Children's Self Defense
Our children's classes are based on the ideas of our school but specifically adapted to make them simple to understand.
Who can learn it?
Aikido does not require athletic talent. In fact, that can sometimes get in the way. Aikido works for little people, since it does not rely on size, or speed, or weight. It is particularly suitable for children of a more gentle nature. We don't have set ages, but as a guide 5 years and upwards is about right.
What will you learn?
Our school teaches a range of skills including:
A strategy for self defence
Self control
Confidence
Calmness
Respect for others
Stamina
Discipline
Longer attention span
Working in harmony with others
Flexibility
Co-ordination
Responsibility
How will you learn it?
After demonstrations from an instructor, the students practice together in pairs to perform techniques games and exercises. Both students work together to perform the technique successfully and there are no winners or losers. As one student practices attack, the other practices receiving the techniques and so help each other to develop.
Safety first
Children's classes are run on a safety first basis, the risk of getting hurt is minimal.
All of our teachers are CRB checked and hold First Aid Certificates
No competitions
In aikido there are no competitions. Everyone can develop according to their own abilities, and we all practice to be able to live in peace and harmony with others and not to destroy someone else.
Grading
We do not have coloured belts in our school. We prefer to encourage everybody to help each other learn.
Who will be teaching?
The children's class has two teachers keeping an eye on things, Rick and Vanessa.
Rick Barnes has studied with Ray for many years and has taught the junior class with great success for some years now. He is a father of three growing sons and a highly skilled and respected teacher in our school.
Vanessa has been training with us since 2003 and teaches Year 5 in a local Primary School.
