Today, we are honored to introduce Clement Chou, a dedicated Aikidoka based in Vancouver whose journey in martial arts is as inspiring as it is unique. Practicing Aikido with a visual impairment, Clement’s path challenges common assumptions about what is possible on the mat, reminding us that true martial spirit is shaped not by physical limitation, but by perseverance, adaptability, and heart. Through his training, he has cultivated not only technical skill, but also a profound awareness of movement, connection, and trust, offering a powerful perspective on both Aikido and life itself. We are grateful for the opportunity to share Clement’s story with our community.
Q: Please briefly introduce yourself, and tell us about your life and background.
A: My name is Clement Chou. I was born and raised in Vancouver, and am currently a freelance English teacher, narrator, and accessibility tester. I was born blind, so have
Q: When did you lose your sight? If so, please tell us how it may have affected your life or your perspective.
A: I was born blind, so have never experienced losing my vision. But being born blind means that I also grew up with some unique challenges. I was allowed to participate in less activities as a child, and wasn’t given the chance to learn some of the basic life skills learned by most people at a young age until later in life.
Q: What lead you to start studying Aikido?
A: Ever since I was young, I wanted to do martial arts. MY Dad had always taught me that it was a useful skill to defend myself, and he always ahred his love for martial arts and weapons with me. Originally, I had hoped to do Kendo, because I had always liked the concept of sword combat, and becoming a stronger person through learning how to use a sword. Unfortunately, all the instructors I met told me that they thought it would be impossible for me to do Kendo, because I couldn’t see. Other friends recommended Judo, as it’s a part of the paralympics with athletes who are blind and visually impaired, but I wanted to practice a martial art that was one I enjoyed, not just because it was the only option. I also didn’t think that being blind meant I had to choose the easier way, and I wanted to try something new. I discovered Iaido, and tried it for a year, and though I enjoyed it, I felt at the time it wasn’t the right budo for me. Then while doing more research, I discovered aikido and decided to try it. I encountered many of the same challenges I did with Kendo, with instructors telling me that they didn’t think it would be possible because of so many people practicing together, and that it would be dangerous for me to throw others or take Ukemi without being able to see around me. But eventually, I found my current dojo.
Q: Do you remember what your first time was like entering the dojo, and what it was like practicing for the first time?
A: My first time entering the dojo and practicing will always be something I remember. I was nervous, and didn’t quite know what to expect. However, Sensei and the rest of the members of the dojo were kind and encouraged me to try my best and see how far I could get while also being honest that there hadn’t been a totally blind member coming into the dojo before. My first keiko was amazing, because now more than just reading about what kind of movements were done in Aikido, I could experience them. As I am blind, even if we watch videos on Youtube or have people describe things with words, the best way to experience something is to do it, especially for something like Budo. Many of the movements I was taught my first day, like basic ukemi and tenkan, were things I couldn’t have imagined or pictured before. It was amazing.
Q: Are there any special approaches you have for learning techniques?
A: There isn’t anything that’s especially different in my approach to learning new techniques. The only thing I may do differently is always to make sure that when a new technique is being taught, my first partner after the demonstration is a Senpai so I can take Ukemi for them as they perform the technique. If no senpai are nearby, I will wait until Sensei is available and ask them to show me once. But that usually isn’t necessary, as Senpai are quick to look out for anyone who needs help, whether they are blind or not.
Q: What kind of support do you get from your instructor or other dojo members?
A: In terms of support, the biggest thing my Sensei and Senpai do is that they always assume I am capable of doing something unless I ask for extra help. They will kiai as they strike, but in our dojo, that’s something that is encouraged generally, not just for members who are blind. Noone will assume that I cannot do something until we have tried it, and then they will usually discuss with me and see what a possible way to learn or develop a skill could be.
Q: How do you think your visual impairment impacts your Aikido practice?
A: My visual impairment does present challenges, like not being able to just watch Sensei, then copy the technique. That’s the biggest one. But once I have a chance to have it demonstrated to me, it becomes much easier, especially with more experience. Perhaps the biggest impact on my Aikido is that I can focus more on the feeling behind the technique, not just how it looks. Many people who can see will often watch and copy a technique or movement, but because their attention is focused on copying what they see, they may sometimes miss the essence behind the technique. However, because I’m not able to see, I’m free to focus on the feeling behind a technique being done to me, or think about the purpose of a technique or movement beyond the visual aspect. In budo, we often talk about the importance of feeling and intent when executing techniques, and I believe that people who can’t see will have an advantage here as we can focus more on that, even if it takes a little longer to get the proper form.
Q: What made you decide to try testing for shodan?
A: I didn’t have the goal of achieving Shodan when I started. I simply started Aikido with a desire to learn and grow as much as I could. My reason for testing for Shodan was the same as my other rank advancements: Sensei told me I was ready, and to start preparing for it!
Q: Did you do anything special to prepare for your test?
A: I spent a lot of time practicing for jiyu waza, the freestyle section of the test. As I said earlier, it can be hard to imagine different scenarios and situations when we are unable to see, and so this was something I wanted to work on to make sure my techniques and transitions were smooth and without hesitation. I trained with as many people as I could and tried different approaches, such as practicing different techniques responding to the same attack, the same technique responding to different attacks, and sometimes having them attack without telling me what they were going to do beforehand.
Q: How did you feel during the test itself?
A: Well, of course I was nervous. But Sensei has always told me that a little tension can be good, as it will help you to take the exam more seriously, and so I tried to keep that in mind. But it was also satisfying to realize how far I had come since the beginning, and to be able to demonstrate the skills I learned over the past 10 years in front of so many people, especially some of the people who originally thought Aikido would be difficult or impossible.
Q: Did you do anything special to prepare for your promotion day in terms of your appearance, mindset, etc.?
A: Since certificates are usually presented after keiko, I didn’t do anything special to prepare myself in terms of dress, just made sure to come in a fresh, clean gi that would make me look presentable. In terms of mindset, I spent the day reflecting on what it would mean to receive my shodan, and to put on a hakama. In my Aikido organization, only practitioners who are shodan are above wear hakama. To me, this brought a sense of responsibility that I have tried to think about and work into my practice since that day. I understood that wearing a hakama meant I would need to practice even harder, and that I needed to be a good example to those around me, especially those who would look to me as a senpai, both during practice and out of the dojo. Sensei always reminds us that learning really starts after shodan, and that is something I have also tried hard to keep in mind, that I need to practice and learn even harder than before.
Q: You decided to buy a new hakama in celebration of receiving shodan, is that correct? Why did you choose this particular hakama?
A: Yes, that is correct. I chose this hakama because of the memory pleats, as I thought this would help make it easier to learn to fold a hakama by feel. Learning to fold a hakama is a challenging skill, whether you can see or not, and of course, not being able to see makes initial learning a bit more difficult. But with this hakama, I thought it would be and more helpful since the pleats stay more consistent, and so far I’ve been right! Learning to fold the hakama by feel only is something I consider to be a part of my practice and growth in Aikido, and this hakama has made it somewhat easier than it would’ve been otherwise. I also chose the navy blue variation instead of the standard black, as the color blue has always reminded me of both the sky and the ocean, and those have always represented to me the amount of possibilities there are to explore and discover.
Q: What has it been like to actually wear the hakama? Is there anything in particular that you especially like?
A: The hakama is comfortable and light, and very easy to move in. My old hakama had a much harder back plate, as it was designed originally for Iaido, and so ukemi was more difficult. This one has a more flexible one, as it’s made of a material more similar to rubber, which makes it more comfortable to fall and roll in. And as I mentioned previously, the pleats also stay in place more consistently, making it easier to fold.
Q: In the future, what are some ways you would like to challenge yourself through Aikido?
A: I’d like to start attending seminars and events hosted by other dojos and organizations. There are many other sensei and different styles of Aikido, and I would like to start exploring them more deeply while also maintaining my regular practice at my home dojo. Specifically, I would like to spend more time practicing and attending events when possible in Japan, so I can stay close to and maintain the Japanese roots of Aikido. Furthermore, I would also like to continue exploring different budo, and discovering what I can learn from them to bring into my own practice and help me grow as a more well-rounded budoka.
Q: Do you have anything you would like to say to those like you who have a disability?
A: Yes. I would remind people that even with a disability, it’s always important to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. It’s very easy to find reasons we cannot do something, especially when people around you tell you that something is difficult, or that your options are limited. But without stretching ourselves and being uncomfortable, it’s impossible for us to grow, either as budoka or as human beings in general. I would also say that finding friends who will stretch and push you to new possibilities is important. We tend to like finding friends who will make us comfortable, or encourage us in the way we think. But as my Sensei, senpai and even my kohai have all shown me, it’s equally important to find people who will challenge us, encourage us to try harder, and help us find new abilities and paths to explore that we may sometimes think is impossible.
Q: What is Aikido to you?
A: To me, Aikido is like reading a favourite book multiple times. The first few times you read it, you learn its basic ideas and structure. Once you understand it, every time you open it you find more to learn, and to add to your foundational understanding, and it helps to shape your perspective on all aspects of life. Aikido has also given me a glimpse at an underappreciated side of Japanese culture, and a deeper way of thinking and living that even most young Japanese people seem to have forgotten. And of course, it’s helped develop and change my views on what it looks like to live with a person with a disability, both in terms of what is possible, and in regard to the way we should treat our fellow human beings. Aikido’s philosophy of harmonizing with an opponent and working to find a resolution to conflict that is mutually beneficial is something that I think we can all learn from, especially in the polarizing culture we live in today. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunities to share these thoughts and experiences!
