Letting go

After practising Aikido for three and a half years, I quit in March due to other obligations. This was one of the most challenging choices I’ve had to make in my entire life. As I walked to the dojo to tell my sensei about my decision, my eyes were filled with tears, and I felt devastated.

Aikido has brought so much into my life. Apart from the benefits of physical exercise, Aikido has boosted my confidence and taught me valuable lessons about handling life situations. It is the most challenging martial art to learn because you must conquer your mind and resist the “fight or flight” instincts imprinted in your genes. It is all about taking a neutral point of view, even when attacked, and ensuring no one gets harmed through various non-violent defensive techniques.

The bitter experience of letting go of Aikido has taught me a valuable lesson. I’ve managed to get over the mourning period relatively quickly and focused on remembering all I’ve learned in classes and applying the knowledge in the real world. I still occasionally do warm-up exercises in the morning to get my bloodstream going and regularly meditate through breathing exercises to clear my mind and release stress at work.

Someday, I may or may not return to classes and pick up where I’ve left off, but perhaps the most important thing is that thanks to Aikido, I’ve become a better person, and I am very grateful for that.