Why some people start practicing akido?

There are many ways to start. Jann: My parents found it for me. Timo: My brother already does aikido.
Some of us came because they heard of aikido from practicing friends. Others want to do something new, withouot their old friends. Some want to do something unusual, something crazy. For example a martial art without violence. Or simply want to learn self-defense.
And you?
 
Why some people continue to practice?

Timo: Because it's very interesting and a pleasure to learn aikido.
Gabriel says: I have a lot of fun and it does not hurt at all. That's also very important, isn't it?
Jann: I was very surprised that it's totally different than I imagined. The techniques are different than I thought, but I like it.
And Timo again: I became more self-confident and stronger.

But there are many more questions...
 

Why do younger children have an own group?
This way introducting into aikido is more simple. We are very different (some are serious and concentrated and calm, for some others concentration is a really big challenge), otherwise we are very similar - all of us are children. We can do many things as good as the adults, but not everything: we need a different speed - when things get explained, but also when we do excercises. That's why we learn so fine with other children. At least in the beginning. 
Gabriel explains: All children are fine partners. It's good that everybody is as big as me.

What about coloured belts?

In our group children, teenagers and adults wear white belts. Reto asked us to explain it as he knows there are aikido schools where children and adults have coloured belts.
In this case, the colour of the belt means which grade someone has. But there are also schools where only children have coloured belts, while adults wear only white ones.
When you look at the photos from aikido dojos all over the world (Click!), you cann see both - white and coloured.
In the past the Japanese did not use any belt colours. Later coloured belts were introduced in judo for children, as well as for foreigners for a better orientation who has which grade. And to encourage them to take the next test.
In our group examinations are not so important, that's why we decided to do it as in many aikido schools and use only white belts.
Anyway, it's not important if you use colours or not. The main thing is to practice regularly and enjoy learning aikido.