Why Trying to “Get It Right” Slows Your Aikido Progress

Why does trying to “get it right” often slow our progress in Aikido? In this episode, I explore how the desire for correctness can create tension in both the mind and body — and how real learning emerges through repetition, curiosity, and a willingness to make mistakes. We’ll look at why beginners often freeze when they try to perform perfectly, how movement should come before explanation, and how exploration builds adaptability and confidence over time. This applies not only to technique, but to how we train, how we observe, and how we respond to change in the dojo. Aikido development is rarely linear. Progress happens through small adjustments repeated again and again, not through a single “correct” performance. Practice Prompt: At your next class, notice when you hesitate because you’re trying to be correct. Move anyway. Allow the mistake. Let your teacher guide refinement afterward. Essential Links: Book — https://lia-suzuki.com/book  Newsletter — https://lia-suzuki.com/newsletter  Training — https://www.aki-usa.org