The Issues
The challenges we are facing...
  • The steady decline of Aikido in the U.S.
  • The general perception of Aikido, driven especially online videos, blogs, posts, etc.
  • The difficulty in defining Aikido due to its wide range of approach, application, and practice.
  • The challenge of defining Aikido in one sentence.
  • The isolation inherent or traditionally ingrained in individuals, dojos and organizations.
  • The passing and aging of the significant senior instructors, teachers, and mentors. 
  • The natural watering down of Aikido as it moves farther from the original source.
  • The plethora of choices for spending discretionary income.
  • On both a national as well as international front, the advantage of a fuller representation for all parties.
  • Competition from MMA/BJJ? A possibility, but we've always had karate, judo, taekwondo and other martial arts as competition.
  • Competition from the fitness industry? It certainly is impacting and many Aikidoka do both.
  • The economy? Definitely a factor for many. People are possibly more cautious with discretionary income. Other factors may question that - restaurants, high-end grocery stores, and online food.
  • Time constraints? People are working longer hours. They and their children have more choices. PThey may simply need "down time" from their stressful day.
  • The current U.S. political atmosphere? The anger, divisiveness, uncertainty and decline of civility is something that Aikido training can certainly go a long way in counter balancing.
  • The lack of full and proper representation to I.A.F./Aikikai / Aikido Hombu Dojo. The full expanse of Aikido in the United States goes far beyond the one organization that has represented the United States all these years — as it still does to this day. An Alliance would be a truer, fuller, and more proper accounting for and representation of all.

How an umbrella alliance can help...

• Stronger and more creative together than separate.
• Provide a central forum to share our success stories and efforts.
• The creation of a national marketing campaign for Aikido. Determine the true interests of the market and what
Aikido has to offer to meet those needs.
• Develop a concentrated, comprehensive, agreed-upon branding/marketing campaign to define and promote the benefits of Aikido.
• Better sharing and connection to the international Aikido community and Hombu Dojo.

What is Aikido?
How to best describe and agree upon Aikido in just ONE sentence?


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