Why learn weapons in Aikido?

• Weapons training is helpful for learning proper Maai, or distancing. It helps improve the sense of balance, properuse of hips, taisabaki, cadence, timing , and strength.
• Training in weapons kata is a way of facilitating understanding of general principles of aikido movement.
• Weapons training provides aikidoka with an opportunity to develop a kind of responsiveness and sensitivity to the movements and actions of others, making it easier to focus on cognitive development.
• Working with weapons provides certain qualities in training that are difficult to discover with hand-to-hand technique.
• It is often easier to discard competitive mindsets when engaged in weapons training, making it easier to focus on cognitive development