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🎥 WATCH: Why Aikido Plateaus Are a Sign of Progress

by Lia Suzuki
Sep 08, 2026
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I've watched hundreds of students hit the same wall at roughly the same point in their training. In this week's video I explain why a plateau isn't a lack of progress, it's progress you can't see yet.

I cover what separates the students who train through a plateau from the ones who quit, and specific things you can try in class this week if you feel stuck: from finding the partner you'd rather avoid to studying a sempai with a body type close to yours.

▶️ Watch here:

https://youtu.be/s0COySDJ9Bk

As always, thank you for training with me each week.

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🌿 Your Practice Prompt

Name the technique you avoid the most right now. This week, do it more, not less, and resist the urge to stop and discuss after every rep. Do ten reps in a row before you talk about what happened.

Share your experience—I read every reply.

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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
  • October 2-4, 2026
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    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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