Here’s what you gain through out your aikido Journey,

1. You build discipline – consistency is key.

2. You respect for time – Managing your time for yourself and time of other people. 6 years journey to be become Shodan. No rushing, respect time.

3. Learn to be humble – there are good days and bad days, always keep your feet on the ground

4. Learn to eat pain – life is full of surprises, so better be prepared for rejections, challenges and heart aches.

5. Lastly, You prove to yourself that if you put your heart and mind of what you are doing, then you are limitless.

“when you reach shodan, then you are now a true beginner in aikido. “

– Benson Rafanan (5th Dan Aikikai)

Shodan (初段), literally meaning “beginning degree,” is the lowest black belt rank in Japanese martial arts[1] and the game of Go. 1st dan is called Shodan traditionally and not “Ichidan”. This is because the character 初 (sho, alternative pronunciation: hatsu) also means first, new or beginning in Japanese. (c/o Wikipedia)