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🎥 WATCH: Why Aikido Progress Can’t Be Rushed

by Lia Suzuki
Mar 03, 2026
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Have you ever felt like you’re behind in your Aikido progress?

  • Behind others.
  • Behind where you “should” be.
  • Behind in rank or skill.

2 person attack (Ni-nin gake)

This week’s video is about something most practitioners don’t talk about:

Why Aikido can’t be rushed.

And why trying to force progress can actually slow you down.

I share:

  • Why plateaus are a milestone
  • Why collecting techniques isn’t real progress
  • Why deep understanding builds layer by layer

If you’ve been feeling stuck lately, this might be exactly what you need to hear.

Let’s check it out.


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🎥 WATCH: Aikido Progress: Why Plateaus Are a Good Sign

2 person attack (Ni-nin gake)

🌿 Your Practice Prompt

In your next few training sessions, choose one technique — perhaps Ikkyo, Shihonage, or Iriminage — and instead of trying to improve it, focus on:

  • Relaxing your shoulders
  • Softening your grip
  • Breathing naturally
  • Moving without rushing

Let your body filter what works.

Share your experience—I read every reply.

- -

Lia Suzuki
Author
   • The Teacher
   • Mastering The Shoto
Director: Aikido Kenkyukai International USA

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🗓 Upcoming Seminars


2026


  • March 6-8
    Orange County Aikido
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Orange, California, USA
  • March 20-21
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Kaosung, Taiwan
  • March 22
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Taipei, Taiwan
  • March 27-29
    Cherry Blossom Seminar in Kumamoto, Japan
    Senseis Sakabe, Lin, Takahashi, and Suzuki
    Kumamoto, Japan
  • May 28-31
    Aikido Kenkyukai Los Angeles
    Senseis Hiroshi Ikeda, Lia Suzuki, and Bruno Gonzalez
    Los Angeles, California, USA
  • June 13-14
    Aikido Wexford
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Wexford, Ireland
  • June 20-21
    Marple Aikido
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Marple, Stockport, Cheshire, UK

 

⭐ 30TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE

This year’s Summer Camp marks 30 years of Aikido Kenkyukai International USA.
Click to join the notification list and be first to receive registration details.

  • July 15-19
    AKI USA Annual Summer Camp & 30th Anniversary Celebration
    Lia Suzuki Sensei and others
    Los Angeles, California, USA
  • August 29-30
    Shanghai Xijiao Aikido Dojo 15th Anniversary Celebration
    Lia Suzuki Sensei & Others
    Shanghai, China
  • September TBD
    Bewegung & Lebenskunst Bonn
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    - - September 17-18: Yudansha Seminar
    - - September 19-21: Mixed Levels Seminar
    Bonn, Germany
  • September TBD
    PSV Heidelberg Aikido Sansuikai Dojo 
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Heidelberg, Germany
  • October 2-4
    Mountain West Aikido - Livingston
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Livingston, CO, USA
  • October 9-12
    Redlands Aikikai
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Redlands, CA, USA

2027


  • September
    Ima Juku Aikido
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Baarn, Netherlands
  • More Seminars added soon...

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