Hello!

In a few months I am going to attend a college in which they have an aikido class. I am considering joining up in order to get something different than my taekwondo background. I was just wondering if there are any things I should be aware of. Is aikido a good art for a young woman to practice? Do you think it's something I can sustain over the years/i.e. is it an affordable art? Gomen if this is a thread that y'all have had to deal with, but I couldn't find one over the first couple of pages.
Just wanted some advice from the aikidoka community.

If I had a dollar for every question like this... :rolleyes:

Go watch a class... see if you like it. Or try it... see if you like it. The rest of your questions is unimportant.

It's a good art for almost anyone IMAO!!

As Eyrie said, go look at the class. See what you think; take it from there. For what it is worth there are a lot of woman I know who study Aikido and they all have found it very rewarding.

Your question seems to underline your curiosity about Aikido. The only way to find out for sure is to go along to class and try it for yourself!

Good luck.

Thanks, guys. I guess it does get annoying to see this many threads on the same topic. When I have something real to discuss, I'll bring it!

Why bother studying the one martial art in the world that is even LESS practical taekwondo?

I believe the forum rules state that members are to refrain from art bashing. If you choose to denigrate your own art, that's your perogative... but to dismiss something you aren't familiar with and obviously don't understand is to assume someone else is equally ignorant.

I have 25 years experience in TKD--I think that makes me "familiar." And aikido practioners need to spend more time critically assessing their own art and not lashing out at anyone and everyone who points out the bloody obvious: it is a beautiful, graceful, but utter impractical martial art.

File -

I think what Eyrie meant was "stop being a d1ck." Your post was even "less practical" than what you feel aikido and TKD are. Did you recommend anything else or give any type of positive contribution? No.

You're welcome to your opinion, but it would be better to be more productive with your posts. You come across like an angry 13 year old on Sherdog.

It could have been worse. She could have said she was going to college to become a cop.

If you'd read any of my posts (and I've posted scores of them), you would know I have been quite "productive" in making suggestions. Trouble is, people would rather lie and say, "it's the artist, not the art."

But since you would like a positive contribution, here you go: if this young woman wants to pursue a self-defense art, she might want to try an art that at least attempts to teach self-defense. Jujistu, judo, boxing, MMA--all are good choices.