Training budo is an important part of my spare time. My main art is Aikido, which I started in spring 1995 in Turku Aikikai. I was also the information secretary of Finland Aikikai 1999-2004. Alongside that I contribute to the federation's biannual Aikido magazine. My current grade is 2nd dan.

An academic profession allows one to travel and I have noticed to my great pleasure that aikido is extremely international and a good way to get to know new people in different countries. I have made shorter or longer visits to various aikido dojos in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, England, the United States and Japan.

Alongside Aikido, I  train Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu as taught by Tetsutaka Sugawara Sensei. This traditional Japanese swordsman school has been on my weekly program since 1997. I have also had a short go in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido at the Shiroi Bara Dojo in Leeds, UK. I have also practiced modern, European jujutsu, but now the days are too short for that.

I am interested about the martial arts in general as well as academically. I find it especially interesting to think about the cultural aspects of Asian martial arts in the West. I have arranged in collaboration with a few fellow academics two research seminars on martial arts in Finland. Hopefully in the future it will be possible to do serious research on the matter.