I agree that there is an obvious connection. I have been learning for about a year. Every lock is a mechanical puzzle. They get more and more difficult. The tools are fun and interesting as well. I found the theory easy to learn. I was able to open a few locks without security pins. Then I tried, and was successful, with a couple (literally, two) locks with security pins.
Then I got busy and lost the feel.
That's how I learned that, for me at least, it's a skill you can lose if you don't keep working. I guess that's obvious, though, considering it's all feel.
But I love doing it. Its great, and I pick cheap locks at work all the time when I forget my keys.