Aikido is for Young People, Too
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 younger 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.
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 and whether it fits your philosophy, lifestyle and family schedule.
Look at our schedule and find the appropriate age class for your child. 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.
Youth Classes
Mini-Cranes (4 - 6 year olds)
Mini-crane classes use focused play to introduce 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 is emphasized and learned through various movement practices and games in a safe and fun environment.
Children (6 - 12 year olds)
These general classes for children combine all ranks and age groups of children allowing them to learn from each other. We cover fundamental Aikido movement skills, such as 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. Variations of basic and more advanced techniques are taught, as well as self-defense skills, physical resilience and spatial awareness. Beginning staff handling is introduced.
There is always time for a variety of non-competitive games, as playing those games is part of the learning process.
More experienced children are encouraged to model and study the qualities of being an excellent student.
Teens (12 - 18 year olds)
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. A focus on conflict resolution 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.
Tuition covers two classes per week. Teens are encouraged to attend two classes per week in order to develop a sense of practice and to develop their skills. Teens may also train in an adult class with permission from the instructor.
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.
Class Schedule
Click here for the current class schedule.