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.
  • The lack of fuller representation on both a national and international front.
  • Competition from MMA/BJJ? A possibility, but we've always had karate, judo, taekwondo and other martial arts as competition.
  • Competition from CrossFit and the fitness industry? It certainly is impacting in that we compete for the same demographics and the same time slots.
  • 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 and only organization that has represented the United States to the I.A.F. and Aikikai/Hombuall 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 the US Aikido Initiative community 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 and marketing campaign to define and promote the benefits of Aikido.
• Better sharing and connection to the international Aikido community and to Aikikai/Hombu Dojo.

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