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Aikido at the Center

Offering a Traditional Path to Martial Arts Training
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AikidoKids! Tucson

Watch our AikidoKids! director Claire Conway and two of our AikidoKids! students on The Morning Blend.  Click here to view the show.  

Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art that teaches children physical and emotional control. These days, violence and bullying can be concerning. Let "the way of harmony" help your child learn to resolve conflict peacefully.

Aikido is suitable both for the active child and for the child who would like to become more active. It develops coordination, self-confidence, poise, and discipline in a friendly, noncompetitive atmosphere.

The children's program is for children 6 to 12. Parents may join in the children's classes at no charge.

In our AikidoKids! classes, boys and girls, advanced students and beginners all train together in every class.

 Schedule for Kids Classes

Mondays and Wednesdays--4:15 pm- 5:00 pm
Saturdays--9:30 am-10:30 am
Please contact (520) 795-5141 or cvc36@aol.com for current rates and information.  Family discounts are available.

Click here for information on our AikidoKids! Tucson instructors.  The AikidoKids! instructors collectively have over 20 years of Aikido experience!

Hear what the kids have to say about their aikido experience- please go to our AikidoKids! article.  (pdf)  Includes the story of how 6 year old Will saved his father from a rattlesnake!

The AikidoKids! program is also actively involved in community outreach.  We've done summer camps with the Pasqua Yacqui tribe in Tucson, bringing Aikido to the native population.  We are so proud of the outreach AikidoKids! does - our kids are always ready to share their Aikido with other interested young people.

Kids also perform demonstrations around the community--the most recent being the Tucson Peace Fair and Tucson Meet Yourself. 

Click here to get more information and to see pictures of our outreach programs and community demonstrations.

Image of bowing in to kids class

"The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body, and polish the spirit."  Morihei Ueshiba, O'Sensei 

Our own Claire Conway and AikidoKids! featured in a Daily Star article!

Read the article at:
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/mailstory-clickthru/272102.php


aikido kanji

Training the Confidence to be Non Violent
Image of kids punching practice
 Rolling practice in kids class
 Practicing ikkyo in kids class
 Kids practicing kokyuKids practicing kokyu
Why Should Kids Practice Aikido?

1.  Aikido is a non-aggressive martial art.  You can't really start a fight with Aikido--you can only finish one, or more importantly, avoid one altogether.  Aikido doesn't encourage kids to go around punching and kicking.  Aikido technique starts when someone else "breaks the rules," i.e. "attacks."
2.  Aikido teaches kids to be calm.  Of course, kids shouldn't be calm all the time, but Aikido gives them the choice.  If they need to sit still at school, concentrate on homework or focus during sports, Aikido shows them how to do that. The techniques and testing we do teach them correct calmness.  This is entirely different from keeping their emotions bottled up.  Aikido calmness feels good.
3.  Aikido teaches kids practical self-defense.  A long-time children's class member related a story of how an older boy was making trouble with her on the bus.  Twice she used Aikido to take away his balance and safely pin him.  She avoided the trouble she would have gotten herself into if the only defense she knew was punching or kicking.
4.  Aikido gives kids a positive world view.  It teaches that in order to create something worthwhile, you must work in harmony with your environment.  It teaches that if you make trouble, you will lose.  But if you mind is correct, calm, and positive, you can make something good out of whatever the universe hands you.  
5.  Aikido teaches a lighter approach to life.  A plodding, serious approach to life doesn't feel good, and it 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.
6.  Aikido helps kids at school.  By training in Aikido, kids develop calm, clear minds.  As a result, they absorb knowledge easier and think with greater clarity.  
7.  Anyone can be good at Aikido.  Aikido does not require athletic talent.  The key to making progress in Aikido is simply persevering and having a positive attitude.  What better lesson can we teach our kids?
8.  Aikido works for little people.  Since Aikido does not rely on size, speed, weight, or reach, it is actually applicable by children on adults.  In fact, it can be quite surprising how much power our children can muster when throwing adults!
   
 
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In accordance with O Sensei's directives, Aikido at the Center does not discriminate on the counts of agedness, race, sex, creed, national original, political beliefs, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

Aikido at the Center is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Aikido at the Center
3100 N Stone Ave
 Suite 222
Tucson, AZ 85705-5924
Phone: (520) 887-3986

www.aikidoatthecenter.org