Most Extreme Martial Art vs Least Effective Martial Art

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Try Turkesterone (Stamina & Muscle Builder): (Code ROKAS for 5% OFF) blackforestsupplements.com?sca_ref=3001333.mJHpKA80hh

[@ynghuch]

Dude sorry to burst your bubble here but Turkesterone is a plant derived st3ro1d. Yes it’s legal and anyone can buy it but it’s still a st3ro1d. If you want to be a natural athlete stop taking it and don’t promote it man. Some young guys watch this channel.

[@ynghuch]

Seriously Rokas, you censored my comment? Disappointed is not the word. I can’t believe you’re taking that stuff and promoting it. I get that you may not have known what it is but now what’s your excuse? The clip you uploaded of a guy talking about it, he even mentions a well know st3ro!ds along side it.

[@fun.has.arrived3045]

try learning filipino martial arts.. ... you will be surprised like you attained a new level of understanding fighting.... aikido blends right in.. it's like u supplemented aikido techniques and vice versa .

[@MartialArtsJourney]

@@ynghuch Thank you for the feedback. I didn't cencor any comments. KZbin sometimes does that automatically. Sorry to hear that your comment got deleted

[@CUSELİSFAN]

I'm Turkish and my curiosity for Turkestrone is limitless 😂

[@nysurdatu5012]

I have the utmost respect for you and your journey . Your the only martial artist I’ve seen on KZbin who has truly questioned and tested their art and who has humbly graded himself and looked to be better. Other teachers of ALL disciplines should follow in your footsteps . Too many make unrealistic claims , selling false narratives, robbing their students of truthful combatives and self defense . You are a true teacher .

[@tappaires6615]

And that's also why I respect Rokas over almost anyone else (I guess maybe only Jesse?): He still works with aikido, while many especially in effective martial arts just throw it away (which, fair enough, is understandable). But having an open mind is not only keeping it on finding what's effective on the front and can be used easily, but also finding the use in the things that aren't easily applied and where the connections aren't as easy to make.

[@bjornf8518]

Hear, hear!

[@maxpower9432]

Amazing!

[@stanleyezidiegwu7187]

Bruce Lee esque

[@VenturaIT]

You don't know the definition of "martial art"... a martial art is the art of how to kill your enemy, it's not a sport. Judo/BJJ is a sport, Jujutsu is a martial art... big difference.

[@tylerheerdt6438]

It's cool seeing your relationship with Aikido go from, "this is my life", to being disillusioned with it, to coming full circle and redeeming all of those years spent in it. Truly a martial arts journey that inspired me. Thanks for your honesty and courage. It's been a blessing to the martial arts community.

[@squishypillow3162]

@@OneLoneMan you sound kinda weird

[@darkythecrazyninja5228]

Trigger Skull bash welcome back Omni Taikudo Sanchez wasn't middleweight in the vision Missing ingredient lamado

[@Lady_Graham]

@@darkythecrazyninja5228i love drugs 🎉

[@muggoganerva251]

Holy shit! This is basically witnessing history! Rokas is turning Aikido into a modern martial art. This is absolutely amazing

[@ShadowParalyzer]

I have accepted Roka's story initially and liked the story of someone so humble to admit that what he learned didn't work and moved on. However, I stumbled upon this video of Rokas doing Aikido - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aITZpI2Cmbh5gtE I'm not an Aikido practitioner, but... this looks extremely bad even by Aikido standards. I don't think he would be as good of a fighter as he is now had he learned "non-hippy" Aikido, but it's pretty disingenuous to say he was any good at Aikido to begin with. I'm not sure what kind of organization he joined, but... this looks like literal dancing. I'm aware that 'dancing' is a common insult in martial arts, but... I mean it very literally. There's literal music in the background, and he was doing some kind of solo... dance that I don't think Aikido has.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

@@ShadowParalyzer hahaha awesome

[@nickyshaw2592]

@@ShadowParalyzer This explains everything.....Many people own cars but not everyone can drive.

[@HesteBremse]

​@@ShadowParalyzer There is a lot of his Aikido, not even watching the linked video and I can tell he did not as so many others did not really learn the full body dynamics or rather relations in traditional Aikido. The main Aikido foundation of the world Aikikai was turning into "stupidity" many years ago and they completely went away from the basic forms to focus entierely on fluid forms that ended up becoming a complete misunderstanding of the martial art and its applicance. Instead of power being spawned from your very center, outwards from the hips, they end up dancing aorund the center of the techiques - to most people it looks like the same but it is really not at all the same. Strikes are not unknown in traditional aikido, it is in fact used in many techniques, since otherwise you would be hit by the opponent. There are also opening with strikes, to force your oppenent to block and therby offering you the arm or otherwise take the blow. In this video and when he takes down a fellow Aikido ka in one the scenes, his arms are soft, and it means he can not transfer the weight of his body onto that arm - anybody with an instinct can dodge it easily, on the other hand dodging it when over half the body weight is directed straight at the elblow point, with the addiotnal option of twisting your hips on top and the arm breaks. The Aikikai mentally focused on fluidity, peace and beauty neclecting the martial aspects of the options to break wrists, joints, elbows, neck and back and for the last two atttempting to kill the other person. They also went away from training with weapons, which otherwise brings a lot of power to the breath and leaning to use the Kia like in Karate and other martial arts and weapons in Aikido teaching the Mai or the right distance to the opponents. (not all clubs have skippoed the weapons but they do not undertsand this apsect either) As one renonwed Aikido Sensei once said - what they do in Hombo Dojo (the main seat of Aikikai) its not even dancing, it is worse than dancing. Sadly they have become the largest Aikido federation in the world teaching people some rather shitty Aikido that completely forgoes the notion that if you want the world to be at peace you must first master the art of war. In Europe at large the Hombo dojo style furthermore became intelectualized while tyring to understand the japanese ways while completely missing the point. Some years ago I joined a club to train, and had to instruct a not new Aikidoka in using his hips to sucesfully do the 2nd base technique in Aikido, absolutely nobody had tought him that hihgly essential part of the body dynamics in Aikido. Then I asked about weapons training and the lead teacher said that we (the new arrivals should proplery wait a bit, both wearing a black belt) I went early one day to watch and Ohhmy fucking lord, I have never so bad malpractice of using a freakin staff, you would injure yourself that way. I have a lot of respect for this guy in the video, I saw his initial vids a long time ago and had the exact same impression as descriobed above. He was wise in learning from other more direct martial arts and sports, becasue some people just have more martial instincts than others and with bad teachers, you will not really learn anything. Naturally he was also a part of fucking up the notions of Aikido in general (unknowingly) but at least he has somewhat come out on the other side and that is good for him. If you are doing it wrong It does not matter how long you train. Some people meditate for 15 years only to realize that they did not get it, and essentially they have to de learn and start a new.

[@ShadowParalyzer]

@@HesteBremse I heard Aikikai is pretty bad as far as Aikido is concerned. Like many martial art styles, the most popular kind is often one of the worst kinds. I think Yoshinkan Aikido would be one of the good ones - from Gozo Shioda. But, there's also just Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu - I hear Hisa Takuma's branch is a good one.

[@RideAfterMidnight]

I have so much respect for you man. You didn't just give up on aikido, you tried to make it work. Most traditional martial arts don't get pressure tested and don't adapt to modern fighting. Many traditional martial artists swear by their art regardless of the results and on the other end, there are people who will only say it's bullshit. You're one of the only people who went ahead and actually tried to prove that aikido isn't the bullshit that everybody claims it is. You not only tested your martial art, but you also learnt from other styles and adapted your own. You are a true martial artist.

[@Par-Crom]

I know one Master called Leo Tamaki. He really is a wise and enjoyable man. His form of Aikido teaching is aimed at self survival and ending the opponent the quickest way possible, it's like he gave back the "martial" in the art ; you guys really should read or watch what he does online. He's French speaking but I bet you can find content translated to English...

[@cycy8699]

The hardest path is the middle one

[@oisinoc]

@@cycy8699 The hardest part is having so much hubris that you continue to try to functionalise something that is fundamentally not functional.

[@darkythecrazyninja5228]

Wrestler Yalla no lights 🕯️🕯️ Laugh Trigger Skull bash welcome back Omni Taikudo Sanchez wasn't middleweight in the vision Proverbs idiom shoulder 😘 Remind; of Sense i Mom (clean room cuz I'm bored) How important bond, families are Unity Feel Safe, fort compy Like a Prince OPP thirsty hello stranger thought I was going to have kids with 🪨 Hercules Mascot scarf mate AU Tired of this 😴 Moodww endearing 🕯️ I don't like being bitten Whooaaa Favourite language in the Game Unalive entail red Rawr Solomon Incredible mcdo sythe La, na da Cinematic mode Grats smoked Jwels Hot solomon Mom punch Bolt motive Vanilla killer Code's Stranger (Sighs) I'm gonna make you drink your own blood. CSA 87730-4179228 Index, boday Xavier knight Aura Dragon Gossip swimming gernere Others at Church I'm a street warrior Dad scared all the time Impulse spray Nathaniel brother Azn Devastation Cuft Club flying up there with the love birds? South African haka 👑 k Calvin 🔥 sword and 🤝 Kalemantce sqeeze🍋 Popcorn 🍓 D is to lead & project protec Khamsa rage orchestrate Jablinski Loyal content table What Legends do see paikarun don't laugh I'm strong 🥥 Alex Dante familiarise disc Spear head Count thorough Grabs comprehension han shifu Tribal nimrod Kat Shoulder taps Yalla Hug lionel pat's Vante stabby signature The News Resemblence Cebu coin's apprehensive Gi rage Stand rope's displayers ribs hp Hope sensei brawl" kick Gracie kiddo "Double step sweep, Catchwt dailys historia tapalez Relax 🐰fold News Wat Legend do legend thorough nights ears Secular jessery survival Adam harmless reload extraordinary down for the count Zechary zeal mod Haram Project library circular Make it happen channel, bqq him kick fazem drac ula Dad~SAs Bear grylls Acapella Slushy shine hulk oh wah!" Sarcasm Signature Skeptical Relative no good Marine corps it called line Common outcome point's Disable disorient Destroy Hot in here new gesture blurry gesture Rose rose quartz ring w Wing's volcon wreck machine Mirror Precinct responsive town Vendetta bqq papercut boy Wing's Halo Lamado, Jerwin 🍓 🍨 Spike ring, ⌚ Eyes pale ninja blunt scimitar Jamai kevin got Tribal Thins snac Hitman 🐍 bites tug Fiji storm cruce Elbow🛡️ Fadeor malicious menace Tokyo furious, iron Camo aircraft along with Roundhouse of mischief Dutch striking Jap Dirty Boxing Mine's

[@Erime]

Magical. After all these years - from the first awkard MMA fight, to the superhero break in between, and now this - nobody would've been able to predict it. Thanks for the content. Owning your journey 🤜🤛

[@thesun564]

The superhero arc was so funny and weird. I only caught a little bit of it. But it seems like he deleted those videos and I can’t find them anywhere. Do you know anywhere I can find it.

[@ryan201087martin]

I must have stopped watching his videos around this point. I vaguely remember a custom made jacket or something

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Haha! Thanks guys! I have my weird sides, but I'm also very earnest in what I do 😊 I think I needed to something weird in between to come back to the martial arts journey and to learn to appreciate and embrace it for what it is. Now it's 100% all about owning that journey! PS: Most of the superhero videos are still up there for people to learn from my mistakes 😅 I took off only a couple of them

[@Erime]

@@MartialArtsJourney yeah man, it's very inspirational. Because I do need to get a new jacket 🤔. No, I mean to just keep on keepin on - no matter what. That's what separates a master from an amateur - the master just kept going when the amateur stopped. All the truth is out there waiting, we've just gotta keep in digging.

[@slax4884]

@@MartialArtsJourney the eccentricity of the superhero arc was lovely and I am glad you kept them up. So impressed with your journey and development. Can't believe it had been nearly 5 years since that first fight you had with the mma guy. So impressed with your videos your understanding and tbh you've revitalised a lot of the classic arts with your honest approach about things. Also big congrats Rokas I didn't know you were married :) gives me hope of finding someone too. I had been a carer all this time.

[@susanohara4274]

He has proven once again that cross-training against other martial arts, full contact sparring and dealing with a resisting opponent is absolutely essential for combat effectiveness! Most traditional Aikido lack these! In his old age, O'sensei became a recluse and a mystic. He made Aikido into a "spiritual" art with the focus on Ki, meditation and practiced the techniques as an art form. He was a great fighter in his younger age.

[@darrenstettner5381]

What evidence do you have that he was ever a great fighter? Unsubstantiated lore? Aikido is more of a dance cult than a martial art.

[@38Tugay]

because the longer you practice a martial art, the more you become detached from the actual purpose from which it emerged.

[@ironwolfgaming9632]

@@darrenstettner5381 I don't know about O's skills as a fighter but I learned in the early 80's and it was not what it has become now. I used a similar wrist twist and foot sweep to zip tie a teen who swung at me. It has the basics but remember it was mostly meant to deal with a sword. In the light of course you would punch a guy you were taking a sword from.

[@thomasgrable1746]

This is the kind of active sparring needed to make aikido actually work. You've my respect, sir.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thank you

[@arnulfomanuel6340]

Aikido really will be less effective against people who has knowledge in other fields of martial arts aikido when mixed with other arts like karate will be good

[@WuchtaArt]

i think aikido would greatly benefit from having legit sparring in training

[@MatheusEdOG]

that cant be serious, this isnt even light sparring

[@arnulfomanuel6340]

There is no sparring in sikido just a demonstration. it is combined with other form of martial arts and is potentially deadly if you get caught with it !!

[@XXNerdzillaXX]

If I'm not mistaken, the founder of aikido said that it was intended to be an add-on to an existing structure (karate, Muay Thai, etc) not a standalone system. It's really cool to see you go through the process of pressure testing what you learned and see how it can be applied with resisting opponents. Keep going, don't give up. Be humble in victory and thankful in defeat.

[@samuraitadpole5459]

I didn't know that but I'm definitely going to use that to my advantage

[@kaibasan1]

He also held black belts in various arts such as karate and JJJ but became a pacifist and thought that karate techniques were too violent. His beginning students also held black belts in jujutsu.

[@samuraitadpole5459]

@@kaibasan1 art does imitate life

[@Valscorn01]

Originally Morihei Ueshiba only taught Kano’s (founder of judo) high rank students. However the founder of judo was actually super impressed with his art.

[@arrowindkid]

Rokas, I am not sure why but I felt so sincerely proud looking at this video. Your journey had been inspiring!

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thank you!

[@BlackPrimeMinister]

@@MartialArtsJourney Very good, Rokas. I knew you would come back to Aikido. It's only Nishio's weapons-driven style I fully respect.

[@michaelrainbow4203]

I'm not a martial artist, so I appreciate the beauty of traditional "ineffective" martial arts. But I have tremendous respect for what you are accomplishing here. It is an exercise in humility to go over your weaknesses and vulnerabilities with a magnifying glass. Humility is fertile ground for greatness. Respect.

[@Whosyourdaddy21]

So I’m a martial artist (not a very experienced one) but from I have gathered from better martial artists is it’s not that they are “ineffective” necessarily. It’s more like you trying to have someone learn astrophysics before they learn how to add first.

[@DarthRane113]

​@@Whosyourdaddy21 nah it's not even that, it's the fact that ineffective martial arts are taught in a vacuum. No live resistance ever, some of them you cant even question the instructor or you can't ask TOO many questions. So they only ever get theory. Drilling is absolutely important but if you only ever drill and never spar then you can't determine what actually works, what does t, and what just needs to be adjusted Very rarely do I ever get a submission in sparring the same way as I do in drilling. It's not pretty or elegant like ineffective arts try to make them and the reality is fighting isn't pretty or elegant.

[@darrenstettner5381]

Well said.

[@michaelrainbow4203]

@@darrenstettner5381 Thank you.

[@michaelrainbow4203]

@@OneLoneMan That's why I used quotation marks for "ineffective." I'm not saying the traditional martial arts are ineffective. People in the MMA crowd commonly call these traditional arts "ineffective." Since I'm not a martial artist, I wouldn't know. Regardless, I deeply appreciate the beauty and discipline of the traditional martial arts. I hope this clarifies what I meant. Peace.

[@smashonlamez]

damn man hats off to you. I've been watching your journey for a while now, and seeing you finally going fully circle and applying aikido techniques in effective way, is something inspiring. I think I can say that I, and we as a youtube community, (even though we are complete strangers and have never met) are really proud of you. I look forward to seeing your continued growth. Stay safe, peace.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thanks man! I really appreciate that!

[@nr1NPC]

@@MartialArtsJourney Lets face it my friend, Aikido does NOT work against an opponent who fights back. Its literally proven. You can find videos of Karate, Judo, MMA, MT, TKD even capoeira (just a few techniques in capoeira) where it wins against another person, whether it is against another martial artist or a street fighter. But there is not a SINGLE video of an Aikido fighter winning against a street fighter / in a street fight or against a martial artist. If it worked, you wouldn't have to try to do this 😂 It IS bullshido. But all love to you man, I admire your persistence and your bravery to at least try it. That is more than 99,99999% of all aikido practitioners are willing to do. And that you post in online too

[@danielmanzano9818]

@@nr1NPC the truth is aikido alone is useless but aikido paired with kick boxing and jujitsu is very effective. I think there's a shoot wrestler who incorporate aikido technique in a bout and he wins many times using wrist control and takedown I can't remember the name though

[@nr1NPC]

@@danielmanzano9818 So it is useless, because you have to pair it with other martial arts. If you have to seek another martial art to apply a martial art you trained for thousands of hours, then its garbage. Then its not functional

[@danielmanzano9818]

@@nr1NPC it's not useless because you use the efficient technique. Base on your logic your saying Muay Thai , karate and other striking martial arts are useless because you can't learn ground technique in this kind of art. That's why we have MMA . Remember in order to fight efficient you have to use efficient technique wether it's from karate , judo , kickboxing or bff. Being a complete fighter is better than a one way style fighter.

[@jakedones2099]

I really like this instructor. He is not saying "Aikido not good! Bad!" But he is offering specific critiques and particular ways to improve it. It demonstrates his mastery of his own art and willingness to pay attention to his student. A sign of a great instructor

[@kevinlobos5519]

I couldn't help but shout in celebration qs you pulled off the aikido techniques, I hope you know that you are an inspiration for all martial artists. Keep at it, I can see a bright future where you will be the badass old guy who did manage to make aikido actually functional and can put people in aikido locks and takedowns.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thanks man :)

[@DubiousDubs]

I love what you're doing- too many once usable martial arts have had their teachings bastardized into ineffectiveness, and I love seeing the process of restoring it

[@snichelsticks8653]

the two that come to my mind are aikido and traditional karate. both used to be effective but now are essentially ceremonial

[@AnGhaeilge]

Love Kudo. It's admirable to see you try to improve Aikido. Have you considered getting on contact with Roy Dean? He's an aikido black belt, but also holds black belts in BJJ and Judo. He uses his aikido often when sparring both standing and on the ground. I've seen him hit lots of wristlocks rolling in BJJ videos. Seems like it might be a good option to explore "functional aikido".

[@kylefee4822]

There is a video of them talking on this channel

[@MartialArtsJourney]

I'm considering to make a trip to US next year to visit various spots and people that teach functional Aikido. Roy Dean could be one of those people!

[@AnGhaeilge]

@@kylefee4822 Oh! I must have seen it and forgotten. Goldfish brain sometimes :) Look forward to seeing a video if you two meet up Rokas!

[@BacatauMania]

@@MartialArtsJourney if you have the money and the time please do it I'd love to see kwonkicker visit Brazil and learn capoeira, but you're the only who does this kind of thing

[@Storylosopher]

@@MartialArtsJourney Highly recommend you check out Seidokan Aikido. It's recognized branch of Aikido which focuses on tighter movements and pressure testing. Of all the Aikido styles I've trained in, it's been the best! 🤩 In many of your recent videos when you make changes to the Aikido techniques to make them more effective, I think, "Well, that's how we always do it in Seidokan..." 😅

[@snpz06]

Damn, I am an aikido practicioner here in the Philippines and it's really nice to see you reviving the effectiveness and actual use of aikido techniques when pressure tested. Your journey just makes me wow.

[@whitewhale3912]

When pressure tested aikido in itself is useless... its the movements by themselves are ineffective

[@finhas8865]

I've trained for some years in aikido.I know it's effective. Just not the way people usually imagine. The most important things in Aikido is not the throws, the locks or the joint manipulations. It's the redirections and the entering.

[@SPOOHoops]

Aikido (or any other art) is ineffective if the practitioner only focus mastering the Form of the technique and not the principles behind it. If you live the principles behind Aikido's technique, you can win any war. There are strikes, effective attacks and defense in real fight behind Aikido's form, only you have to unearth it.

[@LionAstrology]

Your patience and endurance, in your Akido journey is legendary. The martial Gods often pick unsuspecting rokus for their qualities that often seem to be hidden to the common student for greater purposes than what's expected.

[@SmootholdGuy]

Dude, the fact that you went on this journey to find a better way to apply your Aikido is admirable. Looking for ways to adapt what you know to make it more effective. Tons of respect for that. Look to other styles and masters to help point out, improve, and perfect your techniques, which will ultimately become a bigger expression of your personal style. KEEP IT UP!

[@darrenstettner5381]

You’re doing really great stuff Rokas. I still think aikido is useless for fighting but I think it’s great you are pressure testing different techniques and seeing what can be done. I think you have commendable integrity and curiosity and think you are helping the entire martial arts community through your content.

[@RobertNewall]

I think it could be a really good transition tool to engage in more controlled less wrestling style ju-jitsu but idk cos I’ve never done ikido

[@chrisortiz8077]

It's clearly not useless for fighting, we see that in this video alone. The issue with aikido is that it isn't pressure tested very often. But clearly it can work, since we just saw him make it work...

[@darrenstettner5381]

@@chrisortiz8077 can work ≠ practical or optimal. Some Aikido principles can work on some occasions. Overall, it’s still a very low percentage technique base.

[@chrisortiz8077]

@darrenstettner5381 can work isn't the same as useless though. Honestly I thought the same thing you did until maybe 12 hours ago lol. But then I realized that I've only ever seen ONE person consistently pressure test the art, and when he did, he got some decent results. Imagine if aikido was constantly pressure tested, if sparring was an integral part of every class, I imagine those low percentage moves would start becoming mid to even high percentage moves. The reason aikido moves rarely work is because the person you're seeing trying to utilize them, has NEVER sparred, they don't know what resistance feels like. Same thing would happen if you trained bjj but never sparred, or judo, or basically anything like that. What you would see is what we initially saw with rokas, we'd see people just going for techniques with ZERO set up, ZERO understanding of how the person is going to react. The way rokas was going for his moves is EXACTLY the way someone who knows the techniques but has never sparred goes for moves. They just think "I'm going to try this move now" without any kind of set up, they try to force the move instead of allowing it to happen. But the moment he felt some resistance, he realized he couldn't just go for the technique and expect it to work, he IMMEDIATELY adapted and realized "Oh to make this work I have to distract him a bit, make him think I'm going for the leg, then I can go for the wrist throw when he's not paying attention." And it worked.

[@andrebauto]

My favourite part of practicing martial arts is when the technique clicks and we start understanding it and applying it in a whole new level. I'm genuinely happy to see you go through this! Wonderful and very satisfying video!

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thank you!

[@zealouswarden7439]

This is fascinating to watch Rokas, modernizing Aikido is a challenge, I came from a year of karate to an aikido class and realized after a few months it wasn't very practical in it's current configuration. Love to see you taking it to the next level, we may be witnessing the birth of a new martial system!

[@visisloth]

You're becoming even more creative and open-minded. Martial arts are such a personal journey, and we need to be challenged and learn to adapt. It's nice to see your continuous testing instead of outright dismissal of something you previously felt to be ineffective. I enjoy seeing your evolution. Keep up the hard work!

[@RicRags]

Wow! This is the first time I've seen these movement work in a pressure tested situation. You really did something here! All the best to you and the great people you trained with!

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thank you!

[@drachimera]

Also, the technique where you go under the armpit, that works if you have a knife. Change the range, add hits to someplace, add a weapon…. I bet you can use a bunch more of your techniques if you change the context

[@caiobruno8006]

You're straight up carrying Aikido into the ring right now, this is insane I've been watching you ever since your first fight against that one MMA fighter and it's been a crazy journey

[@stonsamu]

Ive been watching a lot of your stuff but this is the video that made me subscribe. Watching you give up on aikido, learning things, and coming back to it and adapting what you have practiced for so long is truly inspiring! It sends a very strong "Dont give up" message.

[@alecboss8646]

Your journey is one of the most inspirational and introspective experiences I have come across. I’m so happy and honored to get share your journey and love how I can apply the lessons you’ve learned into my own life. Thank you and never stop haha

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thank you!

[@CombatSelfDefense]

One thing I’ll say, your skill as a figure has increased DRAMATICALLY since you started doing MMA, so your ability to apply any technique makes sense. That being said, credit where it’s due, these aikido techniques LOOK effective. At some point these moves must have been practiced and utilized in a real way, but somewhere down the line the training methods got ridiculous. So good to see it coming full circle

[@syciuplyte8494]

1000000000% agree with u

[@katokianimation]

I'm using bjj as my basline Why a good technic dosen't work for you 1. If the practitioner dosen't have basic skills like reflexes timing, proper movement, no way they will ever perform a drilled technics live, even if it is the most simple highest %. 2. Technic by itself dosen't happen. You need to set it up. 3. The meta of combat sports always changing. In the 90s bjj ruled. Bc everybody was one dimensional and ignorant of submissions and reversals from the bottom. Nowadays if you try to do a Royce Gracie you will make a fool of yourself. Now we have high level takedown artists who know how to beat the crap out of you in your guard before you do any sub or sweep. Probably at the time when grappling wasn't even considered figting just boxing and kungfu, when judo and wresstling weren't state founded, and bjj didn't blew up, then probably aikido technics had better succes rate.

[@valjean3141]

No offense to the guy in the video, but… the original aikido founder from back in the day? He was an MMA guy. And so was the guy *he* learned from, back in the early decades of the twentieth century. The fact that some contemporary aikido people don’t know what they’re doing, or what the history of their own martial art is, has very little to do with what the actual history of that martial art was. MMA all the way… but in the original, battlefield- and duel-tested sense.

[@nunninkav]

Some of the throws can be very dangerous, as for the joint locks. Aikido is the best way to practice the theory of the techniques without breaking anyone's neck or giving the a spiral fracture. As they become more combative, the circles get tighter, more force is used, the strikes become real and you are no longer practicing with Aikido, you're doing Aikijujutsu

[@theparaminuteman]

They come directly from Judo, Aikido is just Judi that was designed to be the least harmful to the person being thrown…… hence why it’s ineffective

[@chrislaalo3965]

I am so thrilled every time one of your videos comes up. I remember watching your first videos years ago. Your journey is what spiritual martial arts is really all about - and how practical martial arts are made. Moreover, you are a working example to anyone who has hit a dead end and wanted to give up in frustration over their lost time. Your hard work and dedication was real, and you are finding ways to apply and expand that knowledge into practical applications. This is something really awesome. They way you naturally switched into another takedown mid-way when the first wasn't working was really cool. If you spent 10 years training on "Aikido Mastery" in a vacuum, I can't wait to see what your "Aikido Mastery" will look like after 10 years of practical application. Looking forward to some collaboration videos in the future, too.

[@travisfischer7514]

Just found your channel. You are by far the most humble and honest Martial Artist I've come across. You aren't stuck in an ideology, but are truly hungry to learn. Great job, and I look forward to seeing where you go.

[@albionpewpew]

This is the true spirit of martial art! Loved seeing you guys sit down and talk about what happened during the fight. Keep going, you will make history

[@shanethackeray1988]

Great video and I’m impressed that you open yourself up to scrutiny over the style you trained in for years. “ All styles are valid” and it becomes a critical analysis of flaws that you learn in any style. My journey has always been in Karate ( 45 ) years and there are many flaws in the traditional syllabus that “ most “ Organisations teach whether it be the Sensei or the focus on certain techniques a style teaches. If you actually dig deep into the Shotokan Style ( Okinawa ) version verses ( Japanese sports ) the difference is huge and the focus is not even similar. The Okinawa original style ( Gichin Funakoshi ) is actually an MMA of the older times incorporating much of the known techniques used in takedowns, grappling, arm bars, wrist locks as well as the punching and kicking that “ Karate “ is known for. Like most of the ( Modern Styles ) of Traditional Martial Arts they have been “ watered down “ to comply with rules ,competition and legal ramifications. Kudo looks like a suitable compromise for modern purpose and practical application. Once again great video.

[@jacksfacts20]

Glad you didn’t give up on this, hard to have something you loved and did for so long not seemingly work, but you found a way!

[@Aleyander]

Maybe German Ju-Jutsu would be also interesting for you. It is also basically MMA with a Gi, with roots in grappling arts.

[@user-nj2ty2th4s]

To be humble enough to realize setbacks on one's practises and then to embark upon a journey to improve it and ultimately modernize it in a practical way that is well adapted to real combat isn't something every martial artist is able to do. Your philosophy and your approach on martial arts is really admirable. I can't wait to see what's gonna blossom from your learning and journey. You're truly one a kind as a Martial Artist. Do your Best!

[@manjitheerratic5127]

I love this video ( maybe the best ever ) and I love the journey you have been going all those years. You finally make Aikido functional . You are a contributor for Aikido and World Martial Art evolution. Brilliant Rokas !!!

[@drachimera]

Probably the best video you have ever made! I love it that you got some insight into your art and are now getting it to work. You will probably change the world with this!

[@dinninfreeman2014]

I'm really glad you decided to start reintegrating some modified Aikido techniques with success. It's exciting to watch and gives me some more hope for my own process of integrating Wing Chun into real fighting

[@StarKnightZ]

You should check out Qilala, he's a wingchun practitioner who uses distinctly wing chun techniques in fights.

[@GamingPerks]

It is my personal belief that this is what martial arts is at its core. Consistently and relentlessly finding ways to further your art. Amazing work! Looking forward to more.

[@Spongy_Udderz]

I feel like you can enhance your exploration with Aikido by using some psychological tricks to coax your opponent into moving forward, i.e. creating even more distance/giving space so, in their mind, they have to take it. Another would be using a technique that the opponent knows, or at least has an idea on, so they try to imitate it. A good example of this would be a karate-style blitz from a longer range then angling off to create space and then somehow encouraging the opponent to do the same, then trying a technique as they charge towards you. (side note: If I recall correctly, Ramsey Dewey had something similar happen during his last fight as a professional fighter where his opponent threw a roundhouse to his body, prompting Ramsey to do the same. His kick then got caught and was used to sweep him and punish him severely.)

[@jossbsure]

Nice to see so much honesty in the telling of your journey. It gets down to this: how the techniques are shown in Aïkido is "kata-like", more pure form than street smart. But even there, analyze how momentum is on Uke when you do your pure technique, it shows how you should be setting up your opponent to move in this same momentum. Ueshiba sensei made an artform from fighting techniques, your journey is like retracing the steps.

[@kingofgufi]

im so happy you finally reached this point of your journey! i followed your channel even before the spar with the mma guy who transformed your life because i loved your instructional for the rolling. I loved your story and how you decided to change your approach, in the first stage of your evolution you was enraged with aikido in general and had to leave anything of the previous you back, but is a normal and human thing that have to happen in case like this; but even in that moment i knew that a guy like you one day can rediscover balance and return whole with the new improvement and the good things that your old self had! i really wish you best! 👍 p.s kudo is amazing!

[@KinseiSensei]

Beautiful to see you coming full circle back to your origins 🙏🏼 A true Martial Arts Journey

[@donoberloh]

Atemi waza was always the initial response, applied along with tai-sabaki when attacked. It is the primary focus, flowing into a throw, or other Aiki Waza. O-Sensei discontinued teaching this element of Takeda’s Sensei’s Aikijujutsu after the war, and especially into his Octogenarian years. Unfortunately, many westerners had only experienced the softer Aikido during this time frame. Over the last 6-7 decades Aiki-Budo, has devolved into overly cooperative training that makes it impossible to develop a combat oriented muscle memory.

[@mangajad]

You know the answer!🔥

[@johnkaimana]

thank you for going on this journey. i've held the belief for a while now that real time sparring is the key, no matter what marial art you are doing. loved the analogy of swimming on land. you are showing us the truth to martial arts practice. i hope many martial artists see what you are doing and are able to apply it to their practice. now speaking to anyone who reads this please don't feel like you wasted your time on a matial art. all our journeys are different. all our reasons are different. we must be honest with ourselves and honest in our practice. thank you again for showing us the way

[@makenjikarate]

Awesome video, glad to see you showing more Kudo, it's a great art and deserves more promotion, and trying your Aikido against it is a very interesting concept but it's amazing you adapted it for Kudo style sparring

[@maximusspartan7409]

Damn. I'm so glad I subd. Your honesty is amazing. It's not often that martial artists or fighters put themselves in positions of vulnerability with their ego...huge respect.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thank you 🙏

[@adolfojp]

Great video. It made me emotional to see you evolve on your journey. Great suff.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thanks! I really appreciate hearing that 🙏

[@gerbilking5100]

AWESOME VIDEO ROKAS! Been following you since your aikido days, even when you were questioning the effectiveness of it. Those of us in the comments sections gave you our thoughts, and we encouraged you to go out and find and train with other styles. You have improved so much man! What an inspiration!

[@johnnyd5537]

Paul Cale, a former Australian Special Forces Sergeant, was the first Aussie to receive a black belt in Kudo and holds eight black belts in martial arts including three aikido styles. His combativws system is currently in use by the Australian Army and if you follow his content, you will see how he effectively implements aikido. He also choked out a Taliban commander and iirc he's got a knife kill or two as well.

[@alLEDP]

This. Please like his comment so Rosa's will see it and do a Collab with that guy. I want to see Rosa's get beat up by an Aussie with some weird Aikido shit lol

[@justin8865]

Why does that sound like a bullshiter

[@patrickrichard5948]

Source?

[@johnnyd5537]

@@patrickrichard5948 Vice made a video about him. Just search up 'Paul Cale' on your socials and google and you'll see.

[@johnnyd5537]

@@Mr850man He's a funny bloke. He put the vice reporter to sleep with a triangle choke for shits and gigs. Smacked the shit out of another one while teaching him stuff.

[@asdf8asdf8asdf8asdf]

Reborn from the ashes of his destruction into a new synthesis!!! These are the best videos ever -making use of everything he’s learned

[@jeffmaesar]

Love your approach of learning fight and cross training, cant wait to see your self defense collaboration in Australia.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thanks! I'm looking forward for it too!

[@DanishnSonic]

This was beautiful,I never practiced aikido but I love the art. For you to discover and possibly reform it, is something hopeful for me.

[@mohammed-faraz]

Great work, great progress! Kudos to you Rokas (pun totally intended). I like how you're finding practicality in certain Aikido techniques! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼

[@marceloefaria]

Its been a delight following your journey since the start, Rokas. As an aikido and jiu-jitsu guy, I hope to train with you when you visit Brazil.

[@LunaticReason]

Maybe its not so much the aikido techniques not working but the system itself. Now that you are sparring with non cooperative opponents you have the change to pressure test and figure out why something doesnt work and how to improve it. Having people from other systems input should help a great deal.

[@LunaticReason]

A question that should be pondered is how do you deal with conflict, or how do you circuvent someone elses will when someone is stronger/faster than you? And how can you know how to use that if you've never experienced real conflict? Yourtechnique worked because you adapted to his force/resistance. Whether its striking or grappling its never the first two moves that gets through because most people know how to defend. Rather its after combination and setup that such things work. You dont approach the battlefield directly but indirectly. The more you experience what that actually feels like the better your gonna be at performing them. I think that is one of the biggest sins of Aikido because the training doesn't replicate that experience of failure, adaptation and awareness you need in a real fight. It completely dismisses and under estimates an opponents ability to defend. So that is also something you need to consider how will your opponent defend against your attacks? What can you do about that? Also are you defending yourself? How is he gonna try to bypass?

[@MartialArtsJourney]

The way a system is taught definitely makes up most of the effectiveness

[@LunaticReason]

@@MartialArtsJourney but its not isnt that why you stepped away from it? I would say what what is considered high level for Aikido is intermediate for other martial arts. because it doesn't reach that same level of non cooperative sparring or simulation of a fight. I find that it is one dimensional in terms of grappling and not considering range and defense against your opponent striking or takedowns. Secondly it's two person drills builds a false sense of self confidence when executing a move and doesn't prepare you for failure or force you to adapt. What is advanced about is maybe the techniques and self cultivation. That you may spend years and years perfecting how something is performed but that is about it. So now that you've journeyed outside the system you can learn and finally find what was missing and needed for the system rather than leaving it incomplete. Something to consider is that Morihei Ueshiba was already trained in other martial arts and experienced actual warfare so he brought that into his art and knew what worked and what didnt but now we have people without experience diluting it. I think those deeper aspects and understanding of combat was left out of the system and what is being taught is only the surface level. I think perhaps Aikido was never really meant for the layman.

[@ghostlightning]

I lost it when I saw the kaiten nage turn into ikkyo. Man. I don't know if I've ever commented before, but I've followed your journey from the start. I'm turning 46 and I trained in Aikido back in the 90s. I remember getting my ass kicked in sparring vs my friend who was a Taekwondo instructor, but I still maintained a fantasy of Aikido being functional until becoming a more ardent MMA fan. Your early videos cemented it, because it felt authentic, courageous, and from a kind place. I watched almost all of your videos and appreciated the beginnings of the Aikido comeback (against all my expectations). And then today happened. That moment... I can't imagine how you must have felt! The kotegaeshi probably was more satisfying because you learned it and you made it work as designed but that almost accident... kaiten/kimura that stalled... then into ikkyo... magic. I feel silly for being so happy. By the time you reach O-Sensei's age you would have paved the way for many others to find their own functional Aikido in a quarter of the time it took you to find yours.

[@RealVergilSparda]

I normaly use aikido (in a unique way my teacher taught that actually works) without only grabbing and generaly taking advantage of positioning to skip the first part of most aikido techniques, iriminage is by far my most used technique that lets me get into grappling (that you do really bad or my teacher just teaches differently) and sometimes kokyuoho that i mainly use to set up close elbows and hooks looking at your techniques makes me realise how different aikido i learned

[@sum2857]

yes I noticed it too , my teacher teaches us to do it more in front of us, kind of twisting the neck so the opponent falls down almost at my feet, while he was taught to sort of push away the opponent straight onto their back

[@alexmarques2398]

Very humble approach. Every martial art can be made at least a bit more practical with this approach. Multidisciplinary exchange, feedback... Lovely 🙂

[@jvergara84]

Great journey. I humbly believe Aikido is not designed for fighting, but actually developed to understand phylosophical principles, bring people together and maybe stay active. I transitioned from aikido to judo to bjj. Enjoyed every martial art that i practiced but bjj has proved more complete to me, at least.

[@voidremoved]

You make a good point, aikido was not intended for fighting... It was supposed to be to avoid fighting?? I have not studied it, but looked in to it. Really it is just supposed to be self defense with no real offense. So while I haven't practiced it, it is a good style. I believe it could be one of the best martial arts but when people learn and teach it... It is silly. Same with all martial arts. Seems to me, people can study a martial art and think they are tough... But its like the intro to this video about swimming. They just have sets of motions memorized. Good if they want to go line dancing, but useless if they want to brawl with some cowboys in the parking lot afterwards

[@MrCmon113]

That's a really stupid excuse people make AFTER having to admit that it doesn't work. That's a really poor mindset to have: To never allow yourself to admit to being wrong and always wiggling yourself out. The claims aikido makes are simply wrong.

[@withershadow3904]

Aikido is for close quarter locks and throws centered around a sword. That’s why the “opponent” would ever grab your wrists.

[@VVrayth]

@@MrCmon113 "omg, someone has a different opinion. They must be dishonest, because I am always right."

[@MrCmon113]

@@VVrayth There is plenty of people, who honestly believe that Aikido works. They have a different opinion. They are not dishonest. The ones who claim that Aikido was never about fighting in the first place are extremely dishonest.

[@dustinwalker8152]

Humility is one of the most beautiful things there are, thank you for having it!

[@davidcastillo4487]

Watching your videos and seeing the terms they use plus explanations. I'd say aikido seems to be made for martial artists who already understand the different phases of combat. I think the concepts of aikido are more important than the actual techniques. It gives a clear sense of how to use the techniques you already have rather than learning the techniques themselves. It looks like trying to learn martial arts in reverse if someone starts with this martial art. Just my opinion as a non aikido practioner. Nice video 👌

[@mastermichaeldunchok]

You're right, and this is exactly what Takeda Sokaku said about his Aiki-jujutsu, that it was meant for people who already had jujutsu black belts. Jigoro Kano agreed with him.

[@piguy5645]

loving this. Way better than throwing traditional knowledge gained from times when it was used in a practical way, is to bring it back to life, like you are doing.

[@khtheblack]

Very cool video and I am a huge fan of Kudo/Daido Juku. A very versatile style with good practical application. I am a fan of the idea that there is probably something useful in all the styles and arts, though some are more effective of course. Good to see you not discard your background in Aikido, but instead now with a wider perspective learing how to put it to better use. I had a similar journey as you, going from karate and taekwondo and spending 10 years trying to find out what is the best martial arts training jiu jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, muay thai etc. After all those years I believe great insight on strenghts/weaknesses of different styles is important and a realistic view. All martial arts have good ideas, philosophy and something useful. :)

[@CalicoArchives]

Man, this is so cool how you are exploring the world and advancing Akido in ways that make so much sense and can be effective in modern MMA.

[@d20Fitness]

Holy crap you did the impossible. Like, yeah it's a first step situation but it's a step none of the other aikido guys have done. Also, i'm excited to learn about kudo. Considering sparring some point fighters. They have a very aggressive method and will blitz in for strikes with full commitment that seems like it might help aikido be more effective

[@bradg1660]

I have to say that I am very impressed with the fact that you were able to look at the flaws that come in your martial art and overcome them. Most people would just give up or not admit to the flaws in their sport but you overcame them. This is a sign of perseverance and intelligence. All the best to you sir

[@shannonmcstormy5021]

I'm a great grandmother. However, when I was a teenager, I got my black belt in (essentially Sports Karate). However, then I found a Japanese hardcore Shotokan Sensei who practiced full contact fighting, sparing as part of it. During this time, I also studied two other martial arts: Aikido and Kali. I also did a little American boxing. These adjunctive martial arts took my karate sparing to the next level, especially Aikido. Aikido helped me understand fighting in a new way, multiple ways. And my friends and I used to spare very hard complete with broken noses a couple of times. I was feeling pretty potent, especially as a young woman. To be clear, I had zero ground game and a BJJ White belt would have tied me into knots. lol. Keep up the work ! 🙂 P.s. My opinion is that Aikido is only effective for a few very talented people and only if they mastered a hard style first. Morihei Ueshiba had years of hard style training before he "discovered" Aikido. Plus, I think he was a remarkable individual. I think that in my lifetime, we will see MMA fighters start to demonstrate Aikido techniques, sprinkled into their other fighting, as the sport continues to grow and advance in complexity and sophistication. However, your journey is fascinating to me. I embarked upon a similar journey when I was in my early 20's and going to college. I'm sure if I had been aware of BJJ, I would have loved it, but alas my journey was primarily striking and kicking. Tons of fun though, and isn't that one of the goals? ;-) .

[@bucwolf]

it is the first time i watch any of your videos. i have nothing but respect for your journey of self improving and your passion for knowledge ultimately. win or lose, you are deffinetly an honorable martial artist

[@MicahCTheory]

Hey man, you’re doing great work with this channel. I wish you could create a template for how people who study traditional martial arts can also pressure test theirs and make it functional. I’m convinced all these arts started in a historical context where they were used for real, and so their principles definitely work. But as you’ve often said their current training methodology makes them less useful now. They need a shot in the arm.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

That's a good idea!

[@Erime]

I've trained with traditional Chinese martial arts teachers in China who have all had injuries from pressure testing - but not sustained by practicing their own lineage. It was from sanda and Chinese wrestling - mostly back injuries. Traditionally there's always been that overlap, with something like sanda and wrestling as core. Many traditional martial arts families start their kids off with basic Shaolin longfist, and if they show suitable character, then they are encouraged to explore sanda and wrestling. East or West, it seems this is pretty standard 👍.

[@shahreyllkhairoullah8314]

Love this. I subscribed back in 2016 cuz I did Aikido in college for about 2 years, and liked the step by step explanation to execute the "signature slam". Seeing Rokas opening his eyes to how Aikido didn't work against MMA made me chuckle, cuz I've always told friends that the only applicable parts from Aikido are the basics. But seeing how he moved on from it and is now making a style that he can confidently practice, I really think that is what it means to be someone practicing martial arts. Cuz to me, someone learning martial arts is different to someone learning how to fight. Side note, prior to learning Aikido, I was learning Silat all the way from elementary to high school. So I was very familiar with striking martial arts and how Aikido might not exactly work with those types of fighters. But hey, I did Aikido because I love learning techniques. Doesn't matter if it's only good for party tricks and performances.

[@gingercore69]

This is amazing! Cant wait to see what else you manage to do with all this This might help you, my instructor taught me to use easier grips tonget better grips... So... Basically, you do an armdrag, a wakigatame, a hikite, an ude gatame, kote gatame or any other "whole arm 2 on 1 grip thatvis close to the body" and if you are struggling to aply it, just change the grip into a wristlock and do the throw... Its a billion times faster than trying to grab the wrist... Another one is, if you can parry or karateblock a strike, you can catch it mid air... Just parry it into your other hand...so, just slap it intonyour other hand and thenclose the grip to your body, it will give you a 2 on 1on the striking hand...ive done it even with my boxing osrtners so, it works for sure... Let me know if it works for you too 💪

[@Kurbante]

Looks like Adesanya isn't the only Stylebender ! Excellent work and development!

[@Alexei-im6dq]

Amazing video, I really enjoyed watching it a lot! For your next video can you do a Judo series again but with Shintaro Higashi in NYC? Since Judo & Aikido look so similar, I would love to see how they differ and what's a Judoka's thoughts are on the art.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Visiting Shintaro in the States is definitely on my list!

[@billniu619]

This is the best aikido video I've seen so far. That is the correct attitude a martial artist should have when testing their skills.

[@Generic549]

I was at a shodokan aikido seminar recently here in the UK and we got taught an irimi-nage that included all the same details that Vilius mentions, like pulling the head towards the weak line. I don't say this to be like "AiKiDo aCtuAlLy WoRkS uR jUsT BaD", but I wonder if in a lot of schools without sparring, the general shapes of the techniques can be passed on but subtle details, like what gets mentioned here, get lost.

[@dasi1002]

We have also learned this detail to the irimi-nage ( in Hungary).

[@ynghuch]

The guy who invented aikido had trained in multiple styles so he was an experienced fighter. Also, aikido seems more about how to misdirect a sword wielder, not a fighter.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Great point!

[@The_Content_Pirate]

I cannot believe how dedicated you are. I have so much respect for you and I wish you the very best in using aikido in martial arts.

[@BacatauMania]

This was one of your most interesting videos! Also congrats on the sponsorship Will you keep practicing kudo?

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Unfortunately there's no Kudo in my town but I'm considering to train it more often once I'll get a chance

[@BacatauMania]

@@MartialArtsJourney that already means something! Thanks for replying

[@reginaldwelkin]

I'm glad you're finding that Aikido has some benefits. I remember when you were saying it was completely useless and was hoping you'd realize it has its place in the pantheon of Mars. Anyways, I personally see it working best, not one on one, but when you're in a group fight with lots of movement, weapons, and charging opponents. This type of chaotic forward movement seems to be most vulnerable to Aikido type defenses. I personally have never formally trained in any throwing art, but have been most successful throwing people when they were running in or even jumping in to attack. Certain weapon arts also utilize broad swings and forward pressure that works perfectly to be weak toward a throwing art. Grapplers rarely use major high pressure. Boxers and kickers are generally trained to keep distance or counter incoming grabs. I think Aikido, as you're trying to utilize it, is like trying to beat Scissors with Paper.

[@belalabusultan5911]

ah yes, after training in BJJ, MMA, and Boxing, you managed to perform a heavilly modified version of an Aikido technique.... with your kind of training, you could make a ballet move work in fighting, not because ballet is an effective martial art, but because YOU are an effective martial artist.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

😁 It's still an interesting exploration of reverse-engineering Aikido

[@belalabusultan5911]

@@MartialArtsJourney sorry, my comment came too agressive, I tried to say it nicer... sorry again.

[@philosopher2king]

Very humble approach to your journey, brother! I practiced Aikido diligently for a little over a year and moved on to MMA, in the mid-90s. While aikido is an old fighting paradigm, it is not without its benefits. I regularly sparred with a BJJ black Belt who had been an Aikido black belt and he caught people in wrist locks all the time. We also agreed on how Aikido just teaches you flow into movements without effort, which tends to be an advanced skill in BJJ, which happens generally around purple belt.

[@jiokl7g9t6]

Problem ISN'T Aikido; the problem is the CRAP training you received and passed on. If you didn't master the foundational ki skills of aikido then you never learnt aikido. It's like saying you learnt taekwondo but never learnt how to kick properly.

[@--___--d]

I really enjoy the level of respect you show, and the softness and control. The instinct will says to do anything to get the opponent down, but you have a mission, its very visible.

[@DigitalBelta]

I really appreciate your humility and honesty in this video. Good luck on your journey!

[@hesedagape6122]

You got me interested in KZbin and I am glad it wasn't a waste. Glad my understanding that the techniques works for fighters is now proven. I knew it from my experience but glad you are now satisfied

[@L96A1Terminator]

Im so proud of your personal journey, Rokas. Im sure that this means even more you personally than aikido as a whole.

[@ALLNighT817]

Wow, talk about mindset! My man, you have a great journey in martail arts. It’s like watching practical wisdom and philosophy manifest. This video made me realize something. Kali practitioner btw. Congrats and safe journey ahead.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Thanks!

[@enriqueguiris5873]

Martial arts such as aikido are beautiful and teach you alot about yourself, i believe that the fighting aspect is secondary compared to the balance they bring into your life. Congratulations for your journey

[@Gutierrez_Felipe]

You are very resilient, man! Your story is very interesting/inspiring for what you are building from your first frustration with aikido! Congrats!

[@davepuxley7387]

I really respect your candor in sharing your story. Your disciplined and hopeful approach is a great lesson to me and I hope to others

[@wrenwoodgrove1348]

From my perspective, what you are demonstrating is a big part of the journey to real tangible personal power, presence, and the physical warrior arts which have applicable lessons in all areas in life. Thank you! I needed to see this for my journey.

[@mmedrano21]

Great video! The amount of humility, willingness to learn and improve your art is a testament to your character and confidence. Absolute respect brother!

[@riazzaman20]

Got to give respect to Rokas for exploring so many styles and adapting what he learns.

[@kudokoshi4257]

Hands down to you dear sir. To admit and to learn to be better is nothing of a small feat. May you find success and create the best amalgamation of all martial arts

[@spaceman6215]

I love to see martial arts building on each other!!! Working with what we know with what others know and going from there.

[@hunghoangmusic]

I recently watched a video from another KZbin - Jesse (the Karate guy) which whom you guys did collaborate before. The video is about him training with a Shaolin master and the master said this which I relate so much to this video of yours: "If you really want to learn something, you need to make a commitment, committing to something doesn't mean you commit to it as long as it feels good to you, it means you have to commit to it through ups, and downs, and left, and right, things you like and things you don't like...no matter what.... It doesn't matter which way you are walking, but stay with one way and keep walking" (not exactly word for word but that is the main idea of it). You have made the commitment with Aikido and you keep sticking to it despite the time you feel doubt about yourself, you got my respect! Keep up the good work!

[@kylesalas193]

Awesome Rokas. I practiced Aikido for a while as well, and ultimately became disenchanted by it. It's nice to see that after a try at other marital arts, that one can always come back to "The Source", and try it again after a while. Your Aikido techniques during sparring looked alot more "real" and tested, almost like on "the battle-field", and as a result, appeared refreshingly-more-convincing. Keep up with your journey, as I will do with mine. Onegaishimasu.

[@sehalos]

You sir just won my respect. Most people won another's respect through achievement and success. You manage to won my respect through humility and the will to improve. Thank you for making this video.

[@Keeper_91]

This may sound stupid but I have been toying with the notion of getting back on the mat. I practiced American Kenpo and Aiki-Jujitsu and I’ve always regretted quitting. Watching this I know for sure I definitely want to wear a gi again and pick my studies back up. Thank you for your videos sir.?

[@MrChaluliss]

This is what growing up and facing reality is all about. Recognize that when put to the test, if you fail, its up to you to figure out why and improve. It is very easy to accept lies we tell ourselves, it is much more productive to test our metal and accept failure when it naturally, and inevitably hits.