Aiki Kodomo Kenshukai 2010 – Educators Workshop #3

Review and Discussion of the Kids Classes, moderated by Aviv Goldsmith

Aviv Goldsmith, then 5th dan, MS, was introduced to Aikido as a teen at the New York Aikikai. Some years later, he began practicing seriously and has been teaching Aikido since 1989. In 2002, he became Dojo Cho at the non-profit Aikido in Fredericksburg where he instructs a growing children and adult program in a fantastic new “green” dojo on 20 acres. Aviv Sensei currently serves on the board of the Takemusu Aikido Association. He moderates the discussion reviewing the two kids classes and input on teaching from other seminar participants.

Fostering Retention in the Dojo with Bill Gray

Bill Gray, BSEE, then 4th dan, has been teaching Aikido to children for over 25years and has been practicing Aikido for more than 35. Child enrollment in his Redmond, Washington, dojo typically numbers over 100! The children’s program at Aikido Academy for Children and Adults incorporates positive reinforcement and fun focusing games with Aikido techniques to help many children achieve a better level of focus at home and in the classroom. Bill Sensei has written in Aikido Journal about the readiness of teens to become black belts. Many of his students have graduated to the dan ranks! Bill Sensei presents “Fostering Retention in the Dojo” which is full of tips to make any dojo’s kids program successful.

Drills to Develop Ukemi Skills with Sara Gerhart Snell

Sara Gerhart Snell, MA, then 3rd dan, is the Children & Teens Program Director at Two Cranes Aikido in Seattle. She began her training in 1998 and in the past 22 years has expanded her role from teaching children to designing and directing the program. As Director, she overseas 10 classes per week for 75 children and teens ages 4 – 18 as well as 7 teachers and 10 assistants.   Sara is a co-founder of the non-profit, Two Cranes Institute, that extends Aikido’s philosophy and techniques outside the dojo to schools, community centers, therapists, businesses, etc. Sara presents ukemi skills and drills, “Rolling for Life,” focusing on the teaching methods used at Two Cranes Aikido to fall down and get up. The act of rolling is presented as a physical, spiritual, and energetic act.  The ability to “roll with the punches” is framed as a metaphor for responding successfully to the challenges of daily life.

Test Preparation and Testing for Kids with Aimee Bel

Aimee Bel, then 3rd dan, co-instructs the children classes at Zenshinkan Dojo in Worcester, Massachusetts. She has a great deal of experience working with young people as a high school history teacher, elementary school drama teacher, soccer coach, and through youth leadership development work. She has been teaching children’s Aikido classes since the year 2000. Aimee will share some of the structural supports used in her dojo, including a card system for test preparation and their approach to behavioral intervention, which has been tremendously powerful in the lives of some students.

Verbal Aikido Practices by Aviv Goldsmith

Aviv Sensei presents a provacative exercise handed down from Teryy Dobson Sensei about “blending” with negative and positive verbal energy. This powerful practice, and another that is presented, helps students take Aiki principles off the mat and into the world.

Non-Violent Communication – The Power of Words with Sharon Seymour

Sharon Seymour, MLS, then 4th dan, has been teaching children since 1984. After teaching youths at Nippon Kan in Denver she went on to found the AikidoKids! program at Katsujinken Dojo in Prescott, Arizona, in 1997. Sharon Sensei also initiated the AikidoKids! program at Aikido at the Center in Tucson. She presents “The Power of Words,” utilizing her experience with Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-Violent Communications. Sharon Sensei wanted to find a way to have verbal communication on the mat “be Aiki” so students receive a consistent message during practice.

Games, Games, Games, moderated by Martin Katz

Martin Katz, the 5th dan, began his Aikido training in 1974 at the San Diego Sheriffs Aikikai under John Damian Sensei. He joined the Aikido Association of America with Shihan Fumio Toyoda in 1990. Katz Sensei has taught children and adults since 1978, employing an eternal enthusiasm combined with a theatrically innovative style. His philosophy is born out of his love of the art and his reverence of all the teachers/students that have shared the path. Martin Sensei facilitates a fun and fast-moving program on “Games, Games, Games” where all participants are invited to share their favorite Aikido games with the group.

Organizing Gasshuku and Other Special Events with Rob Kent

Robert Kent, MA, then 4th dan, was the founder of Aikidokids.com. Kent Sensei has an MA in philosophy from the Claremont Graduate School. In addition to 18 years running the youth program at Aikido West in Redwood City, California, he is Program Director at Camp Susquehannock in Pennsylvania, where he has been working with young teenagers for more than 30 years. He serves as president of Aiki Extensions.  Kent Sensei shares his experience organizing an event for teens in cooperation with other dojos.

Youth Class Part 1 with Bill Gray

Bill Sensei teaches the first of the youth classes, utilizing methods that have been proven at his dojo in Redmond, Washington.

Youth Class Part 2 with Martin Katz

Martin Sensei teaches the second of the youth classes, utilizing fun and proven methods that have been proven at his dojo in San Diego, California.

Review and Discussion of the Youth Classes, moderated by Aviv Goldsmith

This Roundtable Discussion focuses on teaching for Youths and also solicits new ideas from the instructor participants.

Behavioral Disorders and Methods with Brian Hill and Josh Paul

Josh Paul, then 3rd dan, has been the head instructor of Jikishinkan’s youth program since 2005. The program serves approximately 25 students ages 6–13 and offers four classes per week year round. The program emphasizes cooperative learning, basic body movements and techniques, personal responsibility, and developing confidence and self- and situational awareness. Josh shares his experiences working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Aikido, as a form of physical communication, has much to offer children with ASD. This presentation, after providing a brief overview of ASD, its variable characteristics and manifestations, and available treatments, focuses on aikido exercises such as solo and paired ki exercises, taisabaki toshu exercises, ukemi, and games appropriate for children with ASD.

Brian Hill, then 4th dan, began studying aikido in 1996. Brian began teaching aikido at the Downtown Campus of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the fall of 2001, and began calling his dojo River City Aikido in the spring of 2005 when he commenced teaching Aikido to children. At that time he piloted a therapeutic martial arts program for working with severely emotionally disturbed children at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children. Brian is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has practiced psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and their families. Brian presents on therapeutic approaches to kids with emotional, behavioral, & developmental disorders and give suggestions for integrating special needs kids into the dojo.

Challenging Your Ideas to Revamp Your Program with Gary Small

Gary Small rocks your world with an honest assessment about how he transformed the kids program at his own dojo and encourages instructors to take a hard look at what they are doing and move forward in a new and more productive way.

Seminar Wrap-Up with Aviv Goldsmith

Aviv Sensei moderates a discussion among the instructors focused on reflection and prospection for their kids programs.

DVD-ROM Resource Materials Binder PDF
Included in the DVD is a PDF of the resource material binder provided to all seminar participants which includes some bonus materials.