Responsibility is required with maintaining any practice. In aikidoThe word "Aikido" is made up of three japanese characters: ai - harmony, ki - spirit, mind, or universal energy, do - the way. Thus Aikido is "the way of harmony with universal energy.", it is necessary to ensure a safe, productive environment. Training under martial circumstances, we take ownership of our partner’s welfare—our actions dictate outcome. Thus, responsibility can be likened to its hyphenated homonym relative, response-ability. Their relation is that being truly responsible requires executing appropriate actions.

AikidoThe word "Aikido" is made up of three japanese characters: ai - harmony, ki - spirit, mind, or universal energy, do - the way. Thus Aikido is "the way of harmony with universal energy." has also provided me with an opportunity to learn responsibility more fully. Beyond the training, it’s about recognizing what needs to happen and what I can do to help. Taking care of tasks effectively makes everything run more easily. This concept seems so simple yet prior to joining the dojoPlace of the way; a place for strengthening and refinement body, mind and spirit; training hall I was lacking its application. Now every time I go I engage in many responsibilities, all of which help enrich me.

Practicing has undoubtedly made me more cognizant of my actions. When I first started training I would fall awkwardly during certain techniques due to thinking rather than reacting. My nervous system’s initial response to getting thrown was a stress-induced tensing of my body resulting in a very inefficient style of absorbing a fall. It occurred to me then that I had to practice with intent and be very conscientious of my partner. My uke"Receiver"; the person providing the attack and falling relies upon me to an extent in that I don’t make a regrettable mistake while performing a technique.

Responding to difficult situations is a daily reality. Our practice prepares us for exceedingly trying situations by pushing us to our brink. It’s our responsibility to respond ably, for ourselves and others.