Chapter One: The Valkyries Return

On March 24, 2024, the Valkyries returned. Some were curious. Some were cautious. Some were a little heart weary. Some wanted to help their aiki-siblings. Some just wanted to have their lived experiences be heard. Some wanted to do something - stir the air until the wind could be felt.

Sixteen Valkyries met online. They came (and were welcomed) from different aikido associations. Different clans. But one Aikikai. Every decade of life: from teens, to 80s. Because everywhere, the same stories are lived. And repeated.

Let’s rewind a bit.

In Fall 2022, the aikido community was finding its pace again after the isolation of the COVID era, and the BCAF Board was considering policy changes and new initiatives. It occurred to them that it might be a good time to revisit the BCAF’s statement on inclusivity. It soon became apparent, however, that a “quick fix” would be meaningless. They decided to focus on one thing at a time, and further discussion regarding inclusivity was tabled until youth-related policy changes could be implemented.

At the 2023 BCAF AGM, an update to the EDI statement was mentioned in the context of a future item of business. And another old story was repeated.

In this story, those who have never felt excluded have difficulty understanding how and why this topic is important. And those who have felt and understand exclusion shake their heads and feel unheard.

One woman decided to push forward. She started by doing some research: (www.aikidoideaproject.com). But she was left with many more questions than when she had started. And some despair as to how ingrained attitudes can be, and how difficult change can seem.

So, she asked for help. And one woman became three.

But so much more than a carefully worded statement was needed. How could such a statement become evidence-based? How can we, together, walk the talk? What should be the first step?

Could small, actionable items arising from policy, planning, and education support the creation of an aikido landscape where disparities naturally become smaller over time?

To gain a broader perspective, they decided to reach out to others who were likely to understand, intrinsically, the importance of inclusivity.

A Call went out. And the Valkyries assembled. And they brought their stories and ideas, their hopes, and their despairs with them.

We heard about the “old-school” mindset, where women were not considered equal to men on the mats, but rather as sexual objects. We heard about how aikido is a male-dominated, patriarchal hierarchy, but also an aging group in need of greater diversity in age and gender. We heard frustration over the lack of female instructors. We heard about how aikido is a boys’ club. And how a more inclusive club is needed.

We heard a question that gets repeated whenever a woman reaches the rank of third kyu: “Why do women get to wear a hakama before men?”

We heard about women being told that men have more to offer when it comes to making decisions. We heard about how some men, who are juniors in rank and experience, will offer “helpful” advice during practice, and how unwanted instruction from practice partners of any rank can disrupt one’s own personal growth and choices.

We heard about how liberties are sometimes taken and how women can find themselves being moved around on the mats or touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable. We heard about being man-handled; about being pushed on one’s chest and touched on one’s lower back or thighs.

We heard about hurtful comments being made regarding physique and ability. We heard about how inequalities on the mats can extend to social gatherings and social expectations. We heard how disappointing it can be when praise is offered in terms of your suitability as a wife: “You’re going to make someone a lucky man.”

We heard about how attempts to intervene and correct unwanted behaviors have been made and can be made, and how we should encourage each other to set boundaries. If everyone stays silent, things don’t change.

And we were reminded that many of us have seen these things not just on the mats, but in the workplace.

And that it is important to do some soul searching and ask: how do we support our aiki-sisters on the mats? Are we being a responsive uke? A non-judgemental partner? Or are we looking around for a “hakama” to train with?

We were informed that sometimes when you hear a comment that sounds a little off-putting, a good comeback can be, “That’s an interesting thing to say out loud.” Because it makes them think.

The Valkyries listened deeply, they thought, and they began to imagine a new aikido landscape.

Collectively, we can create and nourish a sisterhood that extends beyond any one dojo: one that welcomes other siblings who have also felt exclusion in its many, many forms. Our collective voice will undoubtedly be louder and travel further than any single voice alone.

Together, we can undertake a deep dive into the meaning of consent as it pertains, specifically, to the dojo environment. What does consent between practice partners mean? What are the expectations when we bow to someone? Does consent play a role in the student-teacher relationship? In relationships between junior and senior students? How can we create a dojo environment where the withdrawal of consent during practice feels possible? In which there are no adverse repercussions to saying, “No”?

So many questions. But by bringing greater visibility and awareness to these issues and what does, in fact, happen in the dojo (even if unintentional), perhaps we can shift the environment towards a greater tolerability of different thresholds of physical comfort. “If you feel uncomfortable, it’s ok to step away.” Let’s work to make this statement feel more realistic and to create more welcoming dojo environments.

And not just welcoming dojo environments – but healthy dojo environments. Subconscious biases that exist off the mats are easily brought onto the mats. But these biases can be both distracting and discouraging to those wishing to overcome limitations and take flight. Sharing dojo codes of conduct could bring greater awareness of what are the expectations of a healthy dojo, allowing dojos to perform self-checks and initiate preventative policies. Extending this medical analogy, defined and effective conflict resolution policies could be combined with mentorship or support networks to create a team-based surgical framework capable of addressing problems systematically and transparently.

Finally, one of the most difficult to address topics, particularly as one advances through the ranks, is power dynamics. The long-term effects of power dynamics can be difficult to see, as the hierarchical nature of the way aikido is taught can become very ingrained as “just the way it is.” But “just the way it is” leaves little room for systemic maturation. For evolution. 

For broadening horizons and discovering new vistas.

For taking flight.