| Aikido for Kids in Westchester, NY - Martial Arts & Self Defense - Kids Activities & Classes |
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General information on Aikido is available starting from the home page and information on other Martial Arts is available
in the All Martial Arts Section. This section, however, is dedicated to martial arts training from the perspective of the
child, which is different than the adult perspective.
Options for Children's Martial Arts in Westchester
As discussed below, the majority of options for children's self defense classes in Westchester comprise Karate, Tae
Kwon Do, Jujitsu, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, etc. These options may not be most appropriate for children, as even their most
basic techniques are quite damaging and children, in the heat of the moment, may not know when it is appropriate they
be applied. This results in an increased likelihood of unnecessary injury to children, which can be a very emotionally
disturbing incident for the offending child. Unfortunately, it is typical that only the most advanced practitioners of these
arts recognize these risks for children, and so children's classes in these arts are prevalent. Professional educators,
however, have grown wary of pre-teenage children with martial arts skills. The circumstances where these risk factors
are legitimately mitigated do exist, but contrary to popular opinion, this is so rare that it probably does not exist within
Westchester County. Please note that we do not maintain a preference of one martial art program over another for
adults, but for children the situation is different. That said, the Scarsdale community is in the unique position of being the
only area where both Aikido classes and Judo classes are available for children. These two martial arts programs are
probably more appropriate given the emotional self control typical of children.
in the All Martial Arts Section. This section, however, is dedicated to martial arts training from the perspective of the
child, which is different than the adult perspective.
Options for Children's Martial Arts in Westchester
As discussed below, the majority of options for children's self defense classes in Westchester comprise Karate, Tae
Kwon Do, Jujitsu, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, etc. These options may not be most appropriate for children, as even their most
basic techniques are quite damaging and children, in the heat of the moment, may not know when it is appropriate they
be applied. This results in an increased likelihood of unnecessary injury to children, which can be a very emotionally
disturbing incident for the offending child. Unfortunately, it is typical that only the most advanced practitioners of these
arts recognize these risks for children, and so children's classes in these arts are prevalent. Professional educators,
however, have grown wary of pre-teenage children with martial arts skills. The circumstances where these risk factors
are legitimately mitigated do exist, but contrary to popular opinion, this is so rare that it probably does not exist within
Westchester County. Please note that we do not maintain a preference of one martial art program over another for
adults, but for children the situation is different. That said, the Scarsdale community is in the unique position of being the
only area where both Aikido classes and Judo classes are available for children. These two martial arts programs are
probably more appropriate given the emotional self control typical of children.
Scarsdale Aikido
4 Gray Rock Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-574-6498
For Email, see
Contact Us below
4 Gray Rock Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-574-6498
For Email, see
Contact Us below
Contents on this Page:
Bullet Points
Why Aikido as opposed to other arts? - For adults we do not prefer one art over another. For children, the case is different. Understand why...
Age Range
Program
Bullet Points
Why Aikido as opposed to other arts? - For adults we do not prefer one art over another. For children, the case is different. Understand why...
Age Range
Program
In a Nutshell (Page Contents)
As far as kids activities and programs are concerned, martial arts training is uniquely positioned to provide a sense of wholeness as a human
being while implanting a profound sense of ethics and proper values. Children learn to help those who wish to harm them from an early age, a
truly difficult task, and see where this approach is actually more effective for everyone involved. They also develop the confidence and discipline
to see this task through to fruition. Progress is slow and subtle, as the children study and learn through practice that having a constructive
attitude towards others is the most effective manner in which to deal with all sorts of conflicts. In academia, we think we learn by reading and
studying, and then we have a degree. However, reflexes never develop with this approach in self defense, as only the intellectual mind is
involved. By utilizing practice and digesting what is learned over time, the child learns to see the benefits of the principles of the art, and their
underlying mental infrastructure may change. Again, progress may be slow and subtle due largely to developmental issues, as we merely create
an environment where there are enjoyable activities for kids and allow them to grow at the pace comfortable to their own development, but
profound benefits do accrue over time. When children have questions regarding the principles of the art, they learn to see the answers in bits and
pieces.
Benefits:
- Self Defense
- Sword & staff for interested children
- Discipline & self confidence
- Coordination, centering and balancing
- Learn how to fall without injury
- Learn self defense without use of damaging strikes that may do unnecessarily harm
- Emphasizes the power and effectiveness of intelligent compassion to yield both results and genuine happiness in life
As far as kids activities and programs are concerned, martial arts training is uniquely positioned to provide a sense of wholeness as a human
being while implanting a profound sense of ethics and proper values. Children learn to help those who wish to harm them from an early age, a
truly difficult task, and see where this approach is actually more effective for everyone involved. They also develop the confidence and discipline
to see this task through to fruition. Progress is slow and subtle, as the children study and learn through practice that having a constructive
attitude towards others is the most effective manner in which to deal with all sorts of conflicts. In academia, we think we learn by reading and
studying, and then we have a degree. However, reflexes never develop with this approach in self defense, as only the intellectual mind is
involved. By utilizing practice and digesting what is learned over time, the child learns to see the benefits of the principles of the art, and their
underlying mental infrastructure may change. Again, progress may be slow and subtle due largely to developmental issues, as we merely create
an environment where there are enjoyable activities for kids and allow them to grow at the pace comfortable to their own development, but
profound benefits do accrue over time. When children have questions regarding the principles of the art, they learn to see the answers in bits and
pieces.
Benefits:
- Self Defense
- Sword & staff for interested children
- Discipline & self confidence
- Coordination, centering and balancing
- Learn how to fall without injury
- Learn self defense without use of damaging strikes that may do unnecessarily harm
- Emphasizes the power and effectiveness of intelligent compassion to yield both results and genuine happiness in life
Why Aikido? (Page Contents)
When most people think of self defense classes for children, the local Karate or Tae Kwon dojo is the first reflex. They will learn confidence,
discipline, centering and balance and walk away with sufficient skill to handle the bullies they encounter. However, this knee jerk reaction for
children may not be best.
These benefits for the other arts may very well be true, but it is equally true of Aikido. The difference lies in a subtle but important distinction in
the underlying philosophy. The point of all martial arts training ultimately is to build the character of the individual practitioner. However, there are
different paths among different arts. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, many forms of Kung Fu, Ju Jitsu and Krav Maga all begin by teaching how to disable
an attacker. The techniques are harsh and dangerous. We all know that the individual instructors emphasize the self defense aspects of these
arts, teaching children only to use it if absolutely necessary and never tell other people about their knowledge or skills. That said, how many times
has little Jane or Johnny, an excitable 8 year old, failed to heed such warnings and gone off jumping, kicking and doing other cool stuff. When
adults aren't around, the children don't always have the control to listen to such sound advice. When a real combat situation occurs, the
excitement and lack of control is exacerbated. Children must learn to maintain a peaceful attitude as they learn the damaging techniques, so they
will be better controlled when they must decide how much force to use.
Aikido is a very different martial art. The purpose of Aikido, as developed by the founder, was as a form of practice to bring peace to mankind.
How is learning to fight a method to bring peace? This is the fundamental point. The founder's realization was that true Budo (the path of the
warrior) is love. Real power in self defense is derived from caring for our fellow human beings, not learning how to break their bones or knock
them unconscious. This profound truth is taught from the onset in Aikido, thus emphasizing the means to avoid the physical confrontation first.
Techniques are not designed to injure or disable the attacker, but to control them so neither you nor the attacker are harmed. To the extent lethal
force is genuinely needed for self defense, the practitioner should be able to figure out how to implement such techniques on their own. They are
not taught. Concern for the well being of the attacker is emphasized from the beginning, as opposed to other arts where that comes in much later.
If this is supposed to be more effective than learning to maim and kill people in self defense, then why isn't this approach used in Karate, Tae
Kwon Do, etc? The fact is, different people have different dispositions. Some people begin their training in martial arts with a good deal of
insecurity and nothing but a desire to learn self defense quickly. They would look at Aikido, where the emphasis is on controlling rather than
harming the attacker, and decide very quickly the art is useless. The fact is, the power of Aikido is very subtle. The art is extremely lethal, but that
aspect is not taught as mentioned above. But some people do not look for these subtleties. For quick self defense, just add water, Karate, Tae
Kwon Do, etc. appear the better option immediately to people with such a disposition. In those arts, after sufficient confidence is instilled, they
begin to train students to build their character as in Aikido. This may take quite a few years for an adult, however. So, in short, Aikido is the direct
method in martial arts training whereas other arts use an expedient with the intention of arriving at the same place, ultimately.
What does this mean for children? For adults, an expedient such as that described above is not a problem. However, for children it very well may
be. You may wish to think about how much self control your child has in play as well as under stress before embarking on a martial art that
employs very damaging methods for children to use on each other in self defense. The fact is, Aikido and Judo are probably better alternatives
for children up to the age of 15 or so.
When most people think of self defense classes for children, the local Karate or Tae Kwon dojo is the first reflex. They will learn confidence,
discipline, centering and balance and walk away with sufficient skill to handle the bullies they encounter. However, this knee jerk reaction for
children may not be best.
These benefits for the other arts may very well be true, but it is equally true of Aikido. The difference lies in a subtle but important distinction in
the underlying philosophy. The point of all martial arts training ultimately is to build the character of the individual practitioner. However, there are
different paths among different arts. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, many forms of Kung Fu, Ju Jitsu and Krav Maga all begin by teaching how to disable
an attacker. The techniques are harsh and dangerous. We all know that the individual instructors emphasize the self defense aspects of these
arts, teaching children only to use it if absolutely necessary and never tell other people about their knowledge or skills. That said, how many times
has little Jane or Johnny, an excitable 8 year old, failed to heed such warnings and gone off jumping, kicking and doing other cool stuff. When
adults aren't around, the children don't always have the control to listen to such sound advice. When a real combat situation occurs, the
excitement and lack of control is exacerbated. Children must learn to maintain a peaceful attitude as they learn the damaging techniques, so they
will be better controlled when they must decide how much force to use.
Aikido is a very different martial art. The purpose of Aikido, as developed by the founder, was as a form of practice to bring peace to mankind.
How is learning to fight a method to bring peace? This is the fundamental point. The founder's realization was that true Budo (the path of the
warrior) is love. Real power in self defense is derived from caring for our fellow human beings, not learning how to break their bones or knock
them unconscious. This profound truth is taught from the onset in Aikido, thus emphasizing the means to avoid the physical confrontation first.
Techniques are not designed to injure or disable the attacker, but to control them so neither you nor the attacker are harmed. To the extent lethal
force is genuinely needed for self defense, the practitioner should be able to figure out how to implement such techniques on their own. They are
not taught. Concern for the well being of the attacker is emphasized from the beginning, as opposed to other arts where that comes in much later.
If this is supposed to be more effective than learning to maim and kill people in self defense, then why isn't this approach used in Karate, Tae
Kwon Do, etc? The fact is, different people have different dispositions. Some people begin their training in martial arts with a good deal of
insecurity and nothing but a desire to learn self defense quickly. They would look at Aikido, where the emphasis is on controlling rather than
harming the attacker, and decide very quickly the art is useless. The fact is, the power of Aikido is very subtle. The art is extremely lethal, but that
aspect is not taught as mentioned above. But some people do not look for these subtleties. For quick self defense, just add water, Karate, Tae
Kwon Do, etc. appear the better option immediately to people with such a disposition. In those arts, after sufficient confidence is instilled, they
begin to train students to build their character as in Aikido. This may take quite a few years for an adult, however. So, in short, Aikido is the direct
method in martial arts training whereas other arts use an expedient with the intention of arriving at the same place, ultimately.
What does this mean for children? For adults, an expedient such as that described above is not a problem. However, for children it very well may
be. You may wish to think about how much self control your child has in play as well as under stress before embarking on a martial art that
employs very damaging methods for children to use on each other in self defense. The fact is, Aikido and Judo are probably better alternatives
for children up to the age of 15 or so.
Age Range (Page Contents)
Most children younger than 6 do not really have the attention span to gain significant benefits specific to martial arts training. As they don't have
enough coordination to harm each other as seriously as older children, the need for self defense training specifically is limited. With little need
and little benefit, we have not developed any programs for this age range.
From age 6-9, children can develop some of the skills typical of Aikido training. However, they are still quite limited. It is important not to have
very high expectations, but think of this period more as laying the foundation.
Children from age 10-13 begin to develop more fully in the art. Here, we see more progress, but limitations in attention span are still prevalent.
They may begin to participate in the adult classes, primarily with other experienced children of the same age. Children from age 13 up begin to be
more fully integrated into the adult class, the timing dependant upon their maturity. They may continue to train in the children's class and begin to
develop leadership and teaching skills. At the same time, they can begin to train in the adult class to bring more maturity to their practice. The
ranking system between the adult and children's classes is integrated.
Most children younger than 6 do not really have the attention span to gain significant benefits specific to martial arts training. As they don't have
enough coordination to harm each other as seriously as older children, the need for self defense training specifically is limited. With little need
and little benefit, we have not developed any programs for this age range.
From age 6-9, children can develop some of the skills typical of Aikido training. However, they are still quite limited. It is important not to have
very high expectations, but think of this period more as laying the foundation.
Children from age 10-13 begin to develop more fully in the art. Here, we see more progress, but limitations in attention span are still prevalent.
They may begin to participate in the adult classes, primarily with other experienced children of the same age. Children from age 13 up begin to be
more fully integrated into the adult class, the timing dependant upon their maturity. They may continue to train in the children's class and begin to
develop leadership and teaching skills. At the same time, they can begin to train in the adult class to bring more maturity to their practice. The
ranking system between the adult and children's classes is integrated.
The Program (Page Contents)
The program is an integrated class for ages 6-12. The focus is upon evasive movement and multiple attacks, controlling an attacker with simpler
techniques using a throw or pin, and practice in falling. In most encounters between children, evasive movement away from an attack along with a
warning shove will be sufficient to ward of any violence. The attacking child will have the sense the practitioner is trained and more proficient than
themselves, thus giving them the appearance of a poor candidate with which to engage in violence. A more forceful shove or some simple
techniques or distracting strikes become obvious and available after the initial evasive movements to be applied against more persistent attackers.
The program emphasizes these aspects of self defense for children. As such, basic movements are emphasized repetitively, and realistic
techniques for children are taught, often within the context of multiple attacks.
The philosophy of the art is taught in class and through the testing process. Children are given questions and told to investigate the answers with
help from their parents, and consider how these principles apply to their own lives. In this sense, children can learn to apply the principles they
learn through physical techniques to other conflicts in their lives. The ultimate objective is to provide a sense of genuine peace within oneself,
even in the midst of conflict or violence. This approach maximizes the ability of the child to defend themselves while minimizing the risk of
unnecessary harm to other children. The benefits of the lessons learned, applied to other areas of life, can provide children with a profound and
efficient means to accomplish both greater effectiveness and happiness in all aspects of their lives as they grow older.
Training in sword and staff are introduced on a limited basis to familiarize the children with advanced concepts in timing and posture, as well as the
mechanics of the underlying empty handed self defense.
Each class is 45-60 minutes and usually ends with games that are designed to teach certain aspects of the art. There are four classes per week
for a fee of $45 (if you attend less than 9 classes/month, otherwise the fee is $60). Children are encouraged to attend both classes, but one class
per week is sufficient for growth in the art. An advanced class for the older children is designed to help them transition to the adult class.
The program is an integrated class for ages 6-12. The focus is upon evasive movement and multiple attacks, controlling an attacker with simpler
techniques using a throw or pin, and practice in falling. In most encounters between children, evasive movement away from an attack along with a
warning shove will be sufficient to ward of any violence. The attacking child will have the sense the practitioner is trained and more proficient than
themselves, thus giving them the appearance of a poor candidate with which to engage in violence. A more forceful shove or some simple
techniques or distracting strikes become obvious and available after the initial evasive movements to be applied against more persistent attackers.
The program emphasizes these aspects of self defense for children. As such, basic movements are emphasized repetitively, and realistic
techniques for children are taught, often within the context of multiple attacks.
The philosophy of the art is taught in class and through the testing process. Children are given questions and told to investigate the answers with
help from their parents, and consider how these principles apply to their own lives. In this sense, children can learn to apply the principles they
learn through physical techniques to other conflicts in their lives. The ultimate objective is to provide a sense of genuine peace within oneself,
even in the midst of conflict or violence. This approach maximizes the ability of the child to defend themselves while minimizing the risk of
unnecessary harm to other children. The benefits of the lessons learned, applied to other areas of life, can provide children with a profound and
efficient means to accomplish both greater effectiveness and happiness in all aspects of their lives as they grow older.
Training in sword and staff are introduced on a limited basis to familiarize the children with advanced concepts in timing and posture, as well as the
mechanics of the underlying empty handed self defense.
Each class is 45-60 minutes and usually ends with games that are designed to teach certain aspects of the art. There are four classes per week
for a fee of $45 (if you attend less than 9 classes/month, otherwise the fee is $60). Children are encouraged to attend both classes, but one class
per week is sufficient for growth in the art. An advanced class for the older children is designed to help them transition to the adult class.
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Class Schedule: Aikido Meditation