Handicapped aikido(ist)? Can a handicapped person learn aikido?

Question

I have a little sister and she had a handicap, she can't walk too well and she's kind of slow. But she's not sitting in the wheelchair or else, just her balance isn't very good, she easily falls and often being clumsy.
Still, when she heard that I tried martial arts she said to me she want to try aikido.
I told her I'm not suggesting judo/karate because it seems too difficult for her her. Then I heard from my friend that aikido doesn't need heavy exercise like lap running, push up/sit up, squat jump or anything and it's pretty easy. Is it true?

Do you think my sister can do aikido training with her handicap? Is it possible for her?
As a sister I'm worried about her.

Please give me your opinion.

Answer 1

aikido is perfectly suited to adapt even to disabled people. I know of at least one teacher in Holland who is actually confined to a wheelchair and still manages to teach classes. One of the guys in our class only has use of one arm but still manages to do some amazing stuff

However balance issues do pose a problem. In any martial art balance is important but in aikido it is really key to what is going on. If she has balance issues this would make things a lot more difficult.

My advice would be to check what teachers are in your area and talk it over with them. no one on here can judge the matter without seeing the situation for himself

Answer 2

I think that a handicapped person can learn aikido myself. But she can look at other options such as online paint by number segmation which anyone can do. Why not both aikido and other things to keep her going? That is nice you are concerned about your little sister.

Answer 3

My attitude is you train and try, but you have to have a good instructor.



I know you said your sister's not in a wheelchair, but that wouldn't matter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrOanivzFmE



The instructor will make all the difference. Someone who is patient would be really good (There's a guy named Valentin at the Butokuden who teaches a children's class for the Orange Coast Aiki-kai who I feel would be perfect if you're in the Southern California area – the guy has infinite patience, and an incredible warmth about him).



Aikido is exhausting, and does have a lot of exercises. It's extremely demanding, especially with taking Ukemi. I believe that, if she falls easily, learning to take Ukemi will be very good for her for preventing injury.



I want to say this before I close: Let her try if it's what she wants. Life is short, brutal, and painful; and being denied those few joys in life on the grounds that someone else feels you can't do them is insufferable. We learn by trying, failing, and trying again. Eventually, maybe we get it right. Give her the opportunity and watch her shine. I say this because as a kid I was tall for my age, and told that while everyone else got to do tumbling in PE that I should just sit to the side because I'd never be able to. Now in training, I roll, cartwheel, and flip as readily as the other students. It just took practice.

Answer 4

It would require a very special instructor who's capable of translating the techniques to people with physical limitations. That said, I'm sure a modification is possible. There are a lot of wrist locks in Aikido, which don't require a lot of strength and coordination to lock in. I suspect, though, that several of the throws would be very difficult for her. But of all the martial arts out there, this would probably be one of the better ones for her to pick up. I hope you can find an instructor who can fit her needs.

Answer 5

Short answer: Yes.



Long answer: It is possible. But your sister and her future instructor will need to be realistic about the extent of training she can perform, and what sort of progress to expect. It will be a challenge, as both your sister and the instructor will need to find on their own how to modify "standard" aikido techniques and exercises to fit your sister's condition. And no, aikido is not "easy". Physical exercise is not the focus of aikido training, but it is still a huge part of it.



So, as others have pointed out, the best course of action would be to take your sister to visit nearby dojos, talk to instructors about the possibility of your sister signing up for classes, and see if your sister is actually interested enough to give it a try.



Also, I highly suggest you try and ask around on the forum section of Aikiweb.com (http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/ ); lots of senior practitioners and instructors there, who might also be able to direct you to more specific places near where you live.



Best of luck...

Answer 6

In Aikido, one trains a one can train, modifiying techniques to fit the individual and yes, she will learn how to move better, to improve her balance and she will have fun doing such.



Several persons at the dojo where I now train have handicaps, such as mobility issues to developmental issues and we all train together as a community, all learning from one another.



namaste