Children and the Martial Arts: an Aikido Point of View
Written by Gaku Homma
Why Do We Recommend Aikido at Nippon Kan for Kids?
If your child says he or she wants to practice a martial art, you might first
think of Karate, Kung Fu or Taekwondo; martial arts that focus on kicking, punching and
competition. Are these skills you really want your kids to learn? It is not like the
movies, and your child will not become a super star by practicing these arts. Learning
predatory physical techniques leads to developing predatory attitudes towards others,
traits that we avoid in our Youth Program at Nippon Kan.
Aikido has no tournaments. In Aikido, we teach how to work with a partner, not how to fight against them. Aikido develops physical coordination and balance while teaching young people how to find resolutions without conflict or damage to another. There is no kicking or punching training in Aikido at Nippon Kan, we teach all of our students, both young and old how to work together to complete techniques together for the benefit of all.
Training young and growing bodies to kick and punch can lead to elbow, shoulder and knee problems later in life. Aikido movement is circular, connected and spontaneous; it is not based on repetitious kata movements that children memorize to win a prize. Our dojo is not a boot camp. Homma Kancho says, “When the kids first come to class, it is enough just to let them play. As they find themselves, they will be drawn toward and adopt Aikido movement naturally. Aikido Nippon Kan’s Youth Program respects a student’s individuality and natural learning capabilities”.
Nippon Kan’s teaching methods have been very popular with parent that understand the philosophy and methods we use to teach Aikido and we invite you and your child to stop by to watch a class any Saturday 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Our instructor and office staff will be on hand to answer any other questions you might have. Enrollment in our Youth Program is on-going for young people 7-15 years of age.
Children and the Martial Arts: An Aikido Point of View has full copyrights of all text and images and all rights are reserved.
Gaku Homma
Nippon Kan Founder
Author of Aikido Sketch Diary, Aikido for Life, Children and the Martial Arts, an Aikido Point of View, The Structure of Aikido and The Folk Art of Japanese Country Cooking; a Traditional Diet for Today’s World.
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read this book in pdf format (requires Adobe Reader)
For more information on our Youth Program classes
http://www.nippon-kan.org/classes/childrens_classes.html