Expert: Arvin Sloane - 10/6/2008

Question
I am 42 years old male and have just started to practice aikido mainly for self defense and physical fitness.  I practice twice a week for about an hour and half each session. Although I have been practicing for a month I am still finding difficulty in performing forward and backward rolls and for remembering certain techniques about foot work and wrist locks. Is this normal or is it because I started training at an old age?  
Also I am trying to find cheap decent mats to practice at home. Can you suggest from where I can buy these type of mats at low prices that could also be deliver abroad in Europe? Should these mats be 20mm, 30mm or 40mm thick.
Thankyou

Answer
Hello Neville,

I have several separate things to say, so I numbered them.

1) The difficulty with forward and backward rolls is within normal expectations. I started Aikido when I was 22, and it took me over 3 months before I could feel that I could actually roll when thrown.

2) Aikido techniques seem complex at first. Confusion is normal at this point. In fact, the first rank test in Aikido is usually not much more than to ensure that the person can put a name to the general shape of the technique that can be recognized by the instructor. People usually spend around 6 months before they are expected to do the first rank test.

3) I cannot advise you on mats. I have no experience on purchasing mats, sorry. All I know is that different dojos have different mats... some softer, some harder.

4) I would advise toward spending more time in the dojo than practicing at home. At this stage you do not have the basics ingrained yet, and practicing at home may lead to developing incorrect habits.

5) You mentioned that you practice Aikido for self-defense. That was one of the reasons I started it also. However, you should keep in mind, that making Aikido technique useful in self-defense will take some extracirricular research. If you have previous experience in boxing or Judo, or just plain physical assault, you will likely be able to connect the stylized dots of Aikido technique and make something that will work for you in reality. But you will be doing that on your own time, as most dojos don't let you practice that way.