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🎥 WATCH: Why Your Aikido Doesn’t Feel Smooth Yet — And How to Fix It

by Lia Suzuki
Dec 23, 2025
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Many people assume stiff Aikido means they need better technique, more strength, or faster movement.

2 person attack (Ni-nin gake)

In this week’s video, I explain why that’s rarely the real issue — and where smooth Aikido actually breaks down.

If your practice feels choppy or disconnected, pay close attention to what happens between movements. That’s where flow lives.

Let’s check it out.


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🎥 WATCH: Why Your Aikido Still Feels Stiff (And How to Fix It)

2 person attack (Ni-nin gake)

🌿 Your Practice Prompt

During your next class…

  • Choose one technique
  • Keep uninterrupted awareness from the moment uke decides to attack
  • Stay present through all transitions — no resetting, no analyzing
  • Let awareness continue even as uke gets up

💬 What changed when you focused on transitions instead of end points?

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


  • January 9-11
    New Year's Seminar
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Los Angeles, California, USA
  • 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, Johansson, Lin, 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
  • July 20-21
    Marple Aikido
    Lia Suzuki Sensei
    Marple, Stockport, Cheshire, UK
  • July 15-19
    AKI USA Annual Summer Camp & 30th Anniversary Celebration
    Senseis Daiyu Takeda, Lia Suzuki, and others
    Los Angeles, California, USA
  • 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
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🎥 WATCH: Why Watching Is a Core Skill in Aikido Training
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🎥 WATCH: What “Calm” Really Means in Aikido Training
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Most people assume progress in Aikido comes from trying harder. Sometimes it does — but often, effort applied in the wrong place or in the wrong way actually slows you down. In this week’s video, I talk about why forcing technique can mask timing issues, dull sensitivity, and reduce the information your body needs to make better decisions. This isn’t about being passive — it’s about learning w...

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