Parent Kids Classes
The children and teen classes at Art of Peace Aikido are a big part of our family-oriented dojo. The Aikido principles of balance, being grounded and moving from the center also helps many with other challenging physical activities and sports like soccer, baseball and skiing. The younger kids learn how to focus, be calm, and connect their mind with their body. It is dynamic & fun, and most kids want to do it after they watch or try a class.
Saturdays 9:30-10:15 AM Parent/Kids Class*
*for ages 3 1/2 on up to 11 years old. These classes are for kids and parents to do together.
Everyone in the class will learn how to harmonize with each other’s movement, take Aikido rolls, learn Aikido techniques and start to experience and understand the art that resolves conflict. The Art of Peace.
Aikido is a very modern martial art, and there is no competition within it. Our focus is not on belts and hierarchy. There are no winners or losers. Disharmony and conflict of forces is resolved with the harmony of blended movement
A number of physicians and child psychologists have recommended this Aikido class over the years to parents whose kids had physical, psychological or learning issues. Parents were thrilled that their kids learned to be calmer, more focused, more grounded / balanced – and were able to do Aikido along with everyone else – when often times it was their very first experience in a class of physical activity
It is such a great thing for kids so do together with their parents. They are within their comfort zone from the initial class, and will incrementally branch out from that.
Teen Classes
Teens have their own class but are also allowed to join select adult classes by invitation.
Wednesdays - 4:30-5:20 PM Teens*
*for ages 12 and older.
Ralph Legnini - Children and Teens Program Director
Ralph is a very experienced instructor for kids and teenager Aikido classes, having previously been the Children’s Program Director at Woodstock Aikido for over two and a half decades. Ralph has also taught Aikido at the Buddhist Monastery in Mt. Tremper, NY, The Middle Way School, the Hudson Valley Sudbury School, and within the Cool School Program at the Onteora Central School system – where he was also the President of that school district’s Board of Education. He has evolved and implemented a very atypical way of teaching these age groups, with a dynamic high energy approach that introduces to kids early on many very advanced aspects of Aikido that many adults do not do for years in adult classes. “These young minds are fluid and mostly devoid of a sense of competition or ego when learning the art. Everyone trains together and roots for each other’s progress, there is no focus on rank, or other elements that could create a perceived hierarchy within the class. Kids with learning or emotional issues, or physical challenges have all flourished in these classes. They are not ‘dumbed down’ adult classes with some game-like things thrown in – it’s a full class of Aikido, and the mindful aspects of the art are often discussed, related to things the students often experience in their day, and in their world.
Join our youth email list by contacting us at artofpeacekids@gmail.com – and also feel free to contact us with any questions about our Aikido program for children. We promptly will get back to you.