Aiki I
suggested starting age: 3 years old and up
Pedagogy and Objectives in Aiki I
In our Aiki I classes we work on cultivating the very fundamentals of all human achievement – be that athletic, social, moral, intellectual, and/or spiritual. Aiki I training emphasizes the cultivation of the self over the art's technical and/or tactical concerns.
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Through games, our Aiki I program seeks to nurture the body/mind of the child member. This is done by cultivating body/mind coordination, eye/hand coordination, cross-lateral coordination, multi-relational thinking, environmental awareness, increased focus/attention span, a capacity for silence and stillness, and muscular and bone development through bodyweight resistance training. Additionally, because our characters are revealed on the mat, child members are mentored in the virtues of bravery, integrity, tenacity, compassion, wisdom, love, and harmony.
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We do not categorize our child members according to age. The line between Aiki I and Aiki II is permeable by design. Moreover, since the cultivation of the above-mentioned virtues are fundamental to one's maturity in the art, we encourage members in the Aiki II program to continue their Aiki I practice,. This means that children of all ages share their practice of Aikido with each other.
Please feel free to have yourself and your child/children attend or observe an Aiki I class at anytime. A call or email is greatly appreciate if you'd like to try a class, but not necessary. Please feel free to walk in as well.