"Aikido practice encourages students to learn how to get along. These teachings may include how to cooperate, how to defend ourselves, how to develop coordination, how to respond spontaneously to events as they arise before us. We learn skills to resolve an argument, roll when falling off a bicycle or turn to avoid a punch coming at our face."   Kimberly Richardson

Two Cranes Aikido offers a fun and dynamic training program for children and teens. Our black belt teaching staff is passionate about working with our students. We offer children and teens a safe and inspiring learning environment to develop calm minds, alert bodies and enlivened spirits.

We emphasize learning how to get along. Aikido practice combines a dynamic physical practice and techniques of self-defense with the inner practice of centering and focusing one's attention.

Young people find that Aikido training helps them resolve conflict nonviolently, improve physical coordination and develop a positive approach to life's challenges, while having fun.

The social benefits are numerous. Parents appreciate the emphasis on safety, good manners, focus and kindness. The skills that children learn in Aikido practice assist them in dealing effectively with the joys and challenges of daily life. Parents are delighted to see their children listen attentively and display good posture.

Aikido helps children at home and at school. Aikido training lets children practice movements that invite them to blend with their world in a positive manner. The rolling drills, self-defense techniques and imaginative games assist them in absorbing body and mind knowledge with more ease. They learn to rely on their abilities to assert themselves. Self-confidence and self-discipline grow with their commitment to practice.

Athletic benefits. Training increases coordination, flexibility and balance. Aikido invites children to run, roll, jump and fall. It enhances their physical resiliency and complements other sports activities.

Children need not be athletic to begin practice. Often the techniques of Aikido help us find comfortable ways to be in our bodies and to move naturally. Aikido works for big and little people alike. Because it doesn't rely solely on strength to be effective, children of all sizes and shapes can find success in their training.

Studying new ideas, making friends and using one's imagination are part of growing up. As children's physical and intuitive skills deepen, they begin studying the more serious side of martial arts.

Self-defense is the art of sensing the state of things energetically before they materialize. Kids do this naturally. We invite them to notice their excitement, their intuitive hunches and discomfort, and to mark these sensations as signs that certain actions are required to create safety.


The self-defense emphasis they learn helps them diffuse aggression and conflict not just physically, but verbally and emotionally as well. They have opportunities to challenge themselves in unexpected ways, like asserting themselves in ways they previously thought impossible or handling a bully in a calm and confident manner without anger or force. They become advocates for peace on the mat and in their daily lives. They learn about being in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing, even without reward. They build respect and compassion for themselves and their partners.

Other benefits Aikido offers our students:

• How to live in our bodies-children learn to know how they feel by paying attention to their emotional and intuitive world, and listening to their hunches. 
• The art of cooperation
• The value of play
• Good manners
• The power of daily practice-children learn how to persevere when they just feel like quitting, and understand that if they choose to stick with it, they will advance to whole new level.
• How to work with anxiety and aggression in self and others

How to Begin?

Come watch a class! Visitors are always welcome at Two Cranes Aikido. It's the best way to understand what Aikido is about and whether it fits your philosophy, lifestyle and family schedule.
 
Look at our schedule and find the appropriate age class for your child. You can call ahead or show up in advance of the class and speak with the teacher. We'll show you around, answer your questions, and offer you a few insights about training in Aikido.

Begin at any time! Though our class schedule is broken into 10-week sessions, we allow students to start at any time. We will pro-rate the fees after the second week of classes.

Do I need anything special to begin? No. After watching a class, simply fill out our registration forms, pay your child's tuition and bring him or her to the next class with sweatpants and a t-shirt. Training uniforms are available for sale at the dojo when you are ready to buy one.

Children's Classes

Mini Cranes! Class for 4- to 6-year olds. Using focused play, this class introduces Aikido movement and awareness skills to young children. We work on spatial awareness, rolling, falling and basic Aikido techniques. Cooperation and respect for each other are emphasized and taught through various movement practices and games in a safe and fun environment. This class prepares your son or daughter to transition into our children's classes. 

General Class for 6- to 8-year old students. These introductory classes focus on the fundamental movement skills in Aikido: rolling, knee-walking (suwari-waza), centering and blending. We emphasize self-discipline, energy awareness, leadership skills and fun. In addition, students learn the basic techniques of Aikido and the importance of posture and stance.

Our testing process is designed to enhance your child's confidence and self-esteem. Colored belts are awarded at the discretion of the instructor for progress made in training. Each child is given personal attention in this process. All levels are welcome to train in this class.

General Class for 9- to 13-year old students. These classes are designed for students to experience the fundamental techniques and philosophy of Aikido. Cooperation, focused attention and conflict resolution strategies are emphasized. We teach basic and more advanced techniques, partner practices, rolls, falls and knee-walking. Playing non-competitive games is part of the learning process. We introduce basic staff and sword handling.  These classes are a bridge for students moving from our children's to our teen's classes. 

General Class for 6 to 12-year old students. This class combines the two age groups of children allowing them to learn from each other. Older students develop mentoring skills, while younger students are encouraged to practice cooperation and focus with all age groups. Variations of basic and more advanced techniques are taught, as well as self-defense skills, physical resilience and spatial awareness. There is always time for a variety of non-competitive games. Students from all levels are welcome to attend.

Tuition covers two classes per week. Students 6 to 12 years old are encouraged to attend two classes per week in order to develop a sense of practice and refine their skills.

Teen Classes

General Classes for 12- to 18-year old students. We offer teenagers an introduction to Aikido as the art of peace. Emphasis on falling and blending skills invites students to experience the win-win aspect of Aikido. The conflict resolution focus encourages students to handle stress under pressure in a calm and controlled manner. We include training with swords and staff to increase awareness and sensitivity to oncoming energy. As students' skills increase, so does their ability to handle the responsibility of the more advanced techniques. Experienced students are challenged by complex movement patterns and multiple-attack drills.

Teens are encouraged to attend two classes per week in order to develop a sense of practice and to develop their skills. Tuition covers two classes per week. Teens may also train in an adult class, on occasion, with permission from the instructor. This is particularly useful to students with more experience.