Self-development, discipline, and focus are the top reasons new students say they came to Aikido. In this week's video I get into what those words actually require once you're a few years in.
I share a couple of stories from my own students, including why the students who say they want discipline most often have the worst attendance, and why focus is really about removing interference, not adding concentration.
▶️ Watch here:
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🌿 Your Practice Prompt
Pick one training partner you'd normally avoid, ideally because they intimidate you a little. Train with them this week and notice what discomfort actually feels like versus what you assumed it would feel like.
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Lia Suzuki
Author
• The Teacher
• Mastering The Shoto
Director: Aikido Kenkyukai International USA
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🗓 Upcoming Seminars
- September 14-27, 2026
🇩🇪 Germany "Be One" Tour 🇩🇪
Four Cities • One Approach to Aikido
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- September 14–15 — Heidelberg
PSV Heidelberg Aikido Dojo - September 16–20 — Bonn
Bewegung & Lebenskunst Dojo
Sept. 16–17: Yudansha Seminar
Sept. 18–20: Mixed Levels Seminar - September 22 — Düsseldorf
Aikido Shinboku e.V. - September 25–27 — Sehnde
Aiki Dojo Sehnde
- September 14–15 — Heidelberg
- October 2-4, 2026
Mountain West Aikido - Livingston
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Livingston, MT, USA - November 20-22, 2026
Aikido Kenkyukai Pennsylvania
Lia Suzuki Sensei
Fort Washington, PA, USA
Looking Ahead to 2027
I'm planning three small-group Aikido Training Tours for 2027:
🌸 March — Kumamoto, Japan
Aikido training during cherry blossom season
🇯🇵 May — Tokyo • Yokohama • Kamakura
Aikido training across several dojos
🇩🇪 🇳🇱 September — Germany + Netherlands
Aikido training across multiple cities
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