How much is too much?
I have recently started studying at Windsong Dojo and it is the firts martial art class I have taken. I signed up for both Aikido and Judo with the full intention of taking both of them at some point. I have only been to the Aikido classes and really enjoy this art. I have been thinking about starting Judo, but Aikido has been an explosion of thought on physics and biomechanics. I don't want to start Judo, get caught between trying to get the grasp of both arts and burn myself out. On the other hand, taking up both at the same time may give me a better understanding of both. Any advise would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Doug
Hey Doug,
The majority of the Judo players also study Aikido. The arts are very complimentary in the principles which drive the art. They are both off-balance arts, using the attacker's energy against them in order to facilitate a throw. So, doing one usually helps with the other.
I find that Aikido has helped my Judo get softer. Judo has helped my understanding of off-balance. Jyodo has developed a sense of detail that applies everywhere.
I'd say stick with both for a month and see how you feel. If you're still in overload after the initial shock of doing something totally new has worn off, then drop back to one. I tried doing both when I first started, and dropped Judo after a month or two only to pick it up a couple of years later. You have the rest of your life to study, so there's no need to be in a rush if it's too much.
I remember this being a big issue with some of the lower belts I knew, not because of technique issue but because of the "personality" differences of the two arts. Judo is a bit more "obvious" than Aikido... we know an O Soto has a lot of nuiance, but you can get teh basic idea pretty quick. Aikido takes a lot of finesse and nuiance, so it can be frustrating trying to learn both.