masters liken the experience to learning to read. They award a black belt to a student who has finally learned the alphabet.
5. The Master Doesn't Act Like It
The highest-ranking black belt in Aikido is the 10th degree. With this designation you can be called master and receive all the respect and honor due to that ranking. By the time you achieve this level of black belt, your humility exceeds your status and you will not even look for the admiration that comes your way.
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