Drake

I had a similar hesitation when I started to train both shotokan karate and aikido parallel to each other. At first I had to stay very conscious of what I was doing and it is quite a challenge for me! Yet it completes each other in a very interesting manner. It offers you options also. During aikido training I recognize techniques that are hidden in the karate kata and at karate training I am able to perform locks and throws more skilled than my fellow karatekas. For instance applying a wrist lock from katas like bassai dai is recognized by me as the nikyo in aikido and there I learned to use my flow and center to execute it effectively. In general I feel a more complete martial artist.

Thanks for the replies and advice guys! It helped already

Hey everybody For over half a year I took up aikido next to my weekly karate training (Shotokan) in which I have a 2nd Dan degree. I pick up aikido rather quickly as I do with most stuff I do. What I find challenging is that karate utilizes firm techniques, stopping, maintaining balances and anticipating the opponents reaction. In aikido the movements are more fluid, do not stop, balance works different and an opponents reaction ability is generally disregarded. I came to question myself: is it wise or even possible to train these two arts simultaneously? Constantly it demands a great sense of consciousness which is fine but I fear the two different styles interfere as where I hoped they would complement each other. Perhaps people with experience in this can advice Thanks a lot! Drake