When I was recovering from being in a PhD program (I was experiencing pretty extreme isolation), my wife and I re-started aikido. Dojo has been a great benefit

When I was recovering from being in a PhD program (I was experiencing pretty extreme isolation), my wife and I re-started aikido. Dojo has been a great benefit to our lives. We get: - a friendly community of close-knit people who ask about your welfare if you’re absent - vigorous aerobic exercise - A well-lit space during the dark winter months In a lot of ways, it’s a bit like a church, but without the religion, and a whole lot more exercise. Also, this isn’t unique to aikido. I’ve also done judo and another style of jujitsu and found similar experiences (albeit with a little more difficulty finding a non-testosterone-soaked environment). Presumably other styles offer this too.