Aikido is a martial art where people can practice together regardless of age, gender, or physical size.
I believe that those who are small and cannot rely on their strength are most likely to find Aikido interesting.
These are my reasons:
Larger people can indeed have more significant and stronger movements, so it may look good. However, larger people can get by with their “power” and “momentum.” This means that there is less need for them to polish their “technique.”
In contrast, smaller people can only work on their “technique.” If their technique works on partners larger or more potent than them, that is certain proof of the development of their “technique.”
As a side note, Aikido’s founder, Master Morihei Ueshiba, was 155-156 cm (5ft. 1in.) tall. However, he is said to have been unrivaled in strength and weighed around 75 kg (165 pounds) from about 20 to his prime years*.
*Reference: “Biography of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba [Aikido kaiso Ueshiba Morihei den]” (1999, edited by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, revised and edited by Moriteru Ueshiba, published by Geijyutsusha, p63)
