Why do you practice?

Is that referring to anything you want to accomplish, like singing, guitar practicing, piano, baseball, sports, etc. I am not into Akido, but I am into singing, and whatever sports or art you practice, it is to be better than you were, and if the opportunity arises in which someone wants a demonstration of your skill, you do not fall flat on your face.
Sometimes there is only one chance for an opportunity and you do not want to miss it.

At first I started learning Aikido because I wanted to be good in martial arts. I was enticed with the martial arts concept and felt that I should also learn how to do it. But when I learned the ideals of Aikido I realized that these way of thinking is not what this art teaches. Aikido is a way of life and it's primary ideal is harmony and avoiding conflict. It also teaches humility, discipline, and respect. This is what I always keep in my mind whenever I step into the mats.

i train because i want to get fit. keep active and feel good about my self and of course to learn self defence

I have terrible physical coordination, I smoke until I'm out of breathe, my stamina is pitiful, my temper gets ahead of me all the time. I didn't learn aikido to be able to fight since I'm not afraid of a fight, to me, it's just a matter of getting the other guy first. But ever since I started practicing aikido, I knew I didn't even have to fight at all. Also, I want something I can practice until I grow old, not like the other martial arts where the younger guys will beat you up eventually. And lastly, I'm determined to wear that hakama...

i wanted to kick a$$ to beat the other guy, out of fear to learn a power of control the others,, all out of fer to be bullied like what happend to me when i was young,, started to learn . started to understand
started to change ... fear is not gone completely but confidence was buliding up ..compasiion and sympathy, harmony, concepts were introduced in a very dramatic way .. the rage was gone . and peace landed on my shoulder like the green fly ..you know the green fly
or mabe u think it is golden fly ..u will never catch it no matter how u try but once u set down and meditate a little you will get in right on ur shoulders,,, went from aikido to explore others . ninjutsu,tai chi, muy tai,, but aiki was always the basic thing,,, do something inorder not to ever be come a victim,,better than practising the destructive art of ( fartido ) the art of watching tv with a big burger sandwitch and fart )