How many organizations have you attended you felt, from the first time you entered, you would be…read morethere for the long run?
If you have watched any martial art style movies, do the adversaries suffer the most? You are welcome to number all the various punches by name. An instructor explained to me; "A punch, is a punch, is a punch, no mater what name you give it." This person was and is Dan Insonto. His daughter was being pushed around in a baby carriage, at the time. She probably 33 years old by now.
I would tell anyone I feel Aikido is passive/aggressive. You all understand inertia. A body in motion, shall remain in motion, until acted upon by an outside source.
Aikido, to me, isn't aggressive until that object
(a person) begins to strike. Aikido uses the forward momentum of your aggressor as an advantage, keeping the aggressor in motion, as a directed advantage, like crashing a plane.
Should an aggressor come soft, that person will be stopped softer. However, coming full strength will result in the aggressor saying; "Father forgive me, for I have sinned in my thoughts, my words, and what I failed to do."
The body of this organization is made up of professional people, from various well groomed industries. Saying this is to explain anyone willing to learn, will have the very best group of trained professionals found anywhere. If you are 8 yrs old, you will be taught. If you're of an "old school," willing to learn, you will be taught, not judged.
However, No One begins, without being stretched out in more places than flees on a hunting dog! Do your homework. Come with an open mind, observe, speak with everyone having positive open mind the way the young mighty mights show up, with respect. Give your best and you will get the best!