aikido still popular?

**shokenman** · Posted On: 6/28/2012 5:42pm

I took aikido many years ago....Probably at a time when it was at its most popular. Anyways i haven't visited an aikido dojo in a long time.
I was wondering if the popularity has seriously declined ever since.... Does it still attract adults looking for exercise and self defense?

***battlefields*** · Posted On: 6/28/2012 6:54pm

This is a terrible question thread for several reasons:
1. It is too short. Seriously.
2. When was Aikido ever popular?
3. Was it really popular, or did you think it was because you did it, or because your instructor told you it was?
4. Your final question is as amusing as it is obsequious. Of course adults who take a martial art are looking for self defence and to get fit. It sounds like you are saying that Aikido teaches self defence and gives you fitness.
5. Your style field says BJJ. How long have you been doing BJJ?
6. If you are doing BJJ, why do you care about Aikido and random unknown people and their reasons for doing it?

**lordbd** · Posted On: 6/28/2012 7:22pm

I think Aikido is still popular, although I seem to remember a thread that showed some data suggesting that people in past decades used to do internet searches for aikido more, and now it has declined.

Anyway I'm too lazy to look for it. There's one aikido gym in my area out of the dozen or so martial arts gyms I've heard of.

**bobyclumsyninja** · Posted On: 6/28/2012 10:57pm

I haven't seen Aikido in Boston. Of course, it's not the safest place, so people might well be less likely to do something fuzzy and warm. Plus the skirtpants...too cold for that much of the year. If Aikido is popular here, it's underground. A sort of non-figjt club

**alex** · Posted On: 6/28/2012 11:01pm

i wouldnt often see the terms aikido and exercise put together, tbh.

***battlefields*** · Posted On: 6/28/2012 11:02pm

Originally Posted by bobyclumsyninja

I haven't seen Aikido in Boston. Of course, it's not the safest place, so people might well be less likely to do something fuzzy and warm. Plus the skirtpants...too cold for that much of the year. If Aikido is popular here, it's underground. A sort of non-figjt club

"You are all individual snowflakes".

**bobyclumsyninja** · Posted On: 6/29/2012 1:00am

As long as Segalilama ringside is the closest Aikido comes to being in top level mma...it will rightfully dwindle. One day it'll just be dancing in skirts, without the pretense of combat utilitarian application.

**Evilenzo** · Posted On: 6/29/2012 3:24am

Here in Italy is quite popular, especially in my region, Campania, which is the one with the highest number of Dojo (or the second, i'm not so sure).

Aikikai Italy is losing ground to other Federations, especially Corallini and Tissier Shihan's. These styles are a little less... well, let's say they sell themselves better (with organized training methologies and weapon usage).

**shokenman** · Posted On: 6/29/2012 10:25am

Originally Posted by battlefields

This is a terrible question thread for several reasons:

hmm ok to answer your questions.

1. It is too short. Seriously.

By popularity i guess i am referring to numbers of people in classes and people starting it up.

2. When was Aikido ever popular?

maybe i was mistaken....but i remember i took aikido after watching some steven seagal movies. I am quite certain i wasn't alone. I don't have the numbers, but a certain number admitted to hearing about aikido from the seagal movies. I would think that seagal would not be a reason for people joining up anymore.

3. Was it really popular, or did you think it was because you did it, or because your instructor told you it was?

I'm not totally sure, just a guess but i could be wrong.

4. Your final question is as amusing as it is obsequious. Of course adults who take a martial art are looking for self defence and to get fit. It sounds like you are saying that Aikido teaches self defence and gives you fitness.

Sure, i am not saying aikido is the only way to do it.
Actually what i meant to say is that i no longer feel aikido is path towards self defence or fitness. This is debateable, but just my view.

5. Your style field says BJJ. How long have you been doing BJJ?

Not very long, i am a newbie.

6. If you are doing BJJ, why do you care about Aikido and random unknown people and their reasons for doing it?

True i don't take aikido anymore but just curious hence my question.
I don't feel aikido is good for either exercise or fighting so..... i would expect interest in it to keep going down.