Hey Steve-

Hang in there man. Aikido is not an easy art to learn, and from what I understand, you may have some "bad habits" from an aikido perspective that may take you longer to break than if you started aikido off with a clean martial slate. As for myself, I started aikido without any martial background (unless you count high school wrestling, which I don't), although I sort of wish from time to time that I had a little background in a striking art.

My suggestion to you would be to practice your ukemi (rolling) intensely. That should be your number one perogative, IMO. Once your ukemi is up to par, you will have more opportunities to work with advanced students. Once you have these opportunites, pay attention! Watch and feel what is going on, taking ukemi can really help your own throwing techniques, I know I improved alot over last summer and it seems like I hardly ever through anybody!

I've been taking aikido in a Ki Society dojo for almost three years. I still find it very frustrating at times, but I think that is a good sign that there is so much to learn. Good luck Steve, and hang in there.

Joe

[This message has been edited by Joe Jutsu (edited 05-17-2004).]

I hate to disaree here but those"bad habits" that Aikido sees may be good habits in the real world. You have to adapt to what yu are doing, and if all you want to do is Aikido then the habits may be bad, but for real life training those bad habits can help. Aikido has one stance, "t" stance, other staces that you learn in Karate can really accentsome of your techniques. Locks done in "cat stance", "long stance" or "horse stance" can amplify the pain in certain locks also makes you stronger to counters. Aikido Irimi movement, leaves the thorasic area unprotected. A good strong Irimi movement on a trained kicker will result with a foot in your ribs. I suggest to keep your present art in tact, and apply the new knowledge with what you have.