Adaptable, Not Fixed: Real Stability in Aikido

What makes an Aikido stance truly stable?

In this episode, I clarify a common misunderstanding that affects many practitioners: stability does not come from fixing your feet, lowering your stance, or holding your body in a particular position. In fact, over-fixating on foot placement often creates rigidity—and rigidity slows you down.

I explain why real stability comes from the center, not from the feet, and how adaptability is essential in Aikido posture. While there are specific training situations where a wider stance can be useful—such as certain power drills or moments within technique—that does not mean a wide stance should be your default Kamae.

Outside of those contexts, standing too wide can delay timing, reduce responsiveness, and tempt the arms to take over because the legs become slow or difficult to activate. From there, we explore one of the most important elements of readiness: soft knees and alive feet. Locked joints require an extra moment to unlock before movement can begin. Soft knees allow for subtle corrections and micro-adjustments—fractions of a second that make the difference between being late and being ready.

Good Aikido posture doesn’t feel braced or held. It feels immediately available for movement. This perspective applies whether you’re working on basics, training solo, or refining more advanced technique.

Listen closely, then try the Practice Prompt and notice what changes in your own training.