Purdue Students Talk About Aikido
Here you can find out what difference Aikido made in the lives of some present and former Purdue students. Come see, if it can make a difference for you, too.
Kelly G. Willis, Department of Chemistry.
Aikido has meant many things to me, such as the mulitude of bruises that I had from my upper arms all the way to my toes. However, Aikido have given me the ability to focus on goals, such as losing weight and becoming more social. Plus, it's a pretty good exercise.
Alex. Moskalenko, Graduate School, Department of Agronomy.
Aikido has definitely changed my life. There must be something in it because even if it sometimes seems to be one of the most frustrating hobbies I have ever had it's also one of few things that can drive me out of bed at 6:30 in the morning. I can be angry, upset, sick, but after I practice Aikido I loose my frustration (probably in the process of flying in the air upside down) and come out feeling great both physically and spiritually. It's also the best treat for my crumpy joints there is.
Benjamin C. Ryman, Purdue University, School of Health Sciences.
Aikido has played an important role in my life. As a student of a hard style martial art {Karate}, I have found Aikido refreshing in that it uses breathing and natural movements to make its techniques work. As a person with a small build, I like the fact that Aikido relies on balance, breathing and timing to make its techniques work, rather than mere size and strength. It also is a great teaching of humility, as I quickly found out by taking ukemi and making a friend for life with the mat. The personalities of the students in Aikido is quite diverse, but all of them are easy to get along with, and are very interested in learning about Aikido, which makes the class a very enjoyable experience.
Ryan M. Core, Purdue Alumnus, Consumer and Family Sciences.
I only just recently started down that long road of Aikido. I've been at Purdue for four years and have meant to get involved in a martial art but never found the time. Last semester I came to the conclusion that there would never be enough time, so I sent a petition to God requesting a 30 hour day. After I was denied, I joined the Aikido club anyway. Aikido has given me a lot to think about. It is not just attacking like many other martial arts. Rather it focuses on staying centered both physically and mentally, and defending yourself from assault, both physical and psychological. Your moves must be focused and pure, therefore your thoughts must be focused and pure. This has actually helped me in leading organization meetings, officer meetings, and general time management. Not to mention, I haven't fallen on the ice . . . (yet)
David E. Gardner, Graduate School, Department of Chemistry.
For me, I have never studied aikido for the purpose of learning how to fight and beat people up. My reasons have been the exact opposite, I want to learn how to avoid getting into conflicts and how to best protect myself should I happen to find myself in one. This is what got me in the door. The fact that I think it is alot of fun has kept me coming back. Someone might ask:"Aikdio looks pretty, but does it REALLY work?" My answer to that is: "It does for me. Since I have been studying aikido I haven't been in a fight yet!"
Andrew R. Sweeney, Purdue Alumnus, Computer Technology.
Aikido has, above all, made me more aware of the things we don't see on a regular basis. For example, over Winter Break, I found myself walking in a snow covered forest close to my parents' house. I realized I had never really taken the time to appreciate the silence of nature. Nor had I ever been more focused (There isn't a better word for this feeling, I tried). This is what Aikido has given me personally, is that focus that seems to make the world a bit saner in times of distress.
Jennifer C. Chubinski, Purdue Alumnus, Liberal Arts.
I chose to join the Aikido club on a wim, but have benifited in more ways then one. Aikido has given me an outlit for my daily frustrations (there is nothing quite like bringing down a person twice your size!). It has made me more aware of my physical and mental potential. Aikido is an art, and like painting a picture it takes practice, but each practice is different and beautiful in its own way. Aikido is a way of life, and my experience with the Purdue Aikido club will stick with me and inspire me for the rest of my life.
Matthew Lowry, Purdue University alumnus, Physics and Teaching.
I've studied other martial arts: karate, tae kwon do, and kung fu; but Aikido is the martial art that fits me best. Both the martial art of Aikido and the manner in which it is practiced have intrigued me since I began studying it almost four years ago. I really enjoy Aikido because it focuses almost entirely upon very basic movement, and it does so in every single encounter & technique, for without a solid base in basic technique Aikido will not work. The other thing that I enjoy about Aikido is that it really is a MARTIAL ART... it puts the martial in art and vice versa. This, to me, makes Aikido a very well-rounded study of both self-defense and self-discipline.
