Aikido is the ideal Art for Children
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The study of Aikido offers insights into profound lessons of human relationships; especially relationships with children. It fosters relational skills left uncultivated by our educational system and culture. Neither team sport nor individual sport offers a comparable balancing of energy that must occur between Aikido practice partners.
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Aikido does not prepare young people for martial arts competition. The art neither promotes a fighting attitude nor confrontational sparring exercises. Students do not use disabling strikes to stop an attack, break boards, harm their bodies, or tolerate pain to advance in rank. They do not try to look mean, use a rigid stance, wear protective equipment, perform empty-handed kata, beat up the other students, or make enemies. Aikido never produces or requires losers and winners. There are no tournaments, and no trophies are given as rewards. Students develop at their own pace without being forced to keep up with others. Students bow without having to keep their eyes on their training partner. This expresses trust, respect, appreciation, and humility.
Aikido teaches students to cooperate with each other to solve problems. The paired practice of techniques teaches young people how to work cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal. Young people learn nonviolent alternatives for dealing with conflict. Such alternatives include increasing their understanding and appreciation of the cultures and religious beliefs of different ethnic groups and in reinforcing the value of the family.
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Young students also learn how to reduce their chances of being a victim of crime by learning to recognize the danger signs of an impending confrontation. Avoidance of dangerous situations is the first rule of behavior. The training students receive to improve their mental alertness results in clearer perception, better thinking, and quicker reactions. These advantages of Aikido training lead young students to make better choices concerning their safety and the safety of others.
Youngsters have unlimited potential for learning. When they are motivated through Aikido, they become reachable and teachable. If participation starts at an early age, the young student will learn and retain beneficial attitudes and behaviors. Why would parents have their treasured child practice a martial art whose environment endorses and produces aggressive violent behavior? Angry and unhappy young people, if left unchanged, can become angry and unhappy adults. Aikido’s goal is not to conquer, dominate, overcome, or eliminate anyone. Its objective is to develop and refine the child’s ki for an optimistic, happy and active life.
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