Kid's Class
Appalachian Ki Aikido is happy to provide martial arts classes in Ki Aikido for children!
Lots of Physical Activity! We wear them out so you don't have to!
We train students in Ki-Aikido's non-aggressive principles, mind and body coordination, as well as techniques so that they may advance in rank within our Kid's class belt system.
Fun games are used to teach principles and keep the energy level high to make the class fun and exciting for young students.
High Energy, Fun, Exciting and Educational!
Ages 6-10 (Space is limited)
Contact Chris at KidsKiAikido@gmail.com.
Classes paid for monthly, one free class for all new students, $80 a month. Classes meet twice week. In months with more than 8 classes, the extra days are free.
610 State Farm Road in Boone, NC
Classes are on Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-4:30.
(Summer Intensive Classes are from 2:30-5:00)($25 a class paid for on an agreed amount of time, 2 weeks, a month etc.)
Advanced Kid's Classes are offered on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00-5:00. We are also now creating new classes to accommodate growing numbers.
One free class is extended to all new students who want to try Kid's Ki-Aikido.
Classes are paid for at the beginning of the month. Classes that are canceled by the instructor are credited to the next month. Classes canceled by parents of students(sickness, family vacations, other activities, skiing, camps, etc.) are not credited to the next month.
The Purpose of Kids Aikido Games
• To have fun while helping students to channel their creative energy into a productive play-based learning activity.
• Learning principles within the context of a game creates an outlet for the extra energy that can impede a young person’s ability to focus during techniques in a disciplined way.
• The students don’t always know the purpose of the games. Using the intelligence of play can help them to learn to move with others’ intentions in natural ways.
• Young students are more able to learn when the activity is perceived as fun.
The “Games” (Teaching tools for Aikido with young children)
Suatte – Tatte - Awareness of Others ability to move quickly from seated position.
(Learning importance of correct posture – you can’t move without it)
• Learning to sit seiza (Sitting posture - upright) and move quickly (with intense energy) is an important ability. During International Ki-Aikido competition the ability to stand and move with energy from the position of seiza is one of the criteria of the competition.
• Moving from the seated position while being aware of another’s intention is also an integral part of the awareness training that is developed in the daily life of Aikido practitioners. If you aren’t aware and able to move, your techniques will not work.
• Learning to become accustomed to Japanese phrases that appear regularly in seminars.
• Releasing extra energy and channeling it learning the anticipation of movement.
Zatoichi – Moving Softly – Awareness of Self – Use of all of the Senses - Rolling softly for advanced training on hard surfaces.
• Learning how to be still enough to hear others around you and to be aware that one has more than simply the sense of sight. Using the ears to anticipate the approach of others.
• Staying calm enough to be able to react to the intentions of others appropriately (without overreacting) even when they have a clear advantage over your position.
• Learning how to be “Extending Ki” in all directions through awareness and physical movement which is an integral part of free style Randori in the adult practice of Aikido.
• Sensing without seeing the “attack” (in this case, touch) coming before it comes, when one can’t see their “attacker” is an important skill of Aikido for correct timing.
• Awareness of self while moving, soft rolls are helpful for rolling on concrete and asphalt.
The Purpose of Learning Aikido Techniques - The principle of Non-Dissension through somatic exercises.
• Students learn a way to stop fighting with others and how to be successful in life as someone who knows how to be assertive (non-aggressive) and lead with a positive mind.
• Students learn how to focus one’s mind and body within the present moment to perform the technique with connection and self control.
• To learn that fun and being focused can go together in the same activity. Focusing should not mean cutting one’s self off from the natural desire to enjoy life for kids or adults.