There's a specific moment every Aikido student eventually hits: you stop trying to force the technique, and it works. In this week's video I dig into what "fighting" your partner actually means technically, and why it has nothing to do with being aggressive.
I cover why your nervous system reads resistance the same way it reads a handshake, why the technique should start with uke's intention instead of your own, and a practical way to train toward this: slow down and give the technique permission to fail.
▶️ Watch here:
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🌿 Your Practice Prompt
This week, pick one technique and deliberately let it fail at least twice before you try to make it work. Notice where in your body you were pushing versus where you were simply out of alignment. Tell your partner what you noticed afterward.
Share your experience—I read every reply.
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Lia Suzuki
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• Mastering The Shoto
Director: Aikido Kenkyukai International USA
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🗓 Upcoming Seminars
2026
- August 29-30
Shanghai Xijiao Aikido Dojo 15th Anniversary Celebration
Lia Suzuki Sensei & Others
Shanghai, China - September 4-6
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Lia Suzuki Sensei
San Diego, CA, USA
SEPTEMBER 14–27 — GERMANY
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Aiki Dojo Sehnde
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Livingston, MT, USA - November 6-8
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Redlands, CA, USA
2027
- September
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Lia Suzuki Sensei
Baarn, Netherlands - More Seminars added soon...
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