My Encounter with Aikido and What I Learned Through Practice
2nd Dan Aikido Reflection
by DH Wong
The first time I heard the word Aikido was in the early 1990s, when I was studying at a Japanese language school in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. At the time, it was just a word that passed through my ears without leaving any impression. I still remember one day in class when my teacher, K sensei, spoke with great excitement. She said, “Mr. S has arrived in Japan today. I’m so happy that we will be able to practice Aikido together at the Hombu Dojo.” Her joy was clear, and even now I can recall the expression on her face. However, despite her enthusiasm, Aikido meant nothing to me then. I felt no interest, curiosity, or sense of connection.
Later, through movies, I learned who Mr. S was. At that time, he was a world-famous Hollywood action star, admired for his strong presence and physical ability. From those films, I learned that Aikido was different from other martial arts. It did not appear aggressive or violent, but focused more on movement, balance, and control. Even so, my understanding was very shallow. I did not try to learn more, and I never imagined that Aikido would one day become an important part of my life. Looking back now, I realize that I may already have been standing at the entrance to this path without knowing it.
About twenty years passed as I became busy with work, family, and daily responsibilities. My true encounter with Aikido came not by intention, but by chance. My daughter began practicing Taekwondo, and I often waited for her during her lessons. One day, while waiting, I looked into a nearby dojo. Inside, I saw practitioners wearing hakama, moving smoothly across the mat. There was no sense of competition or collision. Instead, they moved calmly, fell, stood up, and moved again in a continuous flow. Their movements were closely connected to breathing, and the atmosphere felt quiet yet powerful. Watching this scene left me with a deep impression that words could not express. Something inside me was awakened, and that feeling stayed with me.
Soon after, I decided to try Aikido myself, without any clear expectations. At first, I thought of it as an experiment. However, as I continued training, it gradually became part of my daily life and way of thinking. The early stage of practice was not easy. I remember repeating ikkyo many times and being told again to relax and not use strength. Although the instruction was simple, applying it was very difficult. My body was tense, my posture unstable, and I could not find proper balance.
During that time, the presence of senior practitioners became a great support. Through their calm and careful guidance, I slowly learned the importance of posture, breathing, and timing. I came to understand that power in Aikido does not come from force, but from coordination and softness. This realization changed how I approached training and influenced how I think about effort in daily life.
As I continued practicing, my understanding of Aikido deepened. I began to feel that Aikido is not about defeating an opponent but about resolving conflict while maintaining balance and respect. Techniques cannot be practiced safely or meaningfully without care and awareness. Training places great importance on ukemi, which requires trust between partners. Through Aikido, I have gained trustworthy training partners, which have become very important to me. Beyond learning techniques, I feel that these human connections are an essential part of Aikido.
I have also learned from the different teaching styles of various instructors. Some emphasize strong movement and spirit, while others focus on subtle connection and calmness. Through these differences, I realized that Aikido allows each practitioner to develop their own understanding within the art.
Even now, I do not believe that my understanding of Aikido is complete. In fact, the longer I practice, the more aware I become of how limited my understanding still is. Mind, technique, and body cannot be understood through thought alone; they are slowly embodied through continuous practice. Just when I feel I have understood something, Aikido presents me with a new challenge.
Finding something I can continue to practice over a long period has given me a deep sense of fulfillment. Aikido has taught me patience, humility, and respect for others and for myself. If my body and mind allow, I hope to continue training. What began as a chance encounter has become a lifelong path, and I am grateful for the opportunity to keep learning through Aikido.
