Consequently, she was stunned by her own reflection. Taking advantage of this moment, a god of great strength pulled her the rest of the way out of the cave. Thus, the opening of the rock door resulted in Amaterasu's release from the cave and emergence into the world at large. Perhaps he was referring to how Aikido can free us from constraints, many of which are self-imposed. First of all, Aikido can provide us with greater physical freedom.
Regular practice leads to greater flexibility and endurance, especially in the role of uke.
This becomes more valuable especially as we grow older. Even those who begin Aikido when they are already past their physical prime will, with regular practice, begin moving with greater ease. As our movements become more fluid and relaxed, we are better able to respond quickly and appropriately when faced with a physical threat. As we progress through continuous practice, we begin to reap benefits beyond a physical level. As your body learns new patterns of movement, your mind learns new patterns of thinking.