Kids (Ages 4-7) :

Aikido gives children a way to learn about themselves, their bodies and their environment. Movement and the development of the child are closely related. Aikido is about movement in harmony with oneself, others and the world.

Children practice in a friendly, coed atmosphere. Our specially qualified instructors use games, techniques and tumbling exercises to teach children how to defend themselves without hurting others.

Practicing Aikido supports the total development of your child.

It is difficult to describe Aikido in words. The best way to understand it is to visit our dojo, watch a class, and decide for yourself if Aikido would benefit your child.

Unlike traditional combative arts, the defensive nature of Aikido teaches children how NOT to fight. Aikido helps children learn to deal with difficult and stressful situations in a relaxed, assertive manner.

Aikido doesn't require great physical strength or big muscles. There are no contests or tournaments so your child never has to "defeat" classmates or worry about losing to others.

Answering Parents’ Questions about the Aiki-Activity Class

What is Aiki-Activity?

 We offer Aiki-Activity as a fun class for young children, ages 4–7, to improve their coordination, balance, and concentration. Your children will learn in a safe active dojo environment without learning the martial-arts techniques of formal Aikido study. Class activities suited to the particular needs of the children in the class will include

• warm up exercises and stretches for strength and flexibility
• sitting and standing exercises for concentration and posture
• voice, breath, rhythm and coordination exercises
• safe falling and tumbling practice
• balancing and unbalancing activities
• escape and evasion games
• music as an integral part of the curriculum

How will my child benefit from this class?

We have these goals for the children in our Aiki-Activity class:

• Improve balance and coordination
• Strengthen concentration and self-control
• Enhance awareness of the activities of those around them
• Discover and develop the wonderful rhythms of movement
• Have fun!

Why not just teach regular Aikido to this age group?

The anatomy of young children, as well as their ability to concentrate and control their limbs, makes regular Aikido classes unsuitable. For example, regular Aikido practice includes training in forward falls, where the student rolls onto her arm, protecting her neck from stress and her head from contact with the mat. This falling technique becomes safe only when the child’s arm is long enough to reach across the head to the opposite ear. Further, we feel that even the relatively mild stresses of Aikido joint locks and holds are potentially dangerous for developing joints.

How can children progress from Aiki-Activity to the regular junior Aikido class?
Children can move up to the regular (8–14 years old) class when they turn eight, or sooner if, in the opinion of the instructors, the child’s body and mind have developed to a level that would permit a safe transition. In the Aiki-Activity class we do not conduct the rank promotion examinations that we give in the older children’s Aikido class, but we will have periodic performance events where your children can demonstrate their skills.

What level of formality should we expect in the class?

We will teach your children some of the forms of traditional Japanese courtesy for use in the dojo. These include making standing bows when arriving and leaving, sitting bows to the instructor and partner at the start and end of each new activity, and addressing the instructor as “Sensei” (“teacher” in Japanese). If you have religious or cultural concerns about any of these forms of politeness, please let us know so that we can make appropriate accommodations.
Beyond the martial-arts etiquette, we will model other expectations of polite behavior, including: patient listening during instruction; careful cooperation with instructions; gentle treatment of other children and concern for their feelings; asking permission to leave or enter the practice space.

May parents observe the classes?

Parents are welcome to sit and watch any and all classes from the side of the mat. Except in case of emergency, however, we expect that parents will act only as spectators, and not engage children during class time. Parents observing the class should expect to see lots of activity, with varying degrees of control or assistance offered by the instructors. We expect that children’s ability and willingness to concentrate, to follow instructions, and to perform the activities will vary individually. Our goal is to motivate the children to improve themselves, and for all of us to have fun in the process.

Our expectations for the parents and children:

- Let us know of any physical, mental, or emotional conditions affecting the well-being of your children, so that we can attempt to accommodate their needs.

- Arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before the scheduled start time, and pick up your children no later than 5 minutes after the scheduled end time. This will cause minimum interference with our other scheduled classes.

- Accompany your children into and out of the dojo rather than dropping them off or picking them up in the parking lot.

- Notify us ahead of time when someone other than the person who brings the children will pick them up.

- Children should stay home from class if they feel sick, or have an injury or infectious disease.

- Children should come to class with clean faces, hands, and feet.

- Children should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that covers the knees. Martial arts uniforms are discouraged because, at this age, they can actually inhibit comfortable and safe movement.  So you can actually save money as well!

- Children should wear shoes or sandals when not on the mat, and bare feet at all times when on the mat (in some circumstances socks are permissible). Children should not wear jewelry, hair ornaments, watches, or sharp belt-buckles during class, and should have empty pockets.

- Children should bring a water bottle to the class, and leave it by the edge of the mat, where they can take sips as needed. Label the bottle with your child’s name. To keep the dojo clean, we will not permit any other food or drink in the practice room.

If you have any other questions, please ask an instructor!

 

“Dues start as low at $15/class. Please call 480.242.0390 for more information.”