As we enter the month of September, students all across the El Paso area are quickly settling into the flow of things. The stress of school, homework, extracurricular activities, and friendship can wear down on the mind and spirit of students of all ages. This is where aikido youth classes come into play. By participating in aikido lessons specially designed for the youth, your child will be able to find focus while working out mind and body. Aikido can be seen as both a philosophy and martial art. Unlike karate or taekwondo, aikido is completely defensive. Students learn to use the force of their aggressors to defend themselves while protecting the aggressor from serious injury. Continue reading to find out how aikido can benefit your child’s life!
After School Aikido Youth Classes to Improve Academics
Many studies have shown that after-school sports can lead to better grades and more positive academic standing. Aikido, unlike soccer, football, basketball, or tennis, is a martial art that combines physical training with philosophy. The main tenant of aikido is non-resistance making it less about competition and more about finding internal balance and peace. One can see other sports as incredibly competitive and upsetting (if the child’s team were to lose, the child might feel responsible for not scoring the winning goal. This can lead to negative ramifications in the child’s life). But when it comes to aikido youth lessons, practitioners (also known as aikidoka) seek the path of non-resistance and thus avoid becoming bogged down in competition. Instead of being trained to beat others, aikidoka are trained to learn the perceive the correct path. This can assist students of aikido in academics, as well.
Learning Self-Defense from a Young Age
Aikidoka are able to learn a positive style of self-defense. Bullying is still rampant in schools across the world. If your child is facing issues at school, aikido can provide a form of self-defense that won’t result in any injuries to your child or the attacker. Through aikido, the practitioner makes use of the active attack that’s directed towards him or her. When a child partakes in aikido youth classes, she will learn self-defense without becoming overly aggressive. Aikido is a way of peace, self-discipline, and self-respect. If you’d like to learn more about what Aikido of El Paso has to offer, give us a call!