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Aikido is a martial art which adults practice. So why is Aikido a good idea for children?
Aikido helps children at school. Through training, children develop calm, clear minds. As a result, they absorb knowledge easier, and think with greater clarity. Aikido also teaches children practical self-defence. They learn self-discipline and learn to think about their actions and the value of conflict resolution through non-aggressive means. Aikido does not require athletic talent. In fact, athletic prowess can sometimes get in the way. Aikido works for little people, since it does not rely on size, or speed, or weight.
You will probably be grateful that aikido is completely self-defensive. It involves dealing with punching and kicking and aggression from others, not actually applying (and making kids better at) kicking and punching. Over time, children learn to sense aggression in others and develop a range of skills in diffusing aggression and conflict, which are not necessarily physical.
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The key to making progress in aikido is simply persevering and having a positive attitude. What better lesson can we teach our children? Griffith Aikido believes the training of aikido should firstly be safe, as well as fun. As parents, this is what we want for our children from any activity. For a child, any environment that promotes learning through laughter, imagery and games becomes a safe environment.
This safe environment can enhance a child's ability to learn and thus begin studying the more serious side of martial arts. Having fun, playing games, and using one's imagination are part of growing up. Opportunities and permission to do all of these things allow children to take risks in a safe way.
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Kids have the ability to learn basic Aikido principles through exercises, games and techniques. Kids can become absorbed in an activity because it is fun and then receive additional benefits, such as an increased awareness of their surroundings and a better perception of the strengths and limitations of themselves and others. They have the opportunity to push themselves further, to explore their abilities, to assert themselves, to focus their attention, to push themselves physically, emotionally and mentally beyond what they think they are capable of. Aikido teaches kids "how to be strong" and how learning to stay calm and relaxed can be much stronger than things like anger, force and aggression. They learn about responsibility, doing the right thing, even without reward, about treating each other with respect and kindness. They also learn about things like bullying, or how to respond to verbal insults.
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Aikido is training for the mind and body. Aikido is training for life. Aikido teaches kids a lighter approach to life. A plodding serious approach to life doesn't feel good. And it usually doesn't yield the best possible results. Aikido works best when you relax and feel light. By learning this in practice, our children can't help but apply this to their lives.
Aikido gives kids a positive worldview. It teaches that in order to create something worthwhile, you must work in harmony with your environment and others. If your mind is correct, calm, and positive, you can make something good out of whatever the universe hands you.
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When you step across the threshold of the Dojo you enter the world of Aikido, the Art of Peace. Having its origins in the martial arts, Aikido was created by Master Morihei Ueshiba, for the purpose of joining the power of a martial artist with the intent of a peace-maker. 'Ai' which means Love or Harmony, manifests between human beings as Kindness, and upon this foundation the skills of Aikido are built. Its mission is to create people with the strength of character and the skill to manifest Kindness even in the face of overwhelming odds. To never be defeated. Thus, to have enroled your child in Aiki Kids is to have done their self-esteem a great service.
Aikido is a very deep art that has many facets and although Aiki Kids only serves as an introduction, it is still a high quality introduction. Behind the techniques of Aikido lie skills that come from Nature, yet are usually undeveloped in human beings. The Seven Mysteries, a collection of seven of these natural skills for aikikids, are so called because as they develop they arise naturally and unforced, and seem to have no limit to their depth.
Aikido does not require athletic talent and does not rely on size or speed. It is
more dependent upon the coordinated relationship between the mind and the body, and to achieve this, Calm and Focused Awareness become the main tools. As these develop they allow the aikidoka (aikido practitioner) to 'blend' with their opponent's ki (energy) and then 'lead' their movement through an aikido technique.
Aikikids will learn about: Calm in Action, Ki, and Blending.
Aikido is based upon movement that originates from the Tanden or Centre
( a dynamic point of focus in the lower belly ), and this understanding of movement can benefit all types of physical activity.
Aikikids will learn about: moving from Centre.
In the practice of Aikido it is necessary to know the subtle art of keeping safe distance between oneself and an aggressor. This is known as Ma'ai. It is also necessary to know the life-saving skills of Ki'ai and Ukemi. Ki'ai is a shout that originates in the Centre, filled with Ki, and can be employed either to call for help or to distract an attacker. Ukemi is the art of safe falling. We fall many times in our lives - from horses, bikes, skateboards, motorbikes, etc. Like swimming, ukemi is a lifeskill that can, and has on many occasions, saved people from very bad injuries and even death. Aikikids will learn about: Ma'ai, Ki'ai and Ukemi.
The secret to progress in Aikido is simply to persevere and to maintain a positive attitude. This, that is so simple, is profound in its effect upon personal development. And in Aikido the rewards, subtle as they are, are real and deep.
Aiki Kids discipline is self-disipline. It is not punishment, but is part of the training in Calm and Focus. A child's misbehaviour in the dojo is neither the instructor's problem nor the parent's. It is the child's problem, and a very simple and gentle process is employed to assist Self-Calming and Self-Focusing.
Aiki Kids instructors consist of men and women of all ages who voluntarily give of their time, their patience and their kindness to facilitate this training. Their greatest satisfaction is in seeing a child realize their own potential.
The dojo itself is not a public space but a private venue. Neither playground, classroom, nor loungeroom, it is a unique environment dedicated to specialised training in Calm and Focus.
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A dojo or training hall, is neither a sports venue (having no spectators)
nor a school. It is a unique environment where Calm and Focused Awareness are developed through training in martial technique. It is a refuge from the outside world, that should be mentally 'left behind' as you enter.
Training requires both calm and focus, and a quiet, focused environment is the desired ambience of the dojo. As Aikido has neither competition nor aggression an Aikido dojo is more peaceful than most.
Although initially some rules need to be learnt, dojo culture does not come from a set of rules but rather from the understanding of, and respect for, the goal of Aikido and the dedication of its practitioners.
Students must arrive early, allowing the class to start on time.
Children must wear shoes to the dojo door.
No lollies or sugary drinks should be consumed before class by those children who have a tendency to become sugar-hyperactive.
Children's sores should be covered with an effective bandage or plaster.
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Our kids classes are specifically targeted for children from 6-12yrs old, with Aikinippers for younger kids, aikikids for older kids and Aikiteens for the emerging adult. They feature many important aspects of aikido in a form suitable for children. Due to the popularity of the classes parents are often invited to assist, please inform sensei if you are interested. Classes run on a prepaid multi-class ticket. You are welcome to just turn up or contact Steve Mitchell if you have any questions. Class times here. 
