Aikido no violence

22/04/2026

Zwischen Harmonie und Realität:
Ergebnisse der Umfrage zu Belästigung im Aikido

21/04/2026

Between Harmony and Reality – Findings on the survey according to Harassment in Aikido

Aikido traditionally stands for harmony and mutual respect. However, our survey conducted in February this year among 94 participants from 16 countries sheds a more nuanced light on the practice:
More than 50% of respondents stated that they had experienced harassment. The data reveals a clear pattern regarding the perpetrators: over 90% are male, and in over 60% of cases, they are individuals of higher rank. Over 70% of incidents occurred during seminars and almost 60% during training at the participants’ own dojos.
Descriptions of the harassment vary greatly. Whilst some victims report physical assault, such as being held in a stranglehold, others describe more subtle forms of abuse of power. For example, movement sequences were blocked to demonstrate one’s own superiority. Everyday comments were also raised, such as remarks about the body that were perceived as an expression of sexism.
What is particularly striking, however, is the uncertainty felt by many victims when it comes to categorising their experiences. This gives the impression that awareness-raising is necessary not only for potential perpetrators, but also for those affected. Several respondents stated that whilst they found the incident unpleasant, they would hesitate to describe it as ‘harassment’. They tended to describe the incident as ‘everyday sexism’ or felt unsure whether the behaviour was ‘bad enough’ to speak out about. This suggests that boundaries are often blurred and there is a lack of awareness of when discomfort has already crossed a line.
Another key issue is the reporting culture. Only 43% of incidents were officially reported. The data suggests that incidents were not reported because no consequences were expected. Often, it is a case of one person’s word against another’s. Dojo leaders invoke so-called ‘neutrality’, which can be interpreted as a protective mechanism for perpetrators. As a result, those affected withdraw from training or adjust their training times to avoid aggressors.
The survey reveals that structural gaps exist: there is a lack of clear points of contact and procedures. An awareness team is a first step, but it is ultimately only effective if cooperation with counselling centres is established, trained specialist staff are available, and there is a clear action plan for following up on reported cases.
For a healthy community, it is necessary to discuss these dynamics openly, refine definitions of harassment and build trust in reporting channels.

22/12/2025

https://www.wisewomen.org.uk/post/violence-against-women-why-we-must-change-the-narrative

Violence against women is a topic so complex that even those working in the field are still navigating it. But what exactly is violence against women, and why is it so important — and so different — from just “violence”?Violence, in general, is an act that causes physical, psychological, or ...

10/12/2025

09/12/2025

https://www.empirio.de/s/LXcW4tLbLh
please dont scroll away! 🙏 stay here and help! 🫶

09/12/2025

🫶let go (all tension)
🫶surrender (thinking into feeling)
🫶connect (hara)
🫶accept (the task)
🫶open (a space (to the conflict))
🫶listen (to the contact)
🫶deplace (yourself)
🫶follow (the energy)

🙏Marc Jacques Cohen & ziegler

05/12/2025

Expand and draw out - take balance.
Do not push and pull.

Harmonize and blend - connect.
Do not collide and force.

Take balance to redirect and lead.
Do not grab and strongly insist.

Surrender to allow - wait for it.
Do not force to make.

Immobilize and pin
Do not cause excess pain to submit.

Aikido involves a mindset
present in manifested technique.
These notions, present (or not) can be visually observed.

If we consider uke as a part of the whole, we may discover that our interaction is relational not transactional.
We emphasize a heartened depth, reciprocity and mutual benefit.
We draw distinction from the short term, singular benefit, a partial exchange that bears ‘no heart’.

Observe the differences.

G. Breeland, 6th dan