Aikido Insights for Authentic Growth and Inclusivity—with a Smile

Can you imagine a self-defense sport that focuses on harmony rather than confrontation?

I could not, as I have always steered clear of physical confrontation and combat, avoiding pain for both myself and others. However, the cost of avoidance often brings even greater pain. It limits growth, prevents authentic expression, and leaves unresolved tensions lingering beneath the surface.

"To reach harmony—one of my key values—be prepared to face conflict." was an insight, I got from the earlier personal growth training "Quality in the Spotlight" by Zin in Zijn , that was brought back to my mind.

To live a free and fulfilled life aligned with who I am, I needed to confront what I have been afraid of, both physically and mentally.

After try-outs of various martial sports, I settled for Aikido—a modern Japanese martial arts—that emphasizes harmony and inner peace, blending with an opponent's movements, and using their energy against them, rather than relying on brute force. I was drawn to its focus on personal growth through relaxation, self-confidence, and peaceful conflict resolution.

The term "Aikido" itself embodies this philosophy with three Japanese characters:

"ai": harmony or unifying, ki": spirit or energy, "do": way or path,

meaning "the way of harmonizing energy."

The school I chose is Aikidocentrum van Ginkel , which attracted me with the long and impressive experience of its founder and Aikido master (shihan) Ruud Van Ginkel .

Just six months in my training journey brought already transformative insights about authentic growth, education design, and inclusivity, in addition to the Aikido practice itself.

Lead by example: learning meets fun and genuine connection

One of the first positive surprises was meeting the Aikido master Ruud van Ginkel. He immediately struck me as a friendly and relaxed person, making me feel as if I had known him for years. His unique teaching style stands out—demonstrating moves with a big smile or a joke, and sometimes playfully showing what not to do. This approach creates a sense of warmth, curiosity, and confidence for me, rather than just mechanically following instructions.

As an educator who has experienced many trainers, I see the power of professionalism paired with humor and a relaxed attitude. This approach puts learners at ease, fostering trust and enabling deeper learning. Ruud's authentic presence goes even further—he leads by example, creating an environment where everyone feels free to be themselves and step up to help, often with a smile or a joke, while respecting the strict rituals and practice of Aikido.

Grow as a person and collective: a dual learning-teaching role

Aikido intrigued me because it is not about win-lose competitions; it is about practicing with partners to master the art, thus my only competitor is myself. During our lively trainings, practitioners switch between being learners and trainers based on who they are paired with.

This approach means that teaching is distributed, reducing the burden on a single person to convey all the knowledge and allowing everyone to progress at their own pace. I personally benefited from the dedication of experienced members, like Marc Riemens , who guided me step-by-step—with a critical eye and smile—through complex moves or taught me variations.

Imagine if our education system mirrored this model, where everyone—from teachers to students—could switch roles according to their interests, needs and skills. It could truly transform authentic growth for everyone involved, resolving lots of system challenges.

Feel welcome to be: diversity and inclusivity in action

My experience of belonging started with the try-out lesson, which unusually did not require me to sign-up but just to show up at a training of my convenience. I felt welcomed without any pre-checks, collection of personal data or whatsoever conditions. And I showed up.

On contrary to the traditional way of organizing trainings where age, skill level or another human aspect is fixed, this club is super-diverse. From age of 13 till 70+, across gender and background, level from beginners to 25+ years of experience, we are all united by the passion for learning Aikido together.

From the very first session, it felt like everyone was waiting for me—friendly, open, and eager to train together. Initially, I felt guilty that experienced members had to explain things to me instead of focusing on their practice, but they assured me with a smile that they were learning through me as well. I have never experienced such inclusive learning.

Their inclusivity extends to accepting that I have not yet adopted the traditional attire. I chose to focus on honing my skills this year and delay getting the proper clothing and gear. I discussed this with the master and explained it to the members, who kindly provided tips on finding affordable options. To me, this is authentic living in harmony with others.

Another powerful example is one member regularly holding the door open for us as we arrive, especially for those carrying large sports equipment. When I asked why he did it, he simply said he wanted to make things easier for others.

Have you ever done such a repetitive act of kindness without expecting anything in return?

In conclusion

The philosophy and practice of Aikido proved unique in holistic growth, combining exercises for body, mind, and soul. To my positive surprise, the Aikido center I joined has extended the individual benefits to the collective by bringing dedication, collaboration, and mutual support into every interaction—a true lesson of living inclusivity.

Deeply grateful to Ruud van Ginkel and every member of the Aikidocentrum for the authentic bond, help and fun social learning. Curious where this special growth journey leads us next...

Wherever we are, whatever we do and whoever we are with, we always have the choice to bring passion and empathy into our actions, fostering meaningful growth and prosperity for all.

What insights from a hobby, work or human interactions have you gained on the pathway to a world where We All Thrive?